Lindley-Hatcher, Hannah (2022) In vivo THz spectroscopy for quantitative skin evaluation. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

Terahertz (THz) light is in the range of electromagnetic waves with frequencies between 0.1 and 10 THz where 1 THz = 1012 Hz, this is in the region between infrared and microwave radiation. There is increasing interest in the potential biomedical applications of THz spectroscopy that take advantage of the sensitivity of THz light to the water content of biological tissues and other associated changes including the presence of cancerous tissue. The low photon energy of THz light means that it is non-ionizing, making THz light particularly attractive for in vivo applications. In this thesis multiple in vivo studies are presented that explore the ability of THz measurements to identify changes in the hydration of the skin. Chapters 1 and 2 provide context to these studies by introducing the present state of the _eld and relevant theory. Chapter 3 explores the effect of variables such as pressure on the THz response of skin and introduces a protocol to reduce the effects of these variables. In Chapter 4 these approaches are applied to test the effects of three different moisturisers on the skin using THz measurements and measurements taken with two commercial devices for skin hydration assessment. In Chapter 5 the effects of different types of patches for transdermal drug delivery on the THz response of skin are investigated, including the recovery of the skin following patch removal. Chapter 6 explores the effect of skin tone and sex on the THz response of skin and the way skin responds to the application of different types of moisturisers. Finally, Chapter 7 summarises the work performed in this thesis and identi- fies areas for further work in the future. In particular, the need to improve imaging speeds and develop non-contact imaging capabilities are both highlighted as important areas to focus on in future work.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	Q Science > QC Physics Q Science > QP Physiology R Medicine > R Medicine (General) T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Terahertz technology, Submillimeter waves, Skin absorption, Transdermal medication, Biomedical engineering
Official Date:	January 2022
Dates:	Date Event January 2022 UNSPECIFIED
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Physics
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	MacPherson, Emma
Sponsors:	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Format of File:	pdf
Extent:	xxii, 136 leaves : illustrations, charts
Language:	eng

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