Proof of Concept of an Integrated Laser Irradiation and Thermal/Visible Imaging System for Optimized Photothermal Therapy in Skin Cancer

Laser energy is widely used as a selective photothermal heating agent in cancer treatment, standing out for not relying on ionizing radiation. However, in vivo tests have highlighted the need to develop irradiation techniques that allow precise control over the illuminated area, adapting it to the t...

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Main Authors: Diogo Novas, Alessandro Fortes, Pedro Vieira, João M. P. Coelho
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4495
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author Diogo Novas
Alessandro Fortes
Pedro Vieira
João M. P. Coelho
author_facet Diogo Novas
Alessandro Fortes
Pedro Vieira
João M. P. Coelho
author_sort Diogo Novas
collection DOAJ
description Laser energy is widely used as a selective photothermal heating agent in cancer treatment, standing out for not relying on ionizing radiation. However, in vivo tests have highlighted the need to develop irradiation techniques that allow precise control over the illuminated area, adapting it to the tumor size to further minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue. To address this challenge, a proof of concept based on a laser irradiation system has been designed, enabling control over energy, exposure time, and irradiated area, using galvanometric mirrors. The control software, implemented in Python, employs a set of cameras (visible and infrared) to detect and monitor real-time thermal distributions in the region of interest, transmitting this information to a microcontroller responsible for adjusting the laser power and controlling the scanning process. Image alignment procedures, tunning of the controller’s gain parameters and the impact of the different engineering parameters are illustrated on a dedicated setup. As proof of concept, this approach has demonstrated the ability to irradiate a phantom of black modeling clay within an area of up to 5 cm × 5 cm, from 15 cm away, as well as to monitor and regulate the temperature over time (5 min).
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-e525f113774d478f80a42f850c42c69c2025-08-20T03:32:15ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-07-012514449510.3390/s25144495Proof of Concept of an Integrated Laser Irradiation and Thermal/Visible Imaging System for Optimized Photothermal Therapy in Skin CancerDiogo Novas0Alessandro Fortes1Pedro Vieira2João M. P. Coelho3Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Monte da Caparica, 2825-149 Almada, PortugalDepartamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Monte da Caparica, 2825-149 Almada, PortugalDepartamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Monte da Caparica, 2825-149 Almada, PortugalInstituto de Biofísica e Engenharia Biomédica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, PortugalLaser energy is widely used as a selective photothermal heating agent in cancer treatment, standing out for not relying on ionizing radiation. However, in vivo tests have highlighted the need to develop irradiation techniques that allow precise control over the illuminated area, adapting it to the tumor size to further minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue. To address this challenge, a proof of concept based on a laser irradiation system has been designed, enabling control over energy, exposure time, and irradiated area, using galvanometric mirrors. The control software, implemented in Python, employs a set of cameras (visible and infrared) to detect and monitor real-time thermal distributions in the region of interest, transmitting this information to a microcontroller responsible for adjusting the laser power and controlling the scanning process. Image alignment procedures, tunning of the controller’s gain parameters and the impact of the different engineering parameters are illustrated on a dedicated setup. As proof of concept, this approach has demonstrated the ability to irradiate a phantom of black modeling clay within an area of up to 5 cm × 5 cm, from 15 cm away, as well as to monitor and regulate the temperature over time (5 min).https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4495skin cancer treatmentphotothermal therapylaser irradiation systemscanning opticsgalvanometric mirrorsthermal imaging
spellingShingle Diogo Novas
Alessandro Fortes
Pedro Vieira
João M. P. Coelho
Proof of Concept of an Integrated Laser Irradiation and Thermal/Visible Imaging System for Optimized Photothermal Therapy in Skin Cancer
Sensors
skin cancer treatment
photothermal therapy
laser irradiation system
scanning optics
galvanometric mirrors
thermal imaging
title Proof of Concept of an Integrated Laser Irradiation and Thermal/Visible Imaging System for Optimized Photothermal Therapy in Skin Cancer
title_full Proof of Concept of an Integrated Laser Irradiation and Thermal/Visible Imaging System for Optimized Photothermal Therapy in Skin Cancer
title_fullStr Proof of Concept of an Integrated Laser Irradiation and Thermal/Visible Imaging System for Optimized Photothermal Therapy in Skin Cancer
title_full_unstemmed Proof of Concept of an Integrated Laser Irradiation and Thermal/Visible Imaging System for Optimized Photothermal Therapy in Skin Cancer
title_short Proof of Concept of an Integrated Laser Irradiation and Thermal/Visible Imaging System for Optimized Photothermal Therapy in Skin Cancer
title_sort proof of concept of an integrated laser irradiation and thermal visible imaging system for optimized photothermal therapy in skin cancer
topic skin cancer treatment
photothermal therapy
laser irradiation system
scanning optics
galvanometric mirrors
thermal imaging
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/14/4495
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