Development of an optical analysis device using the ray tracing method for the detection of skin infections

The optical spectral analysis of the deep or superficial layers of the skin by optical means for the detection of bacteria has considerable advantages: fast, inexpensive and, above all, no traumatic biopsy. Based on a previous study, we have developed a new model for studying skin and soft tissue infections based on ray tracing. The principle of the system is based on a subdivision into small meshes composed of small cuboid elements, and a set of N isotropic rays which are launched from the emitting end (like the LED light source). Each ray passes through different volumes of elements (dermis, epidermis, etc.) which present the optical and physical characteristics of the different skin layers until this set of rays escapes from the mesh system towards the receiver (such as the photodiode).