In vivo imaging of skin collagen fibers using Jones matrix-based polarization-sensitive OCT

Collagen fiber organizations in the skin dermis play a significant role in various skin disorders and conditions. Currently, there is a lack of a clinical tool that can assess collagen fibers in real-time and in vivo. Collagen fiber generates birefringence that is highly sensitive to its organization. We apply a Jones matrix-based polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) to assess collagen fiber organization in real-time and in vivo. Previous algorithms in PS-OCT have utilized phase retardation and optic axis orientation for detecting collagen fibers. We have developed an alternative approach based on the elements of the Jones matrix. Our algorithm is relatively simple and less susceptible to noise and the accumulation effect. Various anatomical locations on the face are imaged and analyzed. Our results demonstrate that this approach provides detailed images of the collagen structure in the skin, making it a potential tool for evaluating skin disorders and conditions in the clinic.