The present proposal is designed to provide the applicant, who has a strong background in classical mechanical engineering, with knowledge and experience in the emerging fields of photomedicine and biomedical optics required to launch a successful independent research career in biomedical engineering. The proposed studies investigate the appropriate use of yellow light emitted by pulsed dye lasers in combination with short cryogen spurts to improve the therapeutic outcome of port wine stains (PWS) in infants and young children. PWS are a congenital, progressive vascular malformation of the dermis that occurs in approximately 0.7% of children (approximately 1,500,000 individuals in the United States and 32 million people worldwide). unfortunately, two major problems prevent the use of high laser dosages required to permanently remove PWS vessels in infants and young children, namely: (A) the efficiency of cryogen spray cooling (CSC) nozzles is insufficient to provide the necessary epidermal protection; and (B) all patients are treated with CSC and laser light doses based on clinical judgment of the physician, without considering individual variations in epidermal melanin concentration and PWS depth and thickness. To address these problems, four studies are proposed: (1) design of new cryogen atomizing nozzles to maximize CSC efficiency; (2) development of new heat diffusion, light absorption, and thermal tissue damage numerical models to evaluate instantaneous skin temperature profiles and epidermal and PWS damage; (3) optimization of CSC and laser parameters to deliver higher energy to the PWS while preserving the epidermis; and (4) incorporation of visible reflectance spectroscopy (V.S.) and pulsed photothermal radiometry (PER.) measurements on PWS patients into numerical model to predict therapeutic outcome based, on realistic clinical data. The results of the proposed studies will greatly enhance current PWS laser therapy, and provide a much more effective and safer approach to clinical management of infants and young children. The support provided by a OR. award will provide the applicant with the protected period to conduct high-quality research under the guidance of his mentor while having full access to the outstanding facilities available at the Beckman Laser Institute (BLS) and School of Engineering (SOE) at The University of California, Irvine (UCI). Additionally, the applicant will receive instruction through formal coursework and conference participation, acquire new knowledge, such as transport of light in living tissues, and develop new skills, such as the application of clinical optoelectronic and laser equipment. Ultimately, the combination of research, coursework, and clinic experience, will provide the applicant with the preparation to launch an independent and successful research career in biomedical engineering.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01HD042057-05
Application #
6859361
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHD1-MCHG-B (AG))
Program Officer
Nitkin, Ralph M
Project Start
2002-03-01
Project End
2007-02-28
Budget Start
2005-03-01
Budget End
2006-02-28
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$115,449
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Riverside
Department
Engineering (All Types)
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
627797426
City
Riverside
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92521
Chen, Jennifer K; Ghasri, Pedram; Aguilar, Guillermo et al. (2012) An overview of clinical and experimental treatment modalities for port wine stains. J Am Acad Dermatol 67:289-304
Franco, Walfre; Childers, Michael; Nelson, J Stuart et al. (2007) Laser surgery of port wine stains using local vacuum [corrected] pressure: changes in calculated energy deposition (Part II). Lasers Surg Med 39:118-27
Franco, Walfre; Liu, Jie; Romero-Mendez, Ricardo et al. (2007) Extent of lateral epidermal protection afforded by a cryogen spray against laser irradiation. Lasers Surg Med 39:414-21
Childers, Michael A; Franco, Walfre; Nelson, J Stuart et al. (2007) Laser surgery of port wine stains using local vacuum pressure: changes in skin morphology and optical properties (Part I). Lasers Surg Med 39:108-17
Jia, Wangcun; Choi, Bernard; Franco, Walfre et al. (2007) Treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions using multiple-intermittent cryogen spurts and two-wavelength laser pulses: numerical and animal studies. Lasers Surg Med 39:494-503
Zhang, Rong; Ramirez-San-Juan, Julio C; Choi, Bernard et al. (2006) Thermal responses of ex vivo human skin during multiple cryogen spurts and 1,450 nm laser pulses. Lasers Surg Med 38:137-41
Ramirez-San-Juan, Julio C; Choi, Bernard; Franco, Walfre et al. (2006) Effect of ambient humidity on light transmittance through skin phantoms during cryogen spray cooling. Phys Med Biol 51:113-20
Jia, Wangcun; Aguilar, Guillermo; Verkruysse, Wim et al. (2006) Improvement of port wine stain laser therapy by skin preheating prior to cryogen spray cooling: a numerical simulation. Lasers Surg Med 38:155-62
Aguilar, Guillermo; Franco, Walfre; Liu, Jie et al. (2005) Effects of hypobaric pressure on human skin: implications for cryogen spray cooling (part II). Lasers Surg Med 36:130-5
Franco, Walfre; Liu, Jie; Wang, Guo-Xiang et al. (2005) Radial and temporal variations in surface heat transfer during cryogen spray cooling. Phys Med Biol 50:387-97

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