Temperature dependent refractive index of lipid tissue by optical coherence tomography imaging

Temperature dependent optical properties of lipid tissue verify critical information of tissue dynamics which can be applied to tissue treatment and diagnosis of various pathological features. Current methods of treating lipid rich tissues via heating are associated with post operation complications. Recent studies shows potential of lipid rich tissue removal by cooling. For monitoring cooling procedure and physical and chemical changes in lipid tissue, temperature dependent optical properties in subzero cooling need to be verified. This study designed heat transfer system estimating heat flux by cooling and programmed codes for image and data processing to obtain refractive indices of rodent subcutaneous lipid tissue. Phase transition of lipid tissue was observed and finally verified temperature dependent refractive index coefficient of lipid tissue from 24°C to -10°C.