Three-dimensional reconstruction of rat dermal blood vessels in vivo

We performed imaging and reconstruction of dermal and subdermal blood vessels in a rat skin flap window model. The window model consists of a double thickness of dorsal skin which is sutured to a holding fixture. A 1 cm circle of skin is removed from one thickness, exposing the dermal blood vessels of the opposing side. An optical coherence tomography system operating at 1310 nm was used to image the blood vessels. A series of transverse images of the window model characterized sections of tissue. Off-the-shelf software for desktop and workstation computers was used to preprocess the images, identify and reconstruct blood vessels, and to extract parameters such depth, diameter, and percent volume of blood vessels. Such parameters may be of interest in developing improved treatments for vascular disorders such as port wine stains.