Hans-Joachim Cappius

Imaging of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Finger Joints by Sagittal Optical Tomography

Summary In early stages of rheumatoid arthritis some changes in joints arise due to an inflammatory process. In the case of transillumination with near infrared light these changes affect the radiation transport in joints. We performed first numerical simulations for a basic approach of a sagittal optical tomographic imaging method that led to promising results. For this purpose, the optical properties of the different tissue types in joints were measured and NMR images were used for geometrical model development and visualisation of rheumatoid arthritis.

First investigations on the use of the system theory in tissue optics

The system theory was developed from the combination of the operational calculus of N. Wiener and the transfer theory of K. Kuepfmueller. The system theory is the basic for the optical transfer function. With the introduction of a so- called transfer (or system) function, the question arose how to apply this theory to problems in optical tissue diagnostics.