Influence of Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype and Body Mass Index on Non-invasive Optoacoustic Imaging

Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) is a promising imaging technology that utilizes pulsed laser light. While melanin content in the skin has been reported to influence light-based measurements in pulse oximetry and near-infrared spectroscopy, its effects on MSOT are not well understood. This proposed study aims to investigate how different Fitzpatrick skin phenotypes (FSP) and body mass index (BMI) influence muscle perfusion and oxygenation during arterial occlusion and muscle exercise over time. Healthy volunteers with varying skin tones (as defined by FSP) and BMI will be recruited and subjected to leg arterial occlusion and toe raise exercises. They will then be scanned on different body areas (arms and legs) to assess changes in muscle perfusion and oxygenation using MSOT.