Engineering challenges in medicine and biotechnology
Optics permeates modern medicine at every level — from a simple fingertip pulse oximeter, through advanced endoscopic and laparoscopic systems, to photodynamic therapy devices, laser surgery, and OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) diagnostics. Each of these devices poses unique design requirements and demands an understanding of how light propagates through biological tissue.
Biological tissue is an optically inhomogeneous scattering medium — modeling light propagation in skin, blood, or tumor tissue requires tools based on Monte Carlo simulations that account for multiple scattering. TracePro offers dedicated tissue optics modeling capabilities, making it the tool of choice for biomedical projects.
At the same time, precision diagnostic instruments — spectrometers, fluorescence microscopes, OCT systems — require advanced imaging optics design with aberration analysis, MTF, and tolerancing. OSLO is the standard tool for designers of such systems.
How does our software support design?
| Product | Role in this area |
|---|---|
 | Tissue optics, endoscopes, pulse oximeters, photodynamic therapy, UV disinfection |
 | Imaging instruments, microscopes, OCT, ophthalmic diagnostic lenses |
 | OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) systems — interferometry and signal detection simulation |
 | Medical fibers in endoscopes and phototerminators — mode and attenuation analysis |
modeling light propagation in tissue for phototherapy
Design assumptions
The project involves analyzing the propagation of 630 nm light, used in photodynamic therapy (PDT), to determine the light energy distribution in tissue and optimize irradiation parameters.
Tissue model
A multilayer tissue model covering the epidermis, dermis, and target tissue was built in the simulation environment. Each layer was assigned appropriate absorption, scattering, and anisotropy coefficients, along with refractive indices, accounting for the properties of blood and diseased tissue.
Monte Carlo simulation
A simulation of the propagation of tens of millions of photons was performed using the Monte Carlo method, determining fluence distribution, energy absorption, and light penetration depth in each tissue layer.
Therapy parameter optimization
The fluence map analysis enabled the selection of light source parameters — such as power, beam diameter, and exposure time — to achieve the appropriate dose in the target area while limiting exposure to healthy tissue.
Verified model
The simulation results made it possible to assess the effectiveness of different irradiation configurations before experimental studies, supporting the design of safer and more effective phototherapy procedures.
Frequently asked questions
Medicine and biotechnology
Does TracePro support models of the optical properties of biological tissue?
Yes. TracePro supports tissue optics models with tissue absorption and scattering parameters — users can import data from the literature or their own measurements and build multilayer models that reproduce actual tissue structure.
Can the software be used in medical device certification (IEC 60601)?
TracePro and OSLO simulations can support the technical documentation of a medical device and verification of the optical design. The choice of validation methodology aligned with IEC 60601-2 should be made together with a quality engineer — our engineer can advise on the use of simulation in this process.
Is OSLO suitable for designing intraocular lenses (IOLs)?
Yes. OSLO is widely used for designing and analyzing intraocular lenses, including aspheric, toric, and multifocal lenses, taking into account eye models (e.g. the Navarro or Liou-Brennan model).
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