Triangulation method for determining capillary blood flow and physical characteristics of the skin

A method capable of measuring blood flow at precise depths within the skin is described. The method determines the static and the dynamic properties o f light that is backscattered to small areas on the surface of the skin at several contiguous locations along the expected trajectory of laser-light, propagation. From observations the method has been shown to be capable of d etermining physical characteristics that are unique to the different layers of the skin. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America.