Time-domain algorithm for single-photon laser-Doppler flowmetry at large interoptode spacing in human bone

A new laser-Doppler flowmeter at large interoptode spacing, based on single-photon counting (single-photon laser-Doppler flowmetry [SP-LDF]) and allowing assessment of blood flow deep in bone tissue, is proposed and implemented. To exploit the advantages of the new SP-LDF hardware, a dedicated simple and efficient time-domain algorithm has been developed. The new algorithm is based on the zero-order moment of the power density spectrum of the ad hoc prefiltered photoelectric current. The SP-LDF has been validated by Monte Carlo simulations, as well as by experimental measurements on a bone tissue phantom for optical flowmeters and on human.