2 to 6 mils thick of a synthetic polymeric or natural material was applied to polymer layer 17 for additional structural support this support ring 21 permits the removal of layers 29 and 30 described below without wrinkling the other layers of the patch structure thereby providing structural support for the patch after layers 29 30 are removed when the patch is used as intended layer 17 may include high refractive index lines printed thereon to conduct light to the light source which may contain circuits that control the light output of the source for optimum imaging these lines may also be used to detect backscattered light to indicate presence of tissue or contact with the body surface as a safety feature against inadvertent heating of the body surface the paths are high index lines shown in the drawing as radially extending lines on layer 17 that are formed in the polymeric portion of layer 16 to provide light intensity values at various places of the patch skin interface it should be noted that the aluminum film may also be used to detect the presence of tissue via a change in capacitance caused by the presence with the intervening dielectric.