Multi-modal molecular diffuse optical tomography system for small animal imaging

Abstract

A multi-modal optical imaging system for quantitative 3D bioluminescence and functional diffuse imaging is presented, which has no moving parts and uses mirrors to provide multi-view tomographic data for image reconstruction. It is demonstrated that through the use of trans-illuminated spectral near infrared measurements and spectrally constrained tomographic reconstruction, recovered concentrations of absorbing agents can be used as prior knowledge for bioluminescence imaging within the visible spectrum. Additionally, the first use of a recently developed multi-view optical surface capture technique is shown and its application to model-based image reconstruction and free-space light modelling is demonstrated. The benefits of model-based tomographic image recovery as compared to 2D planar imaging are highlighted in a number of scenarios where the internal luminescence source is not visible or is confounding in 2D images. The results presented show that the luminescence tomographic imaging method produces 3D reconstructions of individual light sources within a mouse-sized solid phantom that are accurately localised to within 1.5mm for a range of target locations and depths indicating sensitivity and accurate imaging throughout the phantom volume. Additionally the total reconstructed luminescence source intensity is consistent to within 15% which is a dramatic improvement upon standard bioluminescence imaging. Finally, results from a heterogeneous phantom with an absorbing anomaly are presented demonstrating the use and benefits of a multi-view, spectrally constrained coupled imaging system that provides accurate 3D luminescence images.

Compressive sensing based hyperspectral bioluminescence imaging

“…In previous work involving bioluminescence tomographic, surface fluence data is collected using a CCD along with filters for which data is collected individually for each wavelength 11 , making the collection of hyperspectral data unfeasible. Using this new method of data collection, it is possible to collect hyperspectral data whilst using fewer measurements than previously done, which opens the door for high speed data collection as well as having the ability to use and differentiate between multiple light sources of different wavelengths.…”

Surface reconstruction from multiview projection data employing a microlens array-based optical detector: a simulation study

“…Once the surface data have been derived, its reflectance is set to be ideally diffusive (Lambertian surface). 26,27 Considering the size of normal mice (approximately 25 mm in diameter) as well as the depth of field for the individual microlenses, the radius of rotation is set to be 40 mm. The oblique angle between the two detectors is set to be 40 deg in order to maintain the condition that any point on the surface of the imaged object is being seen on either detector (photoconsistency).…”

Three-dimensional transillumination image reconstruction for small animal with new scattering suppression technique

“…The number of experimental animals killed for experimentation would be reduced if we were able to visualize the animals' internal structures non-invasively. In transillumination imaging using near-infrared (NIR) light, we can visualize the location of internal bleeding, infection, and angiogenesis [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Functional imaging is also possible using spectroscopic principles [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23].…”