Numerical modelling and image reconstruction in diffuse optical tomography

Abstract

The development of diffuse optical tomography as a functional imaging modality has relied largely on the use of model-based image reconstruction. The recovery of optical parameters from boundary measurements of light propagation within tissue is inherently a difficult one, because the problem is nonlinear, ill-posed and ill-conditioned. Additionally, although the measured near-infrared signals of light transmission through tissue provide high imaging contrast, the reconstructed images suffer from poor spatial resolution due to the diffuse propagation of light in biological tissue. The application of model-based image reconstruction is reviewed in this paper, together with a numerical modelling approach to light propagation in tissue as well as generalized image reconstruction using boundary data. A comprehensive review and details of the basis for using spatial and structural prior information are also discussed, whereby the use of spectral and dual-modality systems can improve contrast and spatial resolution.

Transcranial Imaging of Functional Cerebral Hemodynamic Changes in Single Blood Vessels using in vivo Photoacoustic Microscopy

“…The DOI technique is capable of noninvasively assessing changes in cerebral blood volume (CBV), HbO 2 (oxy-hemoglobin), and Hb (deoxy-hemoglobin) in mice in response to peripheral stimuli through intact skulls (Culver et al, 2005). However, the reconstructed images suffer from poor spatial resolution due to the diffusive nature of light in biological tissue (Dehghani et al, 2009). In contrast, LSI can probe the vasomotion and blood flow responses with high spatial resolution (B6.7 Â 6.7 mm 2 ) (Li et al, 2009), but the limited penetration depth of LSI necessitates skull thinning or skull removal in mice (Li et al, 2009).…”

New and emerging tomographic imaging techniques in medical and industrial applications

“…The main advancements in DOT are in brain mapping and breast imaging. This is linked to the image reconstruction paper by Dehghani et al (2009), which played a very important role in the development of optical tomography. In Dehghani et al (2009), different aspects of the image reconstruction of optical tomography are presented.…”

“…This is linked to the image reconstruction paper by Dehghani et al (2009), which played a very important role in the development of optical tomography. In Dehghani et al (2009), different aspects of the image reconstruction of optical tomography are presented. The paper presents some imaging results, demonstrating the current capabilities of single wavelength, spectral and spatial imaging in near infrared, using experimental and patient data.…”

Multiple Target-Specific Molecular Agents for Detection and Image Analysis of Breast Cancer Characteristics in Mice

“…The lack of 3D imaging capability in this study and limited signal penetration depth makes it difficult to conduct detailed analysis of disease tissue in vivo and to detect disease in deep organs. The future of optical imaging in translational research depends on the development of additional dyes with long penetration depth and 3D reconstruction [31, 32]. …”