Three-dimensional diffuse optical tomography in the parallel plane transmission geometry: Evaluation of a hybrid frequency domain/continuous wave clinical system for breast imaging

Abstract

Three-dimensional diffuse optical tomography (DOT) of breast requires large data sets for even modest resolution (1 cm). We present a hybrid DOT system that combines a limited number of frequency domain (FD) measurements with a large set of continuous wave (cw) measurements. The FD measurements are used to quantitatively determine tissue averaged absorption and scattering coefficients. The larger cw data sets (10(5) measurements) collected with a lens coupled CCD, permit 3D DOT reconstructions of a 1-liter tissue volume. To address the computational complexity of large data sets and 3D volumes we employ finite difference based reconstructions computed in parallel. Tissue phantom measurements evaluate imaging performance. The tests include the following: point spread function measures of resolution, characterization of the size and contrast of single objects, field of view measurements and spectral characterization of constituent concentrations. We also report in vivo measurements. Average tissue optical properties of a healthy breast are used to deduce oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin concentrations. Differential imaging with a tumor simulating target adhered to the surface of a healthy breast evaluates the influence of physiologic fluctuations on image noise. This tomography system provides robust, quantitative, full 3D image reconstructions with the advantages of high data throughput, single detector-tissue coupling path, and large (1L) imaging domains. In addition, we find that point spread function measurements provide a useful and comprehensive representation of system performance.

Diffuse optical tomography for breast cancer imaging guided by computed tomography: A feasibility study

“…11,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] To increase the number of measurement data, Culver et al reported a charge coupled device (CCD) camera based DOT imaging system. 23 Turner et al used a CCD camera to measure early photons in a DOT imaging system. 24 In this study, we used an electron multiplying CCD (EMCCD) camera to measure light intensity on the breast surface in a transmission mode.…”

Multiple projection optical diffusion tomography with plane wave illumination

“…Therefore, we focus here on the reconstruction of absorbing inhomogeneities assuming that the diffusion coefficient of the medium is constant. Reconstruction of purely absorbing inhomogeneities have been employed, for example, in breast imaging [17][18][19][20] or blood oxygenation level imaging [21,22].…”

Near‐infrared imaging of breast cancer using optical contrast agents

“…The breast is slightly compressed between two parallel glass plates or plates made of other material through which light can pass [33,37,59,60]. These plates typically house optical fibers for illumination and light detection.…”