Showing papers on "Optical tomography published in 2017"

3D tomography of cells in micro-channels

Abstract: We combine confocal imaging, microfluidics, and image analysis to record 3D-images of cells in flow. This enables us to recover the full 3D representation of several hundred living cells per minute. Whereas 3D confocal imaging has thus far been limited to steady specimens, we overcome this restriction and present a method to access the 3D shape of moving objects. The key of our principle is a tilted arrangement of the micro-channel with respect to the focal plane of the microscope. This forces cells to traverse the focal plane in an inclined manner. As a consequence, individual layers of passing cells are recorded, which can then be assembled to obtain the volumetric representation. The full 3D information allows for a detailed comparison with theoretical and numerical predictions unfeasible with, e.g., 2D imaging. Our technique is exemplified by studying flowing red blood cells in a micro-channel reflecting the conditions prevailing in the microvasculature. We observe two very different types of shapes: ...

Review of current methods of acousto-optical tomography for biomedical applications

Abstract: The field of acousto-optical tomography (AOT) for medical applications began in the 1990s and has since developed multiple techniques for the detection of ultrasound-modulated light. Light becomes frequency shifted as it travels through an ultrasound beam. This “tagged” light can be detected and used for focused optical imaging. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of the techniques that have developed since around 2011 in the field of biomedical AOT. This includes how AOT has advanced by taken advantage of the research conducted in the ultrasound, as well as, the optical fields. Also, simulations and reconstruction algorithms have been formulated specifically for AOT imaging over this time period. Future progression of AOT relies on its ability to provide significant contributions to in vivo imaging for biomedical applications. We outline the challenges that AOT still faces to make in vivo imaging possible and what has been accomplished thus far, as well as possible future directions.

Signal competition in optical coherence tomography and its relevance for cochlear vibrometry.

Abstract: The usual technique for measuring vibration within the cochlear partition is heterodyne interferometry. Recently, spectral domain phase microscopy (SDPM) was introduced and offers improvements over standard heterodyne interferometry. In particular, it has a penetration depth of several mm due to working in the infrared range, has narrow and steep optical sectioning due to using a wideband light source, and is able to measure from several cochlear layers simultaneously. However, SDPM is susceptible to systematic error due to "phase leakage," in which the signal from one layer competes with the signal from other layers. Here, phase leakage is explored in vibration measurements in the cochlea and a model structure. The similarity between phase leakage and signal competition in heterodyne interferometry is demonstrated both experimentally and theoretically. Due to phase leakage, erroneous vibration amplitudes can be reported in regions of low reflectivity that are near structures of high reflectivity. When vibration amplitudes are greater than ∼0.1 of the light source wavelength, phase leakage can cause reported vibration waveforms to be distorted. To aid in the screening of phase leakage in experimental results, the error is plotted and discussed as a function of the important parameters of signal strength and vibration amplitude.

Optical tomographic reconstruction based on multi-slice wave propagation method.

Abstract: In optical tomography, it is challenging to obtain high-quality results for complex-structured objects which induce multiple scattering. Nonlinear reconstruction methods outperform linear ones in these situations. A promising nonlinear method is the approach based on beam propagation method, but its accuracy may decrease for complicated structures. In this paper, we describe a novel tomographic reconstruction method using multi-slice wave propagation method (WPM) as the forward model, which simulates the scattering process more precisely but has not been introduced in tomographic reconstruction before. The computational model of WPM is presented. To tackle the computational complexity, we propose an efficient scheme to compute the transmitted field and its derivative. We then use an iterative optimization method to recover the quantitative refraction index distribution. We also discuss the influences of the parameters in the method and how to determine their values. The experimental results demonstrate that this method can address multiple scattering problems and provide high accuracy for complex-structured objects.

High-dynamic-range fluorescence laminar optical tomography (HDR-FLOT).

Abstract: Three-dimensional fluorescence laminar optical tomography (FLOT) can achieve resolutions of 100-200 µm and penetration depths of 2-3 mm. FLOT has been used in tissue engineering, neuroscience, as well as oncology. The limited dynamic range of the charge-coupled device-based system makes it difficult to image fluorescent samples with a large concentration difference, limits its penetration depth, and diminishes the quantitative accuracy of 3D reconstruction data. Here, incorporating the high-dynamic-range (HDR) method widely used in digital cameras, we present HDR-FLOT, increasing penetration depth and improving the ability to image fluorescent samples with a large concentration difference. The method was tested using an agar phantom and a B6 mouse for brain imaging in vivo.

Scanning laser optical tomography for in toto imaging of the murine cochlea.

Abstract: The mammalian cochlea is a complex macroscopic structure due to its helical shape and the microscopic arrangements of the individual layers of cells. To improve the outcomes of hearing restoration in deaf patients, it is important to understand the anatomic structure and composition of the cochlea ex vivo. Hitherto, only one histological technique based on confocal laser scanning microscopy and optical clearing has been developed for in toto optical imaging of the murine cochlea. However, with a growing size of the specimen, e.g., human cochlea, this technique reaches its limitations. Here, we demonstrate scanning laser optical tomography (SLOT) as a valuable imaging technique to visualize the murine cochlea in toto without any physical slicing. This technique can also be applied in larger specimens up to cm3 such as the human cochlea. Furthermore, immunolabeling allows visualization of inner hair cells (otoferlin) or spiral ganglion cells (neurofilament) within the whole cochlea. After image reconstruction, the 3D dataset was used for digital segmentation of the labeled region. As a result, quantitative analysis of position, length and curvature of the labeled region was possible. This is of high interest in order to understand the interaction of cochlear implants (CI) and cells in more detail.

Wavelet denoising of multiframe optical coherence tomography data using similarity measures

Abstract: Speckle noise is the main cause of image degradation in optical coherence tomography, which makes denoising an essential process to obtain quality images. This study proposes a wavelet-based denoising technique in which detail coefficients are assigned weights using similarity measures of Pearson's correlation coefficient and structural similarity index (SSIM). Stationary wavelet transform is used for SSIM which is an image quality measure is used as optimisation criterion to denoise images in this study. Procedure of weight computation is discussed in detail. Average of these detailed components is used to denoise the images. Comparison of proposed technique with the existing techniques has been carried out at length. Extensive qualitative and quantitative analysis reveal that the proposed technique is efficient and performs better in terms of noise reduction while maintaining the structural contents of the image.

Three-dimensional hard and soft tissue imaging of the human cochlea by scanning laser optical tomography (SLOT).

Abstract: The present study focuses on the application of scanning laser optical tomography (SLOT) for visualization of anatomical structures inside the human cochlea ex vivo. SLOT is a laser-based highly efficient microscopy technique which allows for tomographic imaging of the internal structure of transparent specimens. Thus, in the field of otology this technique is best convenient for an ex vivo study of the inner ear anatomy. For this purpose, the preparation before imaging comprises decalcification, dehydration as well as optical clearing of the cochlea samples in toto. Here, we demonstrate results of SLOT imaging visualizing hard and soft tissue structures with an optical resolution of down to 15 μm using extinction and autofluorescence as contrast mechanisms. Furthermore, the internal structure can be analyzed nondestructively and quantitatively in detail by sectioning of the three-dimensional datasets. The method of X-ray Micro Computed Tomography (μCT) has been previously applied to explanted cochlea and is solely based on absorption contrast. An advantage of SLOT is that it uses visible light for image formation and thus provides a variety of contrast mechanisms known from other light microscopy techniques, such as fluorescence or scattering. We show that SLOT data is consistent with μCT anatomical data and provides additional information by using fluorescence. We demonstrate that SLOT is applicable for cochlea with metallic cochlear implants (CI) that would lead to significant artifacts in μCT imaging. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates the capability of SLOT for resolution visualization of cleared human cochleae ex vivo using multiple contrast mechanisms and lays the foundation for a broad variety of additional studies.

In vivo oral imaging with integrated portable photoacoustic microscopy and optical coherence tomography

Abstract: Oral diseases, especially oral cancers, are becoming serious health problems in humans. To image vasculatures and structures simultaneously in the human oral cavity which are tightly associated with various oral diseases, we develop a dual-modality portable optical resolution photoacoustic microscopy (ORPAM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. This system utilizes a new rotary scanning mechanism and a compact design of the imaging head, making it portable and free of translation of the imaging interface or samples. Through the phantom experiments, both modalities yield high lateral resolutions of 8.1 μm (ORPAM) and 8.56 μm (OCT), respectively. The axial resolutions are measured to be 116.5 μm for ORPAM and 6.1 μm for OCT. In vivo imaging of a mouse ear was carried out to evaluate the performance of the system in biological tissues. In addition, in vivo oral imaging of a healthy human lip and monitoring recovery progress of a lip ulcer demonstrate the clinical potential of this system.

Compressive hyperspectral time-resolved wide-field fluorescence lifetime imaging

Abstract: An imaging platform based on time-resolved structured light and hyperspectral single-pixel detection has been developed to perform quantitative fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLI) over a large field of view (FOV) and multiple spectral bands simultaneously. We demonstrate the potential of this new imaging platform by quantitatively imaging near-infrared FRET (Forster Resonance Energy Transfer) pair, both in vitro and in vivo. The technique is well-suited for quantitative hyperspectral lifetime imaging with high-sensitivity, paving the way for many important biomedical applications.

Analysis of the potential for non-invasive imaging of oxygenation at heart depth, using ultrasound optical tomography (UOT) or photo-acoustic tomography (PAT)

Abstract: Despite the important medical implications, it is currently an open task to find optical non-invasive techniques that can image deep organs in humans. Addressing this, photo-acoustic tomography (PAT) has received a great deal of attention in the past decade, owing to favorable properties like high contrast and high spatial resolution. However, even with optimal components PAT cannot penetrate beyond a few centimeters, which still presents an important limitation of the technique. Here, we calculate the absorption contrast levels for PAT and for ultrasound optical tomography (UOT) and compare them to their relevant noise sources as a function of imaging depth. The results indicate that a new development in optical filters, based on rare-earth-ion crystals, can push the UOT technique significantly ahead of PAT. Such filters allow the contrast-to-noise ratio for UOT to be up to three orders of magnitude better than for PAT at depths of a few cm into the tissue. It also translates into a significant increase of the image depth of UOT compared to PAT, enabling deep organs to be imaged in humans in real time. Furthermore, such spectral holeburning filters are not sensitive to speckle decorrelation from the tissue and can operate at nearly any angle of incident light, allowing good light collection. We theoretically demonstrate the improved performance in the medically important case of non-invasive optical imaging of the oxygenation level of the frontal part of the human myocardial tissue. Our results indicate that further studies on UOT are of interest and that the technique may have large impact on future directions of biomedical optics.

Apparatus and method for enhanced early photon detection in optical projection tomography

Abstract: A system and method for optical tomography including illuminating an object with pulsing stimulus light and pulsing the stimulus light at a repetition frequency having a pulse period that is greater than a dead-time of a detector. Coordinating the pulse with the dead-time of the detector allows for higher powered light source and improves early photon detection.

Mixed Total Variation and L1 Regularization Method for Optical Tomography Based on Radiative Transfer Equation

Abstract: Optical tomography is an emerging and important molecular imaging modality. The aim of optical tomography is to reconstruct optical properties of human tissues. In this paper, we focus on reconstructing the absorption coefficient based on the radiative transfer equation (RTE). It is an ill-posed parameter identification problem. Regularization methods have been broadly applied to reconstruct the optical coefficients, such as the total variation (TV) regularization and the L1 regularization. In order to better reconstruct the piecewise constant and sparse coefficient distributions, TV and L1 norms are combined as the regularization. The forward problem is discretized with the discontinuous Galerkin method on the spatial space and the finite element method on the angular space. The minimization problem is solved by a Jacobian-based Levenberg-Marquardt type method which is equipped with a split Bregman algorithms for the L1 regularization. We use the adjoint method to compute the Jacobian matrix which dramatically improves the computation efficiency. By comparing with the other imaging reconstruction methods based on TV and L1 regularizations, the simulation results show the validity and efficiency of the proposed method.

Holographic Writing of Ink-Based Phase Conjugate Nanostructures via Laser Ablation

Abstract: The optical phase conjugation (OPC) through photonic nanostructures in coherent optics involves the utilization of a nonlinear optical mechanism through real-time processing of electromagnetic fields. Their applications include spectroscopy, optical tomography, wavefront sensing, and imaging. The development of functional and personalized holographic devices in the visible and near-infrared spectrum can be improved by introducing cost-effective, rapid, and high-throughput fabrication techniques and low-cost recording media. Here, we develop flat and thin phase-conjugate nanostructures on low-cost ink coated glass substrates through a facile and flexible single pulsed nanosecond laser based reflection holography and a cornercube retroreflector (CCR). Fabricated one/two-dimensional (1D/2D) nanostructures exhibited far-field phase-conjugated patterns through wavefront reconstruction by means of diffraction. The optical phase conjugation property had correlation with the laser light (energy) and structural parameters (width, height and exposure angle) variation. The phase conjugated diffraction property from the recorded nanostructures was verified through spectral measurements, far-field diffraction experiments, and thermal imaging. Furthermore, a comparison between the conventional and phase-conjugated nanostructures showed two-fold increase in diffracted light intensity under monochromatic light illumination. It is anticipated that low-cost ink based holographic phase-conjugate nanostructures may have applications in flexible and printable displays, polarization-selective flat waveplates, and adaptive diffraction optics.

3D Curvelet-Based Segmentation and Quantification of Drusen in Optical Coherence Tomography Images

Abstract: Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) is a widely used interferometric diagnostic technique in ophthalmology that provides novel in vivo information of depth-resolved inner and outer retinal structures. This imaging modality can assist clinicians in monitoring the progression of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) by providing high-resolution visualization of drusen. Quantitative tools for assessing drusen volume that are indicative of AMD progression may lead to appropriate metrics for selecting treatment protocols. To address this need, a fully automated algorithm was developed to segment drusen area and volume from SD-OCT images. The proposed algorithm consists of three parts: (1) preprocessing, which includes creating binary mask and removing possible highly reflective posterior hyaloid that is used in accurate detection of inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction layer and Bruchźs membrane (BM) retinal layers; (2) coarse segmentation, in which 3D curvelet transform and graph theory are employed to get the possible candidate drusenoid regions; (3) fine segmentation, in which morphological operators are used to remove falsely extracted elongated structures and get the refined segmentation results. The proposed method was evaluated in 20 publically available volumetric scans acquired by using Bioptigen spectral-domain ophthalmic imaging system. The average true positive and false positive volume fractions (TPVF and FPVF) for the segmentation of drusenoid regions were found to be 89.15%ź± 3.76 and 0.17%ź± .18%, respectively.

Column-Parallel Dynamic TDC Reallocation in SPAD Sensor Module Fabricated in 180nm CMOS for Near Infrared Optical Tomography

Abstract: A major problem for optical biomedical imaging methods, e.g. near-infrared optical tomography (NIROT), using time resolved SPAD sensors is a slow acquisition time, resulting in motion artefacts and decreased patient comfort. We present a new SPAD sensor module optimised for the NIROT application. Dynamic TDC reallocation is employed to reduce the die area occupied by timing circuitry whilst also minimising the probability of photon pileup. High pixel PDE is achieved with a wide spectral range SPAD and cascoded passive quenching circuit. The sensor is fabricated in a 180nm CMOS process, enabling an image acquisition time in the NIROT application of 3.8 seconds per source and wavelength pair.

Fully Nonlinear ${SP}_{3}$ Approximation Based Fluorescence Optical Tomography

Abstract: In fluorescence optical tomography, many works in the literature focus on the linear reconstruction problem to obtain the fluorescent yield or the linearized reconstruction problem to obtain the absorption coefficient. The nonlinear reconstruction problem, to reconstruct the fluorophore absorption coefficient, is of interest in imaging studies as it presents the possibility of better reconstructions owing to a more appropriate model. Accurate and computationally efficient forward models are also critical in the reconstruction process. The ${\text{SP}}_{N}$ approximation to the radiative transfer equation (RTE) is gaining importance for tomographic reconstructions owing to its computational advantages over the full RTE while being more accurate and applicable than the commonly used diffusion approximation. This paper presents Gauss–Newton-based fully nonlinear reconstruction for the ${\text{SP}}_{3}$ approximated fluorescence optical tomography problem with respect to shape as well as the conventional finite-element method-based representations. The contribution of this paper is the Frechet derivative calculations for this problem and demonstration of reconstructions in both representations. For the shape reconstructions, radial-basis-function represented level-set-based shape representations are used. We present reconstructions for tumor-mimicking test objects in scattering and absorption dominant settings, respectively, for moderately noisy data sets in order to demonstrate the viability of the formulation. Comparisons are presented between the nonlinear and linearized reconstruction schemes in an element wise setting to illustrate the benefits of using the former especially for absorption dominant media.

A cost-effective LED and photodetector based fast direct 3D diffuse optical imaging system

Abstract: A cost-effective and high-speed 3D diffuse optical tomography system using high power LED light sources and silicon photodetectors has been designed and built, that can continuously scan and reconstruct spectroscopic images at a frame rate of 2 fps. The system is experimentally validated with tissue mimicking cylindrical resin phantom having light absorbing inhomogeneities of different size, shape and contrast, and at different locations.

Optical Tomography on Graphs

Abstract: We present an algorithm for solving inverse problems on graphs analogous to those arising in diffuse optical tomography for continuous media. In particular, we formulate and analyze a discrete version of the inverse Born series, proving estimates characterizing the domain of convergence, approximation errors, and stability of our approach. We also present a modification which allows additional information on the structure of the potential to be incorporated, facilitating recovery for a broader class of problems.

L1 -norm Based Nonlinear ReconstructionImproves Quantitative Accuracy of SpectralDiffuse Optical Tomography

Abstract: Spectrally constrained diffuse optical tomography (SCDOT) is known to improve reconstruction in diffuse optical imaging: constraining the reconstruction by coupling the optical properties across multiple wavelengths and suppressing artefacts in the resulting reconstructed images. In other work, L1-norm regularization has been shown to be able to improve certain types of image reconstruction problem as its sparsity-promoting properties render it robust against noise and enable preservation of edges in images, but because the L1-norm is non-differentiable, it is not always simple to implement. In this work, we show how to incorporate L1 regularization into SCDOT. Three popular algorithms for L1 regularization are assessed for application in SCDOT: iteratively reweighted least square algorithm (IRLS), alternating directional method of multipliers (ADMM) and fast iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm (FISTA). We introduce an objective procedure for determining the regularization parameter in these algorithms and compare their performance in two-dimensional and three-dimensional simulated experiments. Our results show that L1 regularization consistently outperforms Tikhonov regularization in this application, particularly in the presence of noise.

Feature tracking for automated volume of interest stabilization on 4D-OCT images

Abstract: A common representation of volumetric medical image data is the triplanar view (TV), in which the surgeon manually selects slices showing the anatomical structure of interest. In addition to common medical imaging such as MRI or computed tomography, recent advances in the field of optical coherence tomography (OCT) have enabled live processing and volumetric rendering of four-dimensional images of the human body. Due to the region of interest undergoing motion, it is challenging for the surgeon to simultaneously keep track of an object by continuously adjusting the TV to desired slices. To select these slices in subsequent frames automatically, it is necessary to track movements of the volume of interest (VOI). This has not been addressed with respect to 4DOCT images yet. Therefore, this paper evaluates motion tracking by applying state-of-the-art tracking schemes on maximum intensity projections (MIP) of 4D-OCT images. Estimated VOI location is used to conveniently show corresponding slices and to improve the MIPs by calculating thin-slab MIPs. Tracking performances are evaluated on an in-vivo sequence of human skin, captured at 26 volumes per second. Among investigated tracking schemes, our recently presented tracking scheme for soft tissue motion provides highest accuracy with an error of under 2.2 voxels for the first 80 volumes. Object tracking on 4D-OCT images enables its use for sub-epithelial tracking of microvessels for image-guidance.

Optical Access Schemes for High Speed and Spatial Resolution Optical Absorption Tomography in Energy Engineering

Abstract: Optical diagnostic techniques play an important role in the engineering of modern energy processes. Optical absorption tomography as a diagnostic technique allows imaging of chemical species in flows with spatio-temporal resolution. The optical access scheme employed to acquire the tomographic projections impacts the limiting spatial resolution and imaging speed of the instrument. Our review of conventional optical access schemes indicates that there currently exist no practical schemes that can achieve simultaneous high-speed, high-spatial resolution imaging. Here, we show that advanced solid-state beam deflectors can be used to realize such a system. We evaluated a state-of-the-art electro-optic deflector combining a multi-pass scheme in a space-charged crystal and found that it can achieve a full deflection angle of 216 mrad (12.4°) at 90-kHz scan rate. We present how optical access schemes based on electro-optic deflectors can be arranged, estimating the increased bandwidth requirement for the data acquisition system. Using an existing tomography system and an image reconstruction algorithm, we show by simulation that the spatial resolution under non-optimum conditions can be improved by 38%. We describe in detail our implementation of the spatial resolution quantification algorithm. Our results demonstrate how advances in other disciplines can be exploited to further improve the performance of an optical tomography instrument. We anticipate our assay to motivate further development of optical access schemes as well as optimized image reconstruction algorithms.

Optically tracked, single-coil, scanning magnetic induction tomography.

Abstract: Recent work has shown that single-coil, magnetic induction tomography (MIT) is useful for visualizing three-dimensional electrical conductivity distributions within biological targets. Coil-induced eddy currents and the associated secondary field are detected as an inductive loss while the coil is relocated to several unique positions and orientations near a target. Image reconstruction is then accomplished by inversion of a convolution integral that quantitatively maps inductive loss with conductivity. Previously, coil position and orientation had to be established by a template, which required assignment of fixed locations for the coil to visit. Here, our existing device is modified so that coil position and orientation are optically tracked while measuring inductive loss. Optical tracking is accomplished via a set of infrared reflective spheres mounted on the same enclosure that supports the coil. The coil center can be tracked with submillimeter accuracy while orientation angle is known to within a fraction of a degree. This work illustrates the use of single-coil MIT in full, position-orientation-tracked scan mode while imaging laboratory phantoms consisting of features having biologically relevant conductivity.

Selection of the tagged photons by off axis heterodyne holography in ultrasound-modulated optical tomography.

Abstract: Ultrasound-modulated optical tomography (UOT) is a technique that images optical contrast deep inside scattering media. Heterodyne holography is a promising tool that is able to detect UOT-tagged photons with high efficiency. In this work, we describe theoretically the detection of the tagged photon in heterodyne holography-based UOT, show how to filter the untagged photon, and discuss the effect of shot noise. The discussion also considers speckle decorrelation. We show that optimal detection sensitivity can be reached, if the frame exposure time of the camera used to perform the holographic detection is on the order of the decorrelation time.

Angle-selective optical filter for highly sensitive reflection photoplethysmogram.

Abstract: We report an angle-selective optical filter (ASOF) for highly sensitive reflection photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors. The ASOF features slanted aluminum (Al) micromirror arrays embedded in transparent polymer resin, which effectively block scattered light under human tissue. The device microfabrication was done by using geometry-guided resist reflow of polymer micropatterns, polydimethylsiloxane replica molding, and oblique angle deposition of thin Al film. The angular transmittance through the ASOF is precisely controlled by the angle of micromirrors. For the mirror angle of 30 degrees, the ASOF accepts an incident light between - 90 to + 50 degrees and the maximum transmittance at - 55 degrees. The ASOF exhibits the substantial reduction of both the in-band noise of PPG signals over a factor of two and the low-frequency noise by three times. Consequently, this filter allows distinguishing the diastolic peak that allows miscellaneous parameters with diverse vascular information. This optical filter provides a new opportunity for highly sensitive PPG monitoring or miscellaneous optical tomography.

A New Method Based on Graphics Processing Units for Fast Near-Infrared Optical Tomography.

Abstract: The accuracy of images obtained by Diffuse Optical Tomography (DOT) could be substantially increased by the newly developed time resolved (TR) cameras. These devices result in unprecedented data volumes, which present a challenge to conventional image reconstruction techniques. In addition, many clinical applications require taking photons in air regions like the trachea into account, where the diffusion model fails. Image reconstruction techniques based on photon tracking are mandatory in those cases but have not been implemented so far due to computing demands. We aimed at designing an inversion algorithm which could be implemented on commercial graphics processing units (GPUs) by making use of information obtained with other imaging modalities. The method requires a segmented volume and an approximately uniform value for the reduced scattering coefficient in the volume under study. The complex photon path is reduced to a small number of partial path lengths within each segment resulting in drastically reduced memory usage and computation time. Our approach takes advantage of wavelength normalized data which renders it robust against instrumental biases and skin irregularities which is critical for realistic clinical applications. The accuracy of this method has been assessed with both simulated and experimental inhomogeneous phantoms showing good agreement with target values. The simulation study analyzed a phantom containing a tumor next to an air region. For the experimental test, a segmented cuboid phantom was illuminated by a supercontinuum laser and data were gathered by a state of the art TR camera. Reconstructions were obtained on a GPU-installed computer in less than 2 h. To our knowledge, it is the first time Monte Carlo methods have been successfully used for DOT based on TR cameras. This opens the door to applications such as accurate measurements of oxygenation in neck tumors where the presence of air regions is a problem for conventional approaches.

A resolution insensitive to geometrical aberrations by using incoherent illumination and interference imaging

Abstract: This contribution is another opportunity to acknowledge the influence of Roger Maynard on our research work when he pushed one of us (ACB) to explore the field of waves propagating in complex media rather than limiting ourselves to the wavelength scale of thermal waves or near field phenomena. Optical tomography is used for imaging in-depth scattering media such as biological tissues. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) plays an important role in imaging biological samples. Coupling OCT with adaptive optics (AO) in order to correct eye aberrations has led to cellular imaging of the retina. By using our approach called Full-Field OCT (FFOCT) we show that, with spatially incoherent illumination, the width of the point-spread function (PSF) that governs the resolution is not affected by aberrations that induce only a reduction of the signal level. We will describe our approach by starting with the PSF experimental data followed by a simple theoretical analysis, and numerical calculations. Finally full images obtained through or inside scattering and aberrating media will be shown.

Optical projection tomography via phase retrieval algorithms for hidden three dimensional imaging

Abstract: Optical tomography in biomedical imaging is a highly dynamic field in which non-invasive optical and computational techniques are combined to obtain a three dimensional representation of the specimen we are interested to image. Although at optical wavelengths scattering is the main obstacle to reach diffraction limited resolution, recently several studies have shown the possibility to image even objects fully hidden behind a turbid layer exploiting the information contained in the speckle autocorrelation via an iterative phase retrieval algorithm. In this work we explore the possibility of blind three dimensional reconstruction approach based on the Optical Projection Tomography principles, a widely used tool to image almost transparent model organism such as C. Elegans and D. Rerio. By using autocorrelation information rather than projections at each angle we prove, both numerically and experimentally, the possibility to perform exact three dimensional reconstructions via a specifically designed phase retrieval algorithm, extending the capability of the projection-based tomographic methods to image behind scattering curtains. The reconstruction scheme we propose is simple to implement, does not require post-processing data alignment and moreover can be trivially implemented in parallel to fully exploit the computing power offered by modern GPUs, further reducing the need for costly computational resources.

Fluorescence laminar optical tomography for brain imaging: system implementation and performance evaluation.

Abstract: We present our effort in implementing a fluorescence laminar optical tomography scanner which is specifically designed for noninvasive three-dimensional imaging of fluorescence proteins in the brains of small rodents. A laser beam, after passing through a cylindrical lens, scans the brain tissue from the surface while the emission signal is captured by the epi-fluorescence optics and is recorded using an electron multiplication CCD sensor. Image reconstruction algorithms are developed based on Monte Carlo simulation to model light–tissue interaction and generate the sensitivity matrices. To solve the inverse problem, we used the iterative simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique. The performance of the developed system was evaluated by imaging microfabricated silicon microchannels embedded inside a substrate with optical properties close to the brain as a tissue phantom and ultimately by scanning brain tissue in vivo. Details of the hardware design and reconstruction algorithms are discussed and several experimental results are presented. The developed system can specifically facilitate neuroscience experiments where fluorescence imaging and molecular genetic methods are used to study the dynamics of the brain circuitries.