生物医学光声成像

能够对组织体中的光学吸收体进行量化评估的光声成像(photoacoustic imaging)是一种有发展前景的医学成像模式.文章综述了处于快速发展阶段的光声成像技术.文章首先介绍光声成像的物理基础--光声效应.在此基础上,阐述光声成像技术的优势所在(与光学以及超声成像相比较).然后讨论目前该领域的主要技术路线,包括扫描层析术、计算机层析术以及原位探测成像技术.最后简要总结了光声成像技术在生物医学领域中的主要应用.     

生物光声层析成像中不均匀和不稳定照明解决方法

在生物组织光声层析成像(Photoacoustic Tomography,PAT)算法中,为了简化问题,通常假设在均匀和稳定照明的理想情况下,重建组织的初始声压分布图、光吸收能量分布图和光学特性参数分布图。但在实际应用中,当光在生物组织中传播时,会出现光衰减和光通量分布不均匀的情况,导致重建精度下降。本文对非理想条件下用于补偿由不均匀和不稳定照明所致PAT成像误差的主要方法进行归纳和总结,讨论不同方法的优势和不足。     

全光非接触光声层析及光学相干层析双模成像

提出全光非接触光声层析成像(nc PAT)与光学相干层析(OCT)双模成像的新方法,用于同时获取物体的吸收分布图像和散射分布图像。搭建nc PAT-OCT双模成像系统,采用同一探测光源、同一干涉系统用于提高系统稳定性;采用同步触发模式来确保双模成像在数据采集时间上的同步性;使用共同样品臂来保证采样区域在空间上的一致性。并在此基础上实现同时对同一个样品进行PAT和OCT两种模式成像,实验结果表明两种模式成像能够很好地匹配,而且可以在不同模式下获得不同的信息。     

基于维纳滤波反卷积的光声成像

为了提高光声成像(PAT)的对比度和分辨率,需对组织样品的光声(PA)信号进行基于探头脉冲响应的滤波反卷积以恢复其频谱特性.对宽带光声信号而言,由于带通滤波的截止频率由人为确定,噪声不能得到有效抑制,很难获得稳定的反卷积结果.针对此问题,提出了基于维纳滤波反卷积的光声成像方法,利用点光声源获得超声探头的脉冲响应.利用维纳滤波抑制反卷积过程中噪声的影响,滤波器参数由离散小波变换(DWT)动态估计,样品光声图像由时域后向投影算法重建.数值模拟与成像实验均表明该方法有效地抑制了噪声对反卷积的影响,提高了光声成像的对比度和分辨率.     

基于字典学习的稀疏角度采样光声信号重建

光声成像兼具光学成像的高对比度和超声成像对深层组织的高分辨率等优点,在生物医学成像领域具有巨大的潜力,而且发展十分迅速;光声成像通过在多个角度进行光声信号的采集,可以获得生物组织的二维或三维光学吸收分布图像;但实际的光声成像往往因硬件条件和成像时间的制约而难以采集角度足够多的光声信号;在信号采样不足的情况下,光声图像的重建质量会严重下降,出现大量伪迹。针对该问题,提出了一种基于字典学习与稀疏表示的恢复重建算法,采用该算法对光声信号进行预处理,并进行仿真实验。结果表明:与不经过光声信号超分辨率重建的时间反演法图像重建结果相比,经所提算法处理后的光声重建图像的伪迹显著减少,细节更加清晰,峰值信噪比提高了8 dB左右;不同信噪比下的仿真实验验证了所提出算法具有良好的稳健性。     

改进的同步迭代算法在光声血管成像中的应用

光声成像结合了光学成像和声学成像的优点，是一种高分辨率，高对比度的无损伤医学成像技术.一种改进的同步迭代算法应用于光声图像重建.仿真和模拟结果表明，与传统的代数迭代算法相比，在90°，135°，180°的有限场光声成像中，此算法对测量误差的校正和迭代次数的收敛上具有较大的优势，图像重建的速度和成像质量都有了明显的提高.实验中，一种圆形扫描结构的光声成像装置，用于180°的有限场扫描，利用改进的同步迭代算法，重建出了高对比度和高分辨率（60μm）的鸡胚胎光声血管图像.实验证明，这种算法的应用，大幅度减少了数据采集时间，为光声成像技术运用于实时监测血流灌注和肿瘤光动力治疗的血管损伤效应提供了潜在的应用价值. 关键词： 光声成像 有限角度 代数迭代算法 光声血管成像     

生物医学光声成像的研究进展

光声成像是21世纪初发展起来的新兴的生物医学成像技术,它同时具备光学成像和声学成像两者的优点,因而备受关注。本文对生物医学光声成像的发展进行了综述。首先,介绍了光声成像的特点以及相对于广泛应用的光学成像技术和声学成像技术的优点;其次,在成像原理上解释了光声成像优点的成因,并介绍了光声断层成像和光声显微镜这两种典型的光声成像技术;再次,详细介绍了多尺度的光声图像分辨率和成像深度,以及多信息维度的光声成像参数;最后,展望了光声成像在生物医学领域的应用潜力并讨论了其局限性。     

多参量光声成像及其在生物医学领域的应用

光声成像兼具声学成像和光学成像两者的优点, 因而成为近十年来发展最迅速的生物医学成像技术之一. 本文介绍了光声成像的特点及其相对于广泛应用的光学成像技术和声学成像技术的优点; 其次, 解释了光声成像的成像原理, 在此基础上介绍了光声断层成像和光声显微镜这两种典型的光声成像方案, 并介绍了它们的技术特点; 然后, 介绍了光声成像对生物组织的生化特性、组织力学特性、血液流速分布、温度分布参数、微结构特性等多信息参量的提取能力, 及其在生物系统的结构成像、功能成像、代谢成像、分子成像、基因成像等多领域的应用; 最后, 展望了光声成像在生物医学领域的应用潜力并讨论了其局限性.     

基于相位敏感谱域光学相干层析术的潜指纹获取方法

本文提出一种基于相位敏感谱域光学相干层析术 (spectral domain optical coherence tomography, SD-OCT) 的遗留指纹获取方法, 该方法具有非接触、无损、快速和高灵敏度优势. 实验结果显示, 即使在低对比度条件下, 本方法也能较好地再现遗留指纹, 证明相位敏感谱域光学相干层析术可以准确、可靠地识别潜指纹. 关键词： 潜指纹 谱域光学相干层析术 相位敏感     

声透镜对多层样品的光声层析成像

由于光声效应产生光声压分布图像,所以当强散射介质中的模拟吸光组织在受到短脉冲激光照射时,该声压分布会经声透镜成像在像平面上。在像平面上利用线性超声探测器阵列获取光声信号并传递给高速数据采集卡进行数据采集,可由程序重构出光声图像。设计的光声层析成像系统可以采集记录一定深度的数据,成像时只要在所采集到的数据中选取不同列数即可同时获得强散射介质多层样品不同层面的光声图像。实验成功地获得了强散射介质内多层样品不同层面的光声层析图像。该成像方法无需进行复杂的算法重建,且可以同时实现多层样品不同切面的光声成像。     

Dual-modal photoacoustic/CT imaging system

Photoacoustic(PA) tomography(PAT) breaks the barrier for high-resolution optical imaging in a strong lightscattering medium, having a great potential for both clinical implementation and small animal studies. However,many organs and tissues lack enough PA contrast or even hinder the propagation of PA waves. Therefore, it is challenging to interpret pure PAT images, especially three-dimensional(3 D) PA images for deep tissues, without enough structural information. To overcome this limitation, in this study, we integrated PAT with X-ray computed tomography(CT) in a standalone system. PAT provides optical contrast and CT gives anatomical information. We performed agar, tissue phantom, and animal studies, and the results demonstrated that PAT/CT imaging systems can provide accurate spatial registration of important complementary contrasts.     

Deeply penetrating photoacoustic tomography in biological tissues enhanced with an optical contrast agent

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) in a circular scanning configuration was developed to image deeply embedded optical heterogeneity in biological tissues. While the optical penetration was maximized with near-infrared laser pulses of 800-nm wavelength, the optical contrast was enhanced by Indocyanine Green (ICG) dye whose absorption peak matched the laser wavelength. This optimized PAT was able to image objects embedded at depths of as much as 5.2 cm, 6.2 times the 1/e optical penetration depth, in chicken breast muscle at a resolution of <780 microm and a sensitivity of <7 pmol of ICG in blood. The resolution was found to deteriorate slowly with increasing imaging depth. The effects of detection bandwidth on the quality of images acquired simultaneously by four different ultrasonic transducers are described.     

Comparison of optical detection system ,PVDF detection system, and PVDF needle hydrophone for optoacoustic tomography

Optoacoustic tomography (PAT) is a two-dimensional medical imaging method that has the advantage of optical contrast and resolution of ultrasonic waves. The detection systems with a high sensitivity can be used for detecting small tumors, located deeply in human tissues, such as the breast. In this study, the sensitivity of existing ultrasonic detection systems has been compared experimentally with that by using thermoelastic waves as a broadband ultrasonic source. For the comparison, an optical stress transducer(OST), a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) sheet and a calibrated PVDF needle hydrophone were used.To ensure all of the detection systems interrogated by the same ultrasonic field, a small optical instrument that fixed the generating laser head was constructed. The sensitivity was evaluated by measuring signalto-noise ratios (SNRs) and noise equivalent pressures (NEPs). The PVDF system, with a 4-kPa NEP has a 22 dB better performance than the OST. The OST showed nearly the same sensitivity as the hydrophone for detecting ultrasound waves at a 1-cm distance in water. PVDF detection system provides a useful tool for imaging of soft tissues because of its high sensitivity and broad detection range.     

Noninvasive photoacoustic tomography of human peripheral joints toward diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis

The feasibility of photoacoustic tomography (PAT) in imaging human peripheral joints in a noninvasive manner was demonstrated through studies of cadaver human fingers. Based on the intrinsic optical contrast, intra- and extra-articular tissue structures in the finger at the levels of the joints were visualized successfully with satisfactory spatial resolution. The imaging depth of PAT in the near-infrared region enables the cross-sectional imaging of a human finger as a whole organ. As a novel technology with unique advantages, PAT holds promise for early diagnosis of inflammatory joint disorders and accurate monitoring of disease progression and response to therapy.     

Pulse inversion ultrasound modulated optical tomography

Pulse inversion acoustic imaging is useful as it allows second harmonic imaging to be obtained with short acoustic pulses. This allows high axial resolution, but removes any overlap in the frequency spectra of fundamental and harmonic. We demonstrate pulse inversion ultrasound modulated optical tomography using an optical speckle based detection method. Inverted and non-inverted acoustic pulses combined with synchronized strobed illumination are applied to an optically scattering medium. Over the acquisition time of a camera, multiple pulses are summed and at the next frame the phase of the ultrasound is shifted by π/2 and the process repeated. Combining the two frames allows a second harmonic signal to be obtained. A reduction in linewidth is observed (DC=9.26 mm, fundamental=4.02 mm, second harmonic=2.43 mm) in line scans of optically absorbing objects embedded in a scattering medium (thickness=16 mm, scattering coefficient=2.3 mm(-1), anisotropy factor=0.938).     

Imaging of human wrist joint by a flexible-transducer-based morphological-adaptive photoacoustic tomography: a feasibility study

In this study, the feasibility of visualization of human joints using photoacoustic tomography(PAT) is investigated. To verify this idea, the system of integrated optical fiber bundles and a custom-made flexible transducer is established, both of which give the advantage of morphological adaptation; therefore, the coupling section can be worn on human limbs. The imaging capacity of the flexible-transducer-based PAT system is validated by mapping the structures of the finger and the wrist joint. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time to achieve photoacoustic imaging of such large human wrist joints. The cross-sectional photoacoustic images of a healthy joint clearly exhibit the main internal structures, including the phalanx, tendons, and blood vessels, which are comparable with the corresponding images by 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging.The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system holds promise for early diagnosis of joint disorders.     

Compressed sensing in synthetic aperture photoacoustic tomography based on a linear-array ultrasound transducer

Photoacoustic tomography(PAT) has the unique capability of visualizing optical absorption inside several centimeters-deep biological tissue with a high spatial resolution. However, single linear-array transducer-based PAT suffers from the limited-view challenge, and thus the synthetic aperture configuration is designed that still requires multichannel data acquisition hardware. Herein, a feasible synthetic aperture PAT based on compressed sensing reconstruction is proposed. Both the simulation and experimental results tested the theoretical model and validated that this approach can improve the image resolution and address the limited-view problem while preserving the target information with a fewer number of measurements.     

宽场光学相干断层成像系统的三维显微成像

宽场相干断层成像技术（WFOCT）具有提高OCT系统的扫描速率和实现高分辨率的三维显微技术等优点,成为当前研究的热点。本文阐述了WFOCT的基本原理,利用八步移相法重建出玻璃物体微细结构的断层图像,研究了宽场OCT系统对玻璃材料的纵向分辨率和探测深度,其中探测深度可达3.3 mm。在获得多幅断层图像的基础上,利用VC6.0和OpenGL混合编程,采用移动立方体（MC）算法重建出玻璃物体微细结构的三维图像。实验结果表明,WFOCT系统不但能够在生物组织检测等医学方面得到应用,而且对反射率较高的物体能够完成三维形貌显微成像探测和深度探测。     

In vivo bidirectional color Doppler flow imaging of picoliter blood volumes using optical coherence tomography

We describe a novel optical system for bidirectional color Doppler imaging of flow in biological tissues with micrometer-scale resolution and demonstrate its use for in vivo imaging of blood flow in an animal model. Our technique, color Doppler optical coherence tomography (CDOCT), performs spatially localized optical Doppler velocimetry by use of scanning low-coherence interferometry. CDOCT is an extension of optical coherence tomography (OCT), employing coherent signal-acquisition electronics and joint time-frequency analysis algorithms to perform flow imaging simultaneous with conventional OCT imaging. Cross-sectional maps of blood flow velocity with <50-microm spatial resolution and <0.6-mm/s velocity precision were obtained through intact skin in living hamster subdermal tissue. This technology has several potential medical applications.