Multiple passive element enriched photoacoustic computed tomography

Recently, we presented a method using laser-induced ultrasound from an external absorber (passive element) to image the ultrasound transmission parameters of an object under photoacoustic tomographic investigation. The method suffers from long measurement times due to the requirement for a large number of views and consequently physical projections around the object. Here we propose and validate an approach that permits a multitude of views to be obtained within a limited projection scenario. The approach uses a plurality of spatially distributed external absorbers in the path of the light, that results in multiple laser-induced ultrasound sources to interrogate the object from a number of angles. This reduces the required number of rotation angles or physical projections around the object, permitting a considerable reduction in imaging time without significant degradation in image quality. The approach brings the concept of hybrid imaging of ultrasound transmission parameters together with photoacoustic imaging, into the realm of practical application.     

基于超声干涉测量的光声断层成像方法性能优化*

生物组织声学参数的不均匀性是光声断层成像技术面临的棘手问题,基于超声干涉测量的光声断层成像方法已被初步证明可以适用于声参数不均匀情形,但对如何取得最佳成像效果缺少深入研究。针对这一问题,该文将基于超声干涉测量的光声断层成像方法应用于同时含有声速不均匀和随机声散射现象的复杂成像媒质模型,并对如何优化成像效果开展相关研究。该文首先验证了该方法在数值模型中的有效性,随后针对相关测量参数与成像质量之间的关系开展定量研究,提出了优化成像效果的方法。结果表明,设计适合的波形滤波器、合理选择干涉测量过程中超声信号的中心频率均可优化成像效果,该文的相关研究结果可为进一步拓展基于超声干涉测量的光声断层成像的应用范围提供参考。     

Quantifying tissue microvasculature with speckle variance optical coherence tomography

In this Letter, we demonstrate high resolution, three-dimensional optical imaging of in vivo blood vessel networks using speckle variance optical coherence tomography, and the quantification of these images through the development of biologically relevant metrics using image processing and segmentation techniques. Extracted three-dimensional metrics include vascular density, vessel tortuosity, vascular network fractal dimension, and tissue vascularity. We demonstrate the ability of this quantitative imaging approach to characterize normal and tumor vascular networks in a preclinical animal model and the potential for quantitative, longitudinal vascular treatment response monitoring.     

利用秩和条件数分析透射式超声CT的数据完备性

为了优化探头设计、估计重构图像误差,提出了一种利用秩和条件数分析透射式超声CT数据完备性的方法。首先分析了透射式超声CT的原理,透射式超声CT的测量方程可以表示成线性方程组,进而透射式超声CT的重构问题可以转化为线性方程组的求解问题。对于所选用的设计方案,描述线性方程组的可解性和解的稳定性的秩和条件数可以用来评估其数据完备性、估计重构图像误差。数学分析和试验结果表明,只有在测量方程组满秩时才可以求得唯一解,在测量误差和介质不均匀性相同时,重构误差近似正比与方程组的条件数,因此可以使用测量方程组的秩和条件数来衡量设计方案的数据完备性,指导实际装置的设计。     

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.     

基于射线模型的超声声速层析算法研究进展

得益于超声换能器硬件的进步和数据采集速度的提升,超声层析成像近年来得到了越来越多的关注,特别是在乳腺成像领域.超声层析成像中的声速图像分布可以为乳腺组织表征提供良好的定量分析数据,进而使得超声层析成像在乳腺癌的诊断方面有着良好的应用前景.目前,超声声速层析重建方法主要包括基于射线模型和全波模型的两大类算法.基于射线模型...     

Shadow effects in simulated ultrasound images derived from computed tomography images using a focused beam tracing model

Simulation of ultrasound images based on computed tomography (CT) data has previously been performed with different approaches. Shadow effects are normally pronounced in ultrasound images, so they should be included in the simulation. In this study, a method to capture the shadow effects has been developed, which makes the simulated ultrasound images appear more realistic. The method using a focused beam tracing model gives diffuse shadows that are similar to the ones observed in measurements on real objects. Ultrasound images of a cod (Gadus morhua) were obtained with a BK Medical 2202 ProFocus ultrasound scanner (BK Medical, Herlev, Denmark) equipped with a dedicated research interface giving access to beamformed radio frequency data. CT images were obtained with an Aquilion ONE Toshiba CT scanner (Toshiba Medical Systems Corp., Tochigi, Japan). CT data were mapped from Hounsfield units to backscatter strength, attenuation coefficients, and characteristic acoustic impedance. The focused beam tracing model was used to create maps of the transmission coefficient and scattering strength maps. Field II was then used to simulate an ultrasound image of 38.9 × 55.3 × 4.5 mm, using 10(6) point scatterers. As there is no quantitative method to assess quality of a simulated ultrasound image compared to a measured one, visual inspection was used for evaluation.     

Adaptive multi-sample-based photoacoustic tomography with imaging quality optimization

The energy of light exposed on human skin is compulsively limited for safety reasons which affects the power of photoacoustic(PA) signal and its signal-to-noise ratio(SNR) level. Thus, the final reconstructed PA image quality is degraded. This Letter proposes an adaptive multi-sample-based approach to enhance the SNR of PA signals and in addition, detailed information in rebuilt PA images that used to be buried in the noise can be distinguished. Both ex vivo and in vivo experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness of our proposed method which provides its potential value in clinical trials.     

环形阵列超声断层扫描高分辨率成像方法

介绍了针对环形阵列超声断层扫描的高分辨率全波形反演成像方法,不同于传统的延时叠加和渡越时间断层扫描,该方法充分考虑声传播的透射、反射、散射等特点,通过数据匹配的方法重构目标体声学参数图像。开发了环形超声换能器阵列构建超声断层扫描成像系统,并设计了适合检验成像算法的数值和物理模型,分别使用基于射线理论的回波延时叠加和初至波渡越时间断层扫描、以及基于波动理论的全波形反演方法对目标体进行图像重建,并对比其原理、分辨率、计算量等方面的特点,系统性分析了波动方法相对传统射线方法的优点和不足。结果表明,全波形反演这类充分考虑接收信号多种物理特征的方法可用于较高分辨率的声参数成像,适合与传统方法结合设计有效的超声断层扫描成像系统。     

有限方位扫描的光声断层成像分辨率研究

通过有限元仿真实验,定量地研究了有限方位扫描对反投影光声断层成像分辨率的影响,并且给出了有限方位扫描角与分辨率之间关系的经验公式.本文的研究结果对光声成像扫描轨迹设计、成像效果评估等具有参考价值. 关键词： 光声成像 有限方位扫描 分辨率 断层成像     

基于聚焦光声层析技术的甲状腺离体组织成像

对人体甲状腺内的病变组织进行定位和成像对于准确诊断和有效治疗甲状腺疾病是至关重要的. 本文评估了利用光声层析技术对离体甲状腺组织进行成像的可行性, 并利用基于30 MHz超声换能器的聚焦光声成像系统对甲状腺进行扫描成像. 实验中成像系统的横向分辨率和纵向分辨率分别达到了350 μupm和74 μupm. 分别对正常离体甲状腺组织和模拟病变甲状腺组织进行光声成像. 实验结果表明, 本成像系统能够有效区分和鉴别正常甲状腺组织和病变组织. 此项技术有望进一步提高甲状腺疾病诊断的准确率, 以便更为有效地指导疾病的治疗, 具有潜在的临床应用前景.     

Speckle variance detection of microvasculature using swept-source optical coherence tomography

We report on imaging of microcirculation by calculating the speckle variance of optical coherence tomography (OCT) structural images acquired using a Fourier domain mode-locked swept-wavelength laser. The algorithm calculates interframe speckle variance in two-dimensional and three-dimensional OCT data sets and shows little dependence to the Doppler angle ranging from 75 degrees to 90 degrees . We demonstrate in vivo detection of blood flow in vessels as small as 25 microm in diameter in a dorsal skinfold window chamber model with direct comparison with intravital fluorescence confocal microscopy. This technique can visualize vessel-size-dependent vascular shutdown and transient vascular occlusion during Visudyne photodynamic therapy and may provide opportunities for studying therapeutic effects of antivascular treatments without on exogenous contrast agent.     

Feasibility of photoacoustic tomography for ophthalmology

For the eyeball composed of membrane and liquid, the contrast of ultrasound imaging is not high due to its small variance in acoustic impedance. As a new imaging modality, photoacoustic tomography combines the advantages of pure optical and ultrasonic imaging together and can provide high resolution, high contrast images. In this paper, the feasibility of photoacoustic tomography for ophthalmology is studied experimentally. A Q-switched Nd:YAG pulsed laser with 7-ns pulse width is used to generate photoacoustic signal of a porcine eyeball in vitro. The two-dimensional (2D) optical absorption image of the entire eyeball is reconstructed by time-domain spherical back projection algorithm. The imaging results agree well with the histological structure of the eyeball and show a high imaging contrast.     

Monte Carlo light transport-based blood vessel quantification using linear array photoacoustic tomography

Photoacoustic tomography is a noninvasive and nonionized biomedical imaging modality but it cannot reveal the inner structure and sideward boundary information of blood vessels in the linear array detection mode.In contrast,Monte Carlo(MC) light transport could provide the optical fluence distribution around the entire vascular area.This research explores the combination of linear array transducer-based photoacoustic tomography and MC light transport in the blood vessel quantification.Simulation,phantom,and in vivo experiments are in good correlation with the ultrasound imaging,validating this approach can clearly visualize the internal region of blood vessels from background tissue.     

Physical analysis of breast cancer using dual-source computed tomography

This study was aimed to analyze various physical characteristics of breast cancer using dual-source computed tomography (CT). A phantom study and a clinical trial were performed in order and a 64-multidetector CT device was used for the examinations. In the phantom study, single-source (SS) CT was set up with a conventional scanning condition that is usually applied for breast CT examination and implementation was done at tube voltage of 120?kVp. Dual-source CT acquired images by irradiating X-ray sources with fast switching between two kilovoltage settings (80 and 140?kVp). After scanning, Hounsfield Unit (HU) values and radiation doses in a region of interest were measured and analyzed. In the clinical trial, the HU values were measured and analyzed after single-source computed tomography (SSCT) and dual-source CT in patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Also, the tumor size measured by dual-source CT was compared with the actual tumor size. The phantom study determined that the tumor region was especially measured by dual-source CT, while nylon fiber and specks region were especially measured by SSCT. The radiation dose was high with dual-source CT. The clinical trial showed a higher HU value of cancerous regions when scanned by dual-source CT compared with SSCT.     

Theory and analysis of frequency-domain photoacoustic tomography

A new frequency-domain approach to photoacoustic tomography has recently been proposed, promising to overcome some of the shortcomings associated with the pulsed photoacoustic approach. This approach offers many of the benefits of pulsed photoacoustics but requires a different set of equations for modeling of the forward and inverse problems due to the longer time scales involved in the optical input signal. The theory of photoacoustic tomography with an optical input that is not necessarily a short pulse is considered in this paper. The full optical, thermal, and acoustic governing equations are derived. A transfer function approach is taken for the solution and analysis of this problem. The results and implications are compared with those of pulsed photoacoustics and traditional ultrasonic diffraction tomography. A Fourier diffraction theorem is also presented, which could be used as a basis for the development of tomographic imaging algorithms.     

成像深度对光声层析成像的影响

为了研究不同成像深度对光声层析成像质量的影响,利用多元线性阵列探测器在有限方位进行探测成像。由仿真和实验结果表明,吸收体离探测器越近,其成像效果较好,当多元线性阵列探测器的尺寸与成像深度比小于1时,重建图像畸变明显。在这种情况下,采用旋转扫描探测,其成像效果明显提高。该研究结果对光声层析成像扫描轨迹的设计、成像效果评估具有较好的参考价值。     

Shape-based ultrasound tomography using a Born model with application to high intensity focused ultrasound therapy

A shaped-based ultrasound tomography method is proposed to reconstruct ellipsoidal objects using a linearized scattering model. The method is motivated by the desire to detect the presence of lesions created by high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in applications of cancer therapy. The computational size and limited view nature of the relevant three-dimensional inverse problem renders impractical the use of traditional pixel-based reconstruction methods. However, by employing a shape-based parametrization it is only necessary to estimate a small number of unknowns describing the geometry of the lesion, in this paper assumed to be ellipsoidal. The details of the shape-based nonlinear inversion method are provided. Results obtained from a commercial ultrasound scanner and a tissue phantom containing a HIFU-like lesion demonstrate the feasibility of the approach where a 20 mm x 5 mm x 6 mm ellipsoidal inclusion was detected with an accuracy of around 5%.     

A novel dosimetry system for computed tomography using phototransistor

Computed tomography (CT) dosimetry normally uses an ionization chamber 100 mm long to estimate the computed tomography dose index (CTDI), however some reports have already indicated that small devices could replace the long ion chamber to improve quality assurance procedures in CT dosimetry. This paper presents a novel dosimetry system based in a commercial phototransistor evaluated for CT dosimetry. Three detector configurations were developed for this system: with a single, two and four devices. Dose profile measurements were obtained with them and their angular responses were evaluated. The results showed that the novel dosimetry system with the phototransistor could be an alternative for CT dosimetry. It allows to obtain the CT dose profile in details and also to estimate the CTDI in longer length than the 100 mm pencil chamber. The angular response showed that the one device detector configuration is the most adequate among the three configurations analyzed in this study.