Frequency-domain photoacoustic phased array probe for biomedical imaging applications

We report the development of a frequency-domain biomedical photoacoustic imaging system that utilizes a continuous-wave laser source with a custom intensity modulation pattern, ultrasonic phased array for signal detection, and processing coupled with a beam-forming algorithm for reconstruction of photoacoustic correlation images. Sensitivity to optical contrast was demonstrated using tissue-mimicking phantoms and in-vivo tissue samples.     

基于声透镜成像系统的光声层析成像

光声成像是采用“光激发-超声波成像”的新型成像技术，它是检测强散射介质内部光吸收分布的一种有效医学影像技术.用短脉冲激光照射强散射介质(如生物组织)，强散射介质由于光声效应产生超声信号，使用具有成像能力的声透镜把声压分布成像于像面上，然后利用具有空间分辨能力的阵列光声传感器，把同一像面上的光声信号强度记录下来，最后根据光声信号强度的空间分布进行图像重组.根据成像系统物像共轭原理，同一物平面的光声信号到达像面的时延相等，而不同物面的光声信号到达同一个探测器平面的时延各不相同，因此，利用BOXCAR的门控积分 关键词： 光声层析成像 声透镜 光声信号     

Numerical evaluation of linearized image reconstruction based on finite element method for biomedical photoacoustic imaging

An image reconstruction algorithm for biomedical photoacoustic imaging is discussed. The algorithm solves the inverse problem of the photoacoustic phenomenon in biological media and images the distribution of large optical absorption coefficients, which can indicate diseased tissues such as cancers with angiogenesis and the tissues labeled by exogenous photon absorbers. The linearized forward problem, which relates the absorption coefficients to the detected photoacoustic signals, is formulated by using photon diffusion and photoacoustic wave equations. Both partial differential equations are solved by a finite element method. The inverse problem is solved by truncated singular value decomposition, which reduces the effects of the measurement noise and the errors between forward modeling and actual measurement systems. The spatial resolution and the robustness to various factors affecting the image reconstruction are evaluated by numerical experiments with 2D geometry.     

Tomographic imaging of absolute optical absorption coefficient in turbid media using combined photoacoustic and diffusing light measurements

We present a new method that can provide high resolution images of absolute optical absorption coefficient in heterogeneous turbid media. In this method, acoustic measurements in conventional photoacoustic tomography are combined with diffusing light measurements to separate the product of absorption coefficient and optical fluence or photon density. We validate this method using a series of tissuelike phantom experiments. The experimental results show that targets as small as 0.5 mm in diameter with optical absorption contrasts as low as 1.5 relative to a 50 mm diameter scattering background medium can be clearly detected.     

Three-dimensional free view reconstruction in axially distributed image sensing

In this Letter, we propose a three-dimensional(3D) free view reconstruction technique in axially distributed image sensing(ADS). In typical integral imaging, free view reconstructed images can be obtained by tilting all elemental images or tilting the reconstruction plane due to large lateral perspectives for 3D objects. In conventional ADS, the reconstructed images at only a front view can be generated since the sensor is moved along with its optical axis so that it has small lateral perspectives for 3D objects. However, the reconstructed 3D images at any viewing point may be obtained because the virtual viewing camera may capture these slightly different perspectives for 3D objects. Therefore, in this Letter, we employ the virtual viewing camera to visualize the 3D images at the arbitrary viewing point. To support our proposed method, we show the experimental results.     

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     

Adaptive beamforming for photoacoustic imaging

An adaptive photoacoustic image reconstruction technique that combines coherence factor (CF) weighting and the minimum variance (MV) method is introduced. The backprojection method is widely used to reconstruct photoacoustic tomography images. Owing to the scattering of light, the quality of the photoacoustic imaging can be degraded. CF, an adaptive weighting technique, is known to improve the lateral resolution of photoacoustic images. In addition, an MV adaptive beamforming method can further improve the image quality by suppressing signals from off-axis directions. Experimental studies are performed to quantify the spatial resolution and contrast of the adaptive photoacoustic beamforming methods.     

基于lp范数的压缩感知图像重建算法研究

图像重建是光学成像、光声成像、声纳成像、核磁共振成像、 天体成像等物理成像领域中的关键技术之一. 近年来提出的压缩感知理论指出: 对稀疏或者可压缩信号进行少量非自适应线性投影,投影信号含有足够的信息, 从而能对信号进行高概率重建. 压缩感知已被应用于多种物理成像系统. 将罚函数法和修正Hesse阵序列二次规划方法相结合, 并采用了分块压缩感知思想, 提出一种基于l_p范数的压缩感知图像重建算法. 以cameraman, barbara和mandrill图像为例, 采用该算法进行图像重建. 首先, 在不同采样率下对图像重建. 即便采样率低至0.3时, 也能获得高达32.23dB的信噪比, 重建图像清晰可辨. 验证了该算法的正确性. 其次, 将该算法与正交匹配追踪算法进行对比, 在采样率达到0.5以上时, 能够获得高信噪比的重建图像, 成像时间也大为减少, 特别是采样率为0.7时, 成像时间减少88%. 最后, 与现有基于l_p 范数的压缩感知图像重建算法进行对比, 计算结果表明在成像质量有所提高的基础上, 成像时间大为缩短. 关键词： 图像重建 压缩感知 罚函数 修正Hesse阵序列二次规划     

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。     

光声信号的双谱分析方法研究

基于光声效应的光声光谱技术是光学与声学的有机结合, 可利用不同波长的入射光波, 产生不同的光声信号, 从而为组分识别、组织无损检测等提供高对比度图像, 是一种极具潜力的新型医学诊断技术.但光声光谱检测技术由于受检测方法的制约, 往往扫描时间较长, 而且信号的稳定性和图像识别的准确性也较差. 为了弥补单一光声光谱分析的局限性, 根据光声效应原理和振动理论, 提出了一种光声光谱与光声频谱相结合的双谱分析方法. 该方法通过光声频域信息的定量分析, 可以有效地提高不同组织的光声图像对比度, 从而提高光声成像的组分识别能力, 为光声频谱功能成像奠定理论基础. 实验结果显示, 光声光谱与光声频谱相结合的双谱分析方法可以较好地识别实验组织样品, 可实现高速、高分辨率的组分识别、组织探伤等, 具有广泛的应用前景和重要的临床诊断意义. 关键词： 光声成像 光声光谱分析 光声频谱分析     

基于代数重建算法的有限角度扫描的光声成像

由于滤波反投影重建算法要求对成像区域进行全方位扫描以获取完全投影数据,它需要较长时间采集大量数据,使其在医学上的应用受到限制。研究了在有限角度下采用代数重建算法进行光声成像的方法,实验用的光源为YAG激光器,波长为1064nm,重复频率20Hz,脉宽为6ns,探测器为针状的磺化聚二氟乙烯(PVDF)膜水听器,接收面积的直径为1mm,从仿真和实验结果表明该方法适用于“非完备投影数据”的光声层析成像。从图像重建效果上与滤波反投影算法相比较,该成像算法提高了重建图像的分辨率和对比度。采用代数重建算法的有限角度的光声成像方法,对临床医学的无损伤检测,具有重要的意义。     

Photoacoustic image reconstruction based on Bayesian compressive sensing algorithm

The photoacoustic tomography (PAT) method, based on compressive sensing (CS) theory, requires that, for the CS reconstruction, the desired image should have a sparse representation in a known transform domain. However, the sparsity of photoacoustic signals is destroyed because noises always exist. Therefore, the original sparse signal cannot be effectively recovered using the general reconstruction algorithm. In this study, Bayesian compressive sensing (BCS) is employed to obtain highly sparse representations of photoacoustic images based on a set of noisy CS measurements. Results of simulation demonstrate that the BCS-reconstructed image can achieve superior performance than other state-of-the-art CS-reconstruction algorithms.     

Depth-control method for integral imaging

We present a method for controlling the depth of three-dimensional (3D) images reconstructed by integral photography. Incoherent light is reflected from 3D objects, propagates through a lens array, and is captured as the first elemental images by a capturing device. The second elemental images of the 3D images are generated by numerical processing from the first elemental images in accordance with the desired depth. The optical reconstruction of 3D images at the desired depth by the second elemental images is confirmed experimentally.     

不同旋转扫描次数对光声层析成像的影响

为了实现单元探测器高质量的快速光声图像重建,提出了不同旋转扫描次数对光声层析成像的影响方案。实验采用的光源为YAG激光器,波长为1 064 nm,重复频率为20 Hz,脉宽为7 ns,探测器为针状的PVDF膜水听器,接收直径为1 mm,得到了26个字母、12根头发丝、树叶骨架和模拟血管的光声重建图像。由仿真和实验结果表明,在不牺牲光声重建图像质量的前提下,单元探测器环形扫描一圈,均匀采集100个位置的信号,图像重建时间为5.903 s。该研究结果对于单元探测器的快速旋转扫描成像和环形阵列探测器阵元数的设计具有一定的指导意义。     

Effects of size and arrangement of virtual transducer on photoacoustic tomography

In this paper, we investigate the effects of the relative size and arrangement of a virtual transducer on the image quality in limited-view photoacoustic tomography. A virtual transducer refers to the acoustic scatterers used to reflect photoacoustic waves and improve the images reconstructed from incomplete PA signal. Size and spatial arrangement determine the performance of the virtual transducer. In this study, the scatterers utilized as virtual transducers are arranged in different manners, such as on a straight line or on an arc line. We find that virtual transducers with a big distributing angle can provide more significant image improvement than with a small distributing angle, which is similar to the true transducers. We also change the size of virtual transducer and study its influence on image quality. It is found that the bigger scatterers provide better images than the smaller ones. Especially, when the size of scatterers is reduced to the wavelength of photoacoustic wave, the image quality observably decreases, owing to the strong diffraction effect. Thus, it is suggested that the size of the acoustical scatterers should be much larger than the photoacoustic wavelength. The simulations are conducted, and the results could be helpful for the application and further study of virtual transducer theory in limited-view photoacoustic tomography.     

光声信号的声透镜层析成像研究

提出了一种用声透镜实现光声层析成像的新模式。从理论上计算出了声透镜的响应，测出了已知声场中标准物像面处的声场分布。考虑到圆形活塞振源的指向性，对代表物成像进行了理论修正，并与实验结果做了对比分析。研究表明，利用声透镜可以实现光声层析成像，并经图像重构得到了生物组织中异物的光声图像，横向、纵向分辨力较高。     

血管内光声图像的建模与仿真

为了给血管内光声(intravascular photoacoustic,IVPA)成像的图像重建算法和图像后处理算法提供数据源,为培训医师提供图像库,提出一种二维IVPA图像的建模与仿真方法。建立包含斑块的血管横截面模型,并对成像导管发射激光脉冲照射血管壁组织、血管壁组织产生光声信号、利用得到的一组光声信号重建IVPA图像整个过程进行仿真,得到血管横截面模型的二维IVPA灰阶图像,同时根据冠状动脉血管随心脏搏动的规律,实现序列图像的仿真。利用仿真模型得到的IVPA图像与原电磁吸收分布图接近程度较高。仿真模型的物理意义清晰,可得到质量稳定的IVPA图像。      

利用维纳滤波改善声透镜光声成像系统的分辨率

为了克服衍射效应对光声成像系统分辨率的限制,需要采用逆卷积方法进行图像反演.从理论上分析了声透镜成像原理,模拟仿真了声透镜的点扩展函数对声透镜成像系统分辨率的影响和维纳滤波解卷积方法复原光声成像的过程,并利用自搭建的声透镜光声成像系统进行了深入的实验研究,得到了物平面上相距4 mm和3 mm的两个黑胶带点的直接成像光声...     

Photoacoustic and ultrasonic coimage with a linear transducer array

A technique is developed to simultaneously acquire ultrasound and photoacoustic (PA) images based on a linear transducer array. The system uses conventional ultrasound for rapid identification of potential targets. After a target is identified, the ultrasound echo and PA signals can be simultaneously obtained with optimized excitation and a signal collection sequence. The corresponding ultrasound impedance and optical absorption images are reconstructed with a phase-controlled algorithm. The approach can effectively reduce the artifacts associated with a conventional filter backprojection algorithm used in PA imaging by linear scanning. The technique provides a new approach for practical applications.     

Quantum theory of super-resolution for optical systems with circular apertures

We present the two-dimensional quantum theory of super-resolution, applicable for a large variety of optical systems with circular pupils. Our theory is formulated in terms of circular prolate spheroidal functions which form the eigen basis of two-dimensional imaging system with circular pupils. We provide, in particular, analytical and numerical results for the point-spread function characterizing reconstruction of optical objects with super-resolution from diffraction-limited images. We evaluate the super-resolution factor as a function of the signal-to-noise ratio in the input object for coherent light and multimode squeezed light.