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Computed Tomography-guided Time-domain Diffuse Fluorescence Tomography in Small Animals for Localization of Cancer Biomarkers
Published on: July 17, 2012
A time domain fluorescence tomography system for small animal imaging
Anand T N Kumar1, Scott B Raymond, Andrew K Dunn
1Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA. ankumar@nmr.mgh.harvard.edu
IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging
|August 2, 2008
Summary
This study introduces a time domain diffuse fluorescence tomography system for whole body small animal imaging. The system effectively distinguishes fluorescent inclusions using lifetime, outperforming continuous wave methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Medical Imaging
- Fluorescence Tomography
Background:
- Whole body small animal imaging is crucial for preclinical research.
- Distinguishing fluorescent targets with overlapping signals remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply a time domain diffuse fluorescence tomography system for whole body small animal imaging.
- To evaluate an asymptotic lifetime-based tomography algorithm for resolving closely spaced fluorescent inclusions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized point excitation with ultrashort laser pulses and noncontact detection with a gated intensified CCD camera.
- Employed mouse-shaped phantoms with fluorescent inclusions of distinct lifetimes.
- Integrated photogrammetry for surface boundary acquisition and Monte Carlo modeling for photon propagation.
Main Results:
- Successfully separated axially located fluorescent inclusions with distinct lifetimes (0.5 and 0.95 ns) at depths of 4 and 10 mm.
- Demonstrated superior resolution compared to continuous wave methods for overlapping inclusions.
- Verified the performance of the asymptotic lifetime-based tomography algorithm.
Conclusions:
- The time domain diffuse fluorescence tomography system is practically feasible for whole body small animal imaging.
- Lifetime-based contrast offers significant advantages for resolving complex fluorescent signals.
- This approach enhances molecular imaging capabilities in preclinical studies.
