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Published on: August 4, 2018
Fast optical transillumination tomography with large-size projection acquisition
Hsuan-Ming Huang1, Jinjun Xia, Mark A Haidekker
1Department of Biological Engineering, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|August 16, 2008
Summary
A novel optical transillumination (OT) tomography device offers rapid, cost-effective 3D imaging of scattering samples like engineered tissues. This fast OT system achieves high accuracy and improved reconstruction speeds for advanced biomechanical testing applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Optical Physics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Optical coherence tomography and diffuse optical tomography are established methods for imaging scattering biological tissues.
- Optical transillumination (OT) tomography is an underutilized modality with potential for high-speed volumetric imaging.
- Imaging tissue-engineered blood vessels is crucial for biomechanical testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a fast optical transillumination tomography device for imaging tissue-engineered blood vessels.
- To achieve high-speed 3D volumetric scans with improved image reconstruction.
- To create a simple, cost-efficient imaging system suitable for biomechanical applications.
Main Methods:
- Developed a fast OT device using a large-diameter, noncoherent light source and a large-size CMOS camera.
- Acquired 3D projections in a single sample revolution.
- Employed accelerated iterative reconstruction techniques, surpassing filtered backprojection in speed and quality.
- Validated the device using ink-filled tubes to assess geometric accuracy and absorbance recovery.
Main Results:
- Achieved weighted error of measured radius <5% even with refractive index mismatch.
- Demonstrated high linear correlation (R(2) = 0.99) with photospectrometer absorbance measurements.
- Systematically underestimated absorbance, requiring further investigation.
- Reduced reconstruction time from hours to 90 seconds per slice using optimized algorithms.
Conclusions:
- The developed fast OT device provides a simple, cost-efficient solution for rapid 3D imaging of scattering samples.
- The system shows promise for applications like imaging tissue-engineered blood vessels for biomechanical testing.
- Accelerated reconstruction significantly enhances image processing speed and quality compared to traditional methods.
