Signal detectability in diffusive media using phased arrays in conjunction with detector arrays

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Optical Physics
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Conventional phased array systems often use single detectors, limiting signal detectability.
• Detecting small inhomogeneities and distinguishing adjacent abnormalities in diffusive media presents significant challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the Hotelling observer performance of a phased array system using a detector array for improved signal detectability.
• To evaluate the system's capability in detecting small inhomogeneities and distinguishing adjacent abnormalities in uniform diffusive media.

Main Methods:

• Simulations were performed using a CCD-based detector array on a phantom exit surface.
• Hotelling observer detectability was calculated and compared to conventional single detector measurements.
• The impact of modulation frequency and detector pixel size on observer performance was analyzed.

Main Results:

• The CCD-based phased array system dramatically improved detectability for both tasks compared to single detector systems.
• High detectability was achieved, particularly at low modulation frequencies.
• An optimal modulation frequency was identified for maximizing detectability in the CCD-based phased array system.

Conclusions:

• CCD-based phased array systems offer potential for high resolution and signal detectability in tomographic diffusive imaging.
• These systems can operate effectively at very low modulation frequencies.
• Detector configuration parameters, like pixel size, influence overall observer performance.