Imaging workflow and calibration for CT-guided time-domain fluorescence tomography

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Medical Imaging
• Photon Counting

Background:

• Accurate in vivo optical tomography is crucial for small animal research.
• Time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) offers high sensitivity for fluorescence detection.
• Integrating fluorescence and transmittance data improves image reconstruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline key optimization steps for a TCSPC-based small animal optical tomography system.
• To demonstrate a workflow for time-domain image reconstruction using simultaneous fluorescence and transmittance data.
• To validate the system's fidelity for in vivo fluorescence tomography.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous collection of fluorescence and transmittance data.
• Laser time- and amplitude-referencing.
• Detector, filter, and instrument response function calibration.
• Development of a fully automated workflow for time-domain image reconstruction.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated sensitivity of TCSPC for in vivo imaging.
• Detailed calibration procedures for accurate data processing.
• Successful time-domain image reconstruction of phantoms.
• Validation of the automated workflow for fluorescence tomography.

Conclusions:

• The optimized TCSPC system provides a robust platform for time-domain fluorescence tomography in small animals.
• The described workflow ensures accurate data processing and high-fidelity image reconstruction.
• This approach advances in vivo optical imaging capabilities for preclinical research.