Performance test methods for near-infrared fluorescence imaging.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biophotonics
• Optical Diagnostics

Background:

• Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging is vital for visualizing vasculature and detecting cancer using targeted or untargeted agents.
• Standardization of NIRF imaging technologies is needed for objective, quantitative testing of image quality characteristics.
• Developing rigorous test methods applicable to diverse devices is essential for reliable performance evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish best practices for objective, quantitative testing of key image quality characteristics in NIRF imaging.
• To develop a comprehensive battery of test methods for evaluating wide-field fluorescence imagers.
• To facilitate the development of international standards for fluorescence image quality assessment.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated methods for phantom design, measurement, and calculation of performance metrics for NIRF imaging systems.
• Utilized a NIRF system (780 nm excitation, >830 nm detection) with indocyanine green.
• Employed multiwell plate, high turbidity planar, and 3D-printed multichannel phantoms, alongside a USAF 1951 resolution target.

Main Results:

• Developed and demonstrated a cohesive battery of test methods for assessing fluorescence image quality in wide-field imagers.
• Explored techniques to evaluate uniformity, field of view, spectral crosstalk, spatial resolution, depth of field, sensitivity, linearity, and penetration depth.
• Proposed key metrics for direct, quantitative comparison of device performance.

Conclusions:

• The developed methods provide a framework for uniform evaluation and inter-comparison of clinical and preclinical NIRF imaging systems.
• These techniques address the need for standardization in NIRF imaging technologies.
• The long-term goal is to establish international standards for fluorescence image quality assessment.