Safe, rapid & functional pediatric brain imaging using photoacoustic computed tomography

摘要(最多30行) 目的：研制一种安全、快速、实用的儿科三维重建系统并对其进行评价 基于光声计算机断层扫描(PACT)的神经成像模式。 意义：神经成像技术在初始检测中发挥着越来越重要的作用 以及随后对儿童各种脑部疾病和损伤的监测。这类应用包括 创伤性脑损伤(TBI)和肿瘤的检测和处理，卒中风险评估 患有镰状细胞病的儿童，以及早产儿的大脑成像，仅举几例。然而， 现有的成像方法有很大的缺点。例如，重复的X射线CT研究仍然存在 因辐射暴露的长期影响而备受争议。由于MRI成像较低，因此需要镇静 速度，这会带来安全风险。漫反射光学层析成像存在固有的低空间分辨率问题。 理论基础：我们建议开发一种3D PACT神经成像模式，它将绕过这些限制 并填补了现有技术留下的一个重要空白。PACT可以剥削强者 基于高强度内源性血红蛋白的病变或受损脑组织的光吸收对比 深度的空间分辨率。与现有的高分辨率儿童神经成像相比，它具有独特的优势 方式包括：1)测量损伤信息(解剖和功能)，以补充 2)快速成像，无需在床边或手术室使用镇静剂； 3)使用非电离辐射；4)成本相对较低。 挑战：虽然被广泛认为是不可能的，但我们的团队最近建立了技术 经颅PACT的可行性，为儿科影像应用提供了巨大的潜力。然而， 为了将这项技术转化为临床环境，仍有几个工程挑战需要解决。 例如，必须设计一种系统，能够以最小的运动快速成像未服用镇静剂的婴儿 手工艺品。成像系统必须允许近乎均匀的光传输到大脑，并允许完全- 查看声学检测。此外，必须开发专门的图像重建方法，以 补偿由于头骨造成的测量PACT数据的失真。 解决方案：我们的创新研究计划将产生一种绕过这些挑战的PACT成像器 并将产生一种高度有效和安全的儿科神经成像方式。以下是具体目标 是为实现这一目标而设计的。 目的1：研制儿童经颅PACT成像仪。 目的2：开发用于成像仪的PACT图像重建算法。 目的3：通过计算机模拟和物理模型验证所提出的成像系统。 目的4：利用活体受试者对所提出的成像系统进行验证。

ABSTRACT (30 Lines Max) Objective: To develop and evaluate a safe, rapid, and functional three-dimensional (3D) pediatric neuroimaging modality based on photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT). Significance: Neuroimaging technologies are playing an increasingly important role in the initial detection and subsequent monitoring of a wide range of brain diseases and injuries in children. Such applications include detection and management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and tumors, the assessment of risk of stroke in children with sickle cell disease, and imaging the preterm children brain, to name only a few. However, the available imaging methods possess significant shortcomings. For example, repeated X-ray CT studies remains controversial for the long-term effects of radiation exposure. MRI requires sedation due to its low imaging speed, which poses safety risks. Diffuse optical tomography suffers from inherently low spatial resolution. Rationale: We propose to develop a 3D PACT neuroimaging modality that would circumvent the limitations of existing methods and fill an important void left by the available techniques. PACT can exploit the strong optical absorption contrast of diseased or damaged brain tissues based on endogenous hemoglobin at high spatial resolution at depths. Its specific advantages over existing high-resolution pediatric neuroimaging modalities include: 1) measurement of injury information (anatomical and functional) that is complementary to that revealed by existing methods; 2) rapid imaging without need for sedation at bedside or in operating rooms; 3) use of non-ionizing radiation; and 4) relatively low-cost. Challenges: While widely thought to be impossible, our team has recently established the technical feasibility of transcranial PACT, promising enormous potential for pediatric imaging applications. However, several engineering challenges remain to be solved in order to translate this technology to a clinical setting. For example, a system must be designed that can rapidly image an unsedated infant with minimal motion artifacts. The imaging system must permit approximately uniform light delivery to the brain and allow for full- view acoustic detection. Additionally, specialized image reconstruction methods must be developed that can compensate for distortions in the measured PACT data due to the skull. Solutions: Our innovative research plan will result in a PACT imager that circumvents these challenges and will result in a highly effective and safe pediatric neuroimaging modality. The following specific aims have been designed to accomplish this. Aim 1: To develop a pediatric transcranial PACT imager. Aim 2: To develop PACT image reconstruction algorithms for use with the imager. Aim 3: To validate the proposed imaging system via computer simulations and physical phantoms. Aim 4: To validate the proposed imaging system using human subjects in vivo.