Multiprojection optical diffusion tomography

描述(由申请人提供)： 该提案涉及光学扩散层析成像(ODT)，这是一种利用近红外光对生物组织进行层析成像的成像方式。目前ODT的临床应用受到限制，部分原因是图像质量低和空间分辨率不足。提出的研究旨在通过引入多投影成像的新概念来极大地改善这些图像特征，这是在ODT背景下以前从未被探索过的。预计这样的改进将推动ODT成像方式更接近可能的临床应用和商业化。这项研究将验证以下假设：通过采取几种不同的投影(平板相对于目标的方向)，可以显著提高平板测量几何中的ODT的空间分辨率和噪声容忍度。这将通过以下具体目标来实现：具体目标1：在关于探测器的噪声水平、动态范围和灵敏度的现实假设下，在数值模拟中系统地研究多个投影对所获得图像的空间分辨率和噪声容限的影响。具体目标2：建立一种能够进行多次投影测量的ODT成像装置，并用优化的实验参数验证先前目标对简单体模(小吸收球)的数值结果。特定目的3：使用特定目的2的实验装置对小动物进行成像，如实验小鼠。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Proposal is in the area of optical diffusion tomography (ODT) which is an imaging modality that utilizes near-infrared light for tomographic imaging of biological tissues. Clinical applications of the ODT are currently limited, in part, due to low quality and inadequate spatial resolution of images. The proposed research is aimed at dramatically improving these image characteristics by introducting a novel idea of multiprojection imaging which has not been explored before in the ODT context. It is expected that such improvement will advance the ODT imaging modality closer to possible clinical applications and commercialization. The research will check the following hypothesis: The spatial resolution and noise tolerance of ODT in the slab measurement geometry can be significantly improved by taking several different projections (orientations of the slab with respect to the target). This will be achieved with through the following Specific Aims: Specific Aim 1: To study systematically the influence of multiple projections on spatial resolution and noise tolerance of obtained images in numerical simulations under realistic assumptions about the noise level and the dynamic range and sensitivity of detectors.. Specific Aim 2: To build an ODT imaging device capable of multiple projection measurements and validate the numerical results of the previous Aim for a simple phantom (a small absorbing ball) with optimal experimental parameters. Specific Aim 3: To use the experimental device of the Specific Aim 2 to image a small animal, such as a laboratory mouse.