Raman computed tomography (raman-ct) system and method

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical tomography scanning system (1) for 3D imaging of an object (100), for example an experimental rodent or a patient, using Raman scattered light from the object. A laser (10) and an optical configuration (20) for fixating the object and arranged for rotation (Θ) is provided, and an optical receiving part (30) receives Raman scattered light. The optical receiving part has a detector array (35) for receiving the Raman scattered light in two spatial dimensions (X, Z), and optical guide means (37) convey Raman scattered light to a spectrometer (38), where multiple spectra are recorded for the two spatial dimensions for each relative rotational position (Θ) of the object. A 3D image reconstruction of the object based on the multiple spectra at a plurality of relative rotational positions (Θ) of the object enables 3D tomographic imaging of the object, such as an experimental rat.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a Raman computed tomography (Raman-CT, or just R-CT) system and a corresponding method. Thus, the invention relates to a Raman computed tomography where 3D images can be obtained like with conventional CT images using X-ray or PET. However, the present invention using Raman CT is label-free and does not require injection of any chemical reagents at all. Furthermore, because the invention relies on Raman in-elastic scattering there is obtained a chemical “fingerprint” of any embedded materials. This could be especially important for non-invasive clinical diagnostics and for research purposes using e.g. experimental mice for medical testing, and also opens the possibility of using Raman CT for medical imaging and diagnosis of human patients.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Tomography is the process of generating cross-sectional images by using penetrating waves such as electromagnetic or acoustic. Tomography is used in a vas...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention aims to provide a more efficient and flexible Raman CT system that can quickly and reliably tomographic 3D images of an object without using spatial priors obtained through techniques such as micro-CT, which involves the use of ionizing radiation. The system uses a detector array and optical guide means to convey a Raman spectrum from the object, allowing for parallel acquisition of spectra and fast scanning. This invention can be particularly useful for imaging macroscopic objects such as patients or animals.

Problems solved by technology

In another variant, CT can be performed or supplemented by positron emission tomography (PET), but all these CT variants have the disadvantage of exposing the patients to some level of ionizing radiation, which limits and complicate the use of these CT techniques.

Thus, this technique is therefore not suitable for up-scaling because it requires a close-fit between the optical configuration and the object being examined.

This is undesirable for medical purposes, owing to the aforementioned use of ionizing radiation.

The technique is applied to the detection of calcifications in human breast tissues, but is apparently not applied to obtain 3D tomographic scanning of where exactly the calcification is located in the breast.

Likewise, this reference applies a contact mode, or near contact mode, with the object being examined, which makes it complex and difficult to use for other body parts, or for different patients.

Also no genuine 3D tomographic scanning of the body part is provided.

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