Biological Imaging Combining Photoacoustic and Diffuse Optical Methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological imaging techniques, such as diffuse optical imaging and photoacoustic imaging, face challenges in obtaining high-resolution absorption coefficient distributions and require extensive computational resources, with diffuse optical imaging struggling with multiple light scattering and long calculation times, and photoacoustic imaging finding it difficult to accurately estimate light absorption without direct measurement of light distribution.
Innovation Solution
Combining diffuse optical imaging and photoacoustic imaging to leverage each method's strengths, using photoacoustic imaging results to constrain the optical diffusion equation and reduce computational complexity, allowing for the direct calculation of light distribution and absorption coefficients, thereby enhancing resolution and quantitativity of absorption coefficient distributions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If diffuse optical imaging is used to obtain absorption coefficient distribution, then optical property information can be obtained, but calculation time becomes excessively long due to multiple light scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first obtaining the light distribution through photoacoustic imaging before using it in the diffuse optical imaging calculation. This pre-obtained light distribution is then used as a constraint in the inverse problem calculation, avoiding the need to calculate light propagation from scratch and significantly reducing computation time while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses photoacoustic imaging as an intermediary to obtain the light distribution, which then serves as a mediator for constraining the diffuse optical imaging calculation. This intermediary approach allows the system to leverage the strengths of both methods: the quantitative light distribution from photoacoustic imaging and the absorption coefficient measurement capability of diffuse optical imaging
2Measurement precision
If photoacoustic imaging is used to obtain optical property distribution, then high resolution can be achieved, but accurate estimation of light absorption is difficult without direct measurement of light distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges photoacoustic imaging and diffuse optical imaging into a combined system where both methods are used simultaneously. The photoacoustic imaging provides high-resolution optical property distribution, while the diffuse optical imaging provides direct light distribution measurements. These two information sources are integrated to achieve both high resolution and accurate light distribution estimation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the light distribution information obtained from diffuse optical imaging to refine and constrain the photoacoustic imaging results. The measured light distribution serves as feedback to improve the accuracy of the optical property distribution estimation, creating a iterative refinement process
3Loss of information
If diffuse optical imaging is used alone, then optical property information can be obtained, but image quality and quantitativity are limited due to multiple scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces photoacoustic imaging as an intermediary that provides accurate light distribution information, which then serves as a mediator to improve the diffuse optical imaging results. This intermediary approach allows the system to overcome the limitations of diffuse optical imaging alone by constraining the inverse problem with externally obtained light distribution data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the inverse problem calculation by incorporating the light distribution as a known parameter rather than solving for it simultaneously. This parameter change transforms the ill-posed inverse problem into a better-constrained problem, improving both image quality and quantitativity of the absorption coefficient distribution
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This combined approach enables the acquisition of high-resolution, accurate absorption coefficient distributions, improving image quality and reducing computational time by using photoacoustic imaging data to inform and refine diffuse optical imaging calculations.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic wave detector that detects an acoustic wave generated from a light absorption material in a living body that has absorbed a part of energy of light irradiated from the light source to the living body
Implementation Method 2
a photodetector that detects optical intensity of a portion of the light irradiated from the light source to the living body and propagating in the living body
Data Source
AI summary
A biological information imaging apparatus includes: a light source; an acoustic wave detector that detects an acoustic wave generated from a light absorption material in a living body that has absorbed a part of energy of light irradiated from the light source to the living body, and converts it into a first electric signal; a photodetector that detects optical intensity of a portion of the light irradiated from the light source to the living body and propagating in the living body, and converts it into a second electric signal; and a calculation unit that calculates optical property distribution information on the living body by making use of an analytical result of one of the first electric signal and the second electric signal for analysis of the other electric signal.