SWIR Tomographic Imaging for Accurate Tissue Absorption Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical tomographic imaging techniques face limitations due to strong light scattering in tissues, leading to reduced resolution and accuracy in reconstructing optical absorption maps, which are essential for analyzing anatomical properties and biological processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of short-wave infrared (SWIR) radiation with wavelengths between 1000 nm to 1500 nm for tomographic imaging, allowing for multi-angle projection tomography that directly relates light attenuation to tissue optical properties, thereby reducing the need for complex diffusive models and improving the accuracy of absorption map reconstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical tomographic imaging uses conventional light wavelengths, then the imaging system can provide functional information about tissue oxygenation and hemoglobin concentration, but strong light scattering in tissue reduces resolution and reconstruction accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the illumination light from conventional visible or near-infrared wavelengths to short-wave infrared wavelengths (2000-10000 nm). This parameter change reduces light scattering in tissue while maintaining penetration depth, thereby simultaneously improving both resolution and reconstruction accuracy without sacrificing the ability to obtain functional tissue information
2Reliability
If complex diffusive models are used to account for photon scattering, then the tomographic reconstruction can attempt to correct for scattering effects, but the models introduce significant inaccuracies and artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic diffusive modeling step from the tomographic reconstruction process. By using short-wave infrared light that experiences reduced scattering, the system eliminates the need to account for complex photon diffusion effects through mathematical models, thereby removing the source of modeling errors and artifacts while simplifying the reconstruction algorithm
3Measurement precision
If forward models account for multiple scattering of photons, then the model attempts to describe realistic light propagation, but the accuracy is limited by the accuracy with which optical properties of tissue are known
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter to short-wave infrared, which fundamentally alters the light-tissue interaction regime. This reduction in scattering effects means that forward models no longer need to accurately account for multiple scattering events, thereby removing the dependency on precise knowledge of tissue optical scattering properties and improving reconstruction accuracy
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 approach provides accurate and quantitative optical absorption maps that enhance the resolution and reliability of anatomical and biological assessments, improving the accuracy of tomographic reconstructions and complementing other imaging modalities like fluorescence tomography.
Implementation Method 1
strong scattering that light propagating through tissue undergoes
Implementation Method 2
maps of tissue absorption at optical wavelengths are capable of providing biological functional information
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein are systems and methods for tomographic imaging of a region of interest in a subject using short-wave infrared light to provide for accurate reconstruction of absorption maps within the region of interest. The reconstructed absorption maps are representations of the spatial variation in tissue absorption within the region of interest. The reconstructed absorption maps can themselves be used to analyze anatomical properties and biological processes within the region of interest, and/or be used as input information about anatomical properties in order to facilitate data processing used to obtain images of the region of interest via other imaging modalities. For example, the reconstructed absorption maps may be incorporated into forward models that are used in tomographic reconstruction processing in fluorescence and other contrast-based tomographic imaging modalities. Incorporating reconstructed absorption maps into other tomographic reconstruction processing algorithms in this manner improves the accuracy of the resultant reconstructions.