Enhanced diffuse optical tomographic reconstruction using concurrent ultrasound information.

Multimodal imaging is an active branch of research as it has the potential to improve common medical imaging techniques. Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is an example of a low resolution, functional imaging modality that typically has very low resolution due to the ill-posedness of its underlying inverse problem. Combining the functional information of DOT with a high resolution structural imaging modality has been studied widely. In particular, the combination of DOT with ultrasound (US) could serve as a useful tool for clinicians for the formulation of accurate diagnosis of breast lesions. In this paper, we propose a novel method for US-guided DOT reconstruction using a portable time-domain measurement system. B-mode US imaging is used to retrieve morphological information on the probed tissues by means of a semi-automatical segmentation procedure based on active contour fitting. A two-dimensional to three-dimensional extrapolation procedure, based on the concept of distance transform, is then applied to generate a three-dimensional edge-weighting prior for the regularization of DOT. The reconstruction procedure has been tested on experimental data obtained on specifically designed dual-modality silicon phantoms. Results show a substantial quantification improvement upon the application of the implemented technique. This article is part of the theme issue 'Synergistic tomographic image reconstruction: part 2'.

Heterodyne frequency-domain multispectral diffuse optical tomography of breast cancer in the parallel-plane transmission geometry.

PURPOSE: The authors introduce a state-of-the-art all-optical clinical diffuse optical tomography (DOT) imaging instrument which collects spatially dense, multispectral, frequency-domain breast data in the parallel-plate geometry. METHODS: The instrument utilizes a CCD-based heterodyne detection scheme that permits massively parallel detection of diffuse photon density wave amplitude and phase for a large number of source-detector pairs (10(6)). The stand-alone clinical DOT instrument thus offers high spatial resolution with reduced crosstalk between absorption and scattering. Other novel features include a fringe profilometry system for breast boundary segmentation, real-time data normalization, and a patient bed design which permits both axial and sagittal breast measurements. RESULTS: The authors validated the instrument using tissue simulating phantoms with two different chromophore-containing targets and one scattering target. The authors also demonstrated the instrument in a case study breast cancer patient; the reconstructed 3D image of endogenous chromophores and scattering gave tumor localization in agreement with MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging with a novel parallel-plate DOT breast imager that employs highly parallel, high-resolution CCD detection in the frequency-domain was demonstrated.

Anisotropic wave propagation and apparent conductivity estimation in a fast electrophysiological model: application to XMR interventional imaging.

Cardiac arrhythmias are increasingly being treated using ablation procedures. Development of fast electrophysiological models and estimation of parameters related to conduction pathologies can aid in the investigation of better treatment strategies during Radio-frequency ablations. We present a fast electrophysiological model incorporating anisotropy of the cardiac tissue. A global-local estimation procedure is also outlined to estimate a hidden parameter (apparent electrical conductivity) present in the model. The proposed model is tested on synthetic and real data derived using XMR imaging. We demonstrate a qualitative match between the estimated conductivity parameter and possible pathology locations. This approach opens up possibilities to directly integrate modelling in the intervention room.

Three-dimensional visualization of computerized tomography and laser scan data for the simulation of maxillo-facial surgery.

A system has been developed for the three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the face and skull using data obtained from a purpose-built no-contact laser scanning system and from a series of scans produced by X-ray computerized tomography. Features developed allow the simulation, planning and prediction of maxillo-facial surgery. Realistic skeletal and facial images with a solid 3D appearance are produced from these two datasets using computer graphics techniques. The images can be sectioned for diagnostic purposes or parts can be repositioned for the simulation of surgery. 3D measurements can be made on the images for pre- and post-surgical analysis. An example of the clinical use of the system in the planning of surgery and the prediction of post-surgical facial appearance is given.

A computer system for the interactive planning and prediction of maxillofacial surgery.

A computer system has been developed for the simulation of facial surgery with interactive three-dimensional graphic techniques and data derived from computed tomographic scans and a purpose-built laser scanning system. The simulation includes the surgery on the hard tissues, and modeling of the soft tissue for prediction of the postoperative facial appearance. The facilities available are described and an example of their use is given.

Three dimensional digitization of the face and skull.

The possibility of using computer-aided design as a tool for the planning and simulation of facial reconstruction surgery is discussed and has been shown to be feasible. Methods of acquiring the essential measurements on the facial surface and the underlying bone structure in a computer-compatible form are described, including a new approach which has been implemented using a system of fanned laser beams and a television camera for data acquisition. A mathematical analysis of the properties of this kind of imaging system is given. Finally the requirements of a complete aid to surgery system based on this approach are outlined and plans for the implementation of such a system are described.