U-Net enhanced real-time LED-based photoacoustic imaging.
J Biophotonics
; 17(6): e202300465, 2024 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38622811
ABSTRACT
Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is hybrid imaging modality with good optical contrast and spatial resolution. Portable, cost-effective, smaller footprint light emitting diodes (LEDs) are rapidly becoming important PA optical sources. However, the key challenge faced by the LED-based systems is the low light fluence that is generally compensated by high frame averaging, consequently reducing acquisition frame-rate. In this study, we present a simple deep learning U-Net framework that enhances the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast of PA image obtained by averaging low number of frames. The SNR increased by approximately four-fold for both in-class in vitro phantoms (4.39 ± 2.55) and out-of-class in vivo models (4.27 ± 0.87). We also demonstrate the noise invariancy of the network and discuss the downsides (blurry outcome and failure to reduce the salt & pepper noise). Overall, the developed U-Net framework can provide a real-time image enhancement platform for clinically translatable low-cost and low-energy light source-based PA imaging systems.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
/
Phantoms, Imaging
/
Photoacoustic Techniques
/
Signal-To-Noise Ratio
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
J Biophotonics
Journal subject:
BIOFISICA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States