US 2010/0249606 A1Published application

Method and device for reconstructing a fluorescence image of the interior of a turbid medium

AssigneeKoninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.

InventorsRONNY ZIEGLER, TIM NIELSEN

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Abstract

A method for reconstructing a fluorescence image of the interior of a turbid medium is provided. Initial Green's functions for the light propagation in the turbid medium for irradiation light are calculated from the diffusion equation based on an initial assumption for the optical properties of the turbid medium. Optical properties are reconstructed as a function of the position in the interior of the turbid medium based on the results of an attenuation measurement. Updated Green's functions for the light propagation in the turbid medium for irradiation light are calculated from the diffusion equation based on the reconstructed optical properties of the turbid medium. Updated Green's functions for the light propagation in the turbid medium for fluorescence light are calculated from the diffusion equation based on the reconstructed optical properties of the turbid medium and based on an assumed contrast agent distribution. The spatial distribution of a fluorescent contrast agent is reconstructed based on the results of the fluorescence measurement. Updated Green's functions for the light propagation in the turbid medium for fluorescence light are calculated from the diffusion equation based on the reconstructed optical properties of the turbid medium and based on the reconstructed spatial distribution of the contrast agent. An updated spatial distribution of the fluorescent contrast agent is reconstructed based on the results of the fluorescence measurement.

Claims12

Dependent claims

Method for reconstructing a fluorescence image of the interior of a turbid medium (1), the method comprising the steps:

accommodating a turbid medium (1) to which a fluorescent contrast agent has been administered in a measurement volume (4),
performing an attenuation measurement by irradiating the turbid medium (1) with irradiation light and detecting light emanating from the turbid medium;
performing a fluorescence measurement by irradiating the turbid medium (1) with light causing the fluorescent contrast agent to emit fluorescence light and detecting the fluorescence light emanating from the turbid medium;
the method further comprising the steps:
i) calculating initial Green's functions for the light propagation in the turbid medium for irradiation light from the diffusion equation based on an initial assumption for the optical properties of the turbid medium;
ii) reconstructing optical properties as a function of the position in the interior of the turbid medium based on the results of the attenuation measurement;
iii) calculating updated Green's functions for the light propagation in the turbid medium for irradiation light from the diffusion equation based on the reconstructed optical properties of the turbid medium;
iv) calculating updated Green's functions for the light propagation in the turbid medium for the fluorescence light from the diffusion equation;
v) reconstructing the spatial distribution of the fluorescent contrast agent based on the results of the fluorescence measurement;
vi) recalculating updated Green's functions for the light propagation in the turbid medium for fluorescence light from the diffusion equation based on the reconstructed optical properties of the turbid medium and based on the reconstructed spatial distribution of the contrast agent;
and
vii) reconstructing an updated spatial distribution of the fluorescent contrast agent based on the results of the fluorescence measurement.

9 more elements

Device for reconstructing a fluorescence image of the interior of a turbid medium (1), the device comprising:

a measurement volume (4) adapted for receiving a turbid medium (1) to be examined;
a light source unit (6) adapted for irradiating the interior of the measurement volume (4);
a detection unit (7) adapted for detecting light emanating from the interior of the measurement volume (4);
the light source unit (6) and the detection unit (7) being adapted such that a plurality of combinations of source position and detection position corresponding to a plurality of different light paths through the measurement volume (4) are provided;
and
a control and reconstruction unit (8) adapted to control the device to:
perform an attenuation measurement by irradiating the turbid medium with irradiation light and detecting light emanating from the turbid medium;
perform a fluorescence measurement by irradiating the turbid medium with light causing a fluorescent contrast agent administered to the turbid medium to emit fluorescence light and detecting the fluorescence light emanating from the turbid medium;
the control and reconstruction unit (8) being adapted to:
i) calculate initial Green's functions for the light propagation in the turbid medium for irradiation light from the diffusion equation based on an initial assumption for the optical properties of the turbid medium;
ii) reconstruct optical properties as a function of the position in the interior of the turbid medium based on the results of the attenuation measurements;
iii) calculate updated Green's functions for the light propagation in the turbid medium for irradiation light from the diffusion equation based on the reconstructed optical properties of the turbid medium;
iv) calculate updated Green's functions for the light propagation in the turbid medium for the fluorescence light from the diffusion equation;
v) reconstruct the spatial distribution of the fluorescent contrast agent based on the results of the fluorescence measurement;
vi) recalculate updated Green's functions for the light propagation in the turbid medium for fluorescence light from the diffusion equation based on the reconstructed optical properties of the turbid medium and based on the reconstructed spatial distribution of the contrast agent;
and
vii) reconstruct an updated spatial distribution of the fluorescent contrast agent based on the results of the fluorescence measurement.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.