Abstract
The spatial resolution and light detected in fluorescence imaging for small animals are limited by light scattering, absorption and autofluorescence. To address this, novel near-infrared fluorescent contrast agents and imaging configurations have been investigated. In this paper, the influence of the light wavelength and imaging configurations (full-field illumination system and scanning system) on fluorescence imaging are compared quantitatively. The surface radiance for both systems is calculated by modifying the simulation tool Near-Infrared Fluorescence and Spectral Tomography. Fluorescent targets are embedded within a scattering medium at different positions. The surface radiance and spatial resolution are obtained for emission wavelengths between 620 nm and 1000 nm. It was found that the spatial resolution of the scanning system is independent of the tissue optical properties, whereas for full-field illumination, the spatial resolution degrades at longer wavelength. The full width at half maximum obtained by the scanning system is 25% lower than that obtained by the full-field illumination system when the targets are located in the middle of the phantom. The results indicate that although imaging at near-infrared wavelength can achieve a higher surface radiance, it may produce worse spatial resolution.
Highlights
Recent advances in molecular imaging technologies allow detection of physiological and pathological processes in molecular sensitivities from micromolar to picomolar level [1]
The surface radiance at the plane of the detector for the full-field illumination system is calculated for both the transmission mode and reflection mode
This study numerically investigated the influence of the optical properties and imaging configurations on the surface radiance and spatial resolution of fluorescence imaging in tissue
Summary
Recent advances in molecular imaging technologies allow detection of physiological and pathological processes in molecular sensitivities from micromolar to picomolar level [1]. Among the molecular imaging modalities, optical imaging methods offer advantages including being relatively inexpensive, rapid and easy to use. Biomedical optical imaging can provide quantitative information on structural, functional, and physiological changes from microscopic to macroscopic levels for objective diagnosis and follow-up [2]. Small animal fluorescence imaging devices can help development and assessment of new drugs, can be used to follow longitudinal changes in diseased tissue and response to intervention and can be used to validate in vitro data and enhance our understanding of in vivo events. In vivo fluorescence imaging is expected to have a significant impact on animal based research [3]
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