Detection Sensitivity Of Imaging Research Articles

Note: Improving low-light-level image detection sensitivity with higher speed using auxiliary sinusoidal light signal.

An improved active imaging method, which upgraded the detection sensitivity by applying an auxiliary sawtooth wave light signal, was reported. Nevertheless, such method sacrificed the imaging speed. To speed up imaging, a sinusoidal light signal is used instead and superposed with the undetectable low-light-level signal on the image sensor. After acquiring a superimposed image set in one sine wave cycle, an unbiased low-light-level image estimation is obtained by using least-square optimization. Through probabilistic analysis and experimental study, we demonstrate that the sinusoidal signal could improve the detection sensitivity 1/3 faster than the sawtooth wave signal.

An improved active imaging method for upgrading low-light-level image detection sensitivity

Active imaging is an essential tool for low-light-level imaging. However, it has some drawbacks, such as limited imaging range and lack of security. We optimize the imaging approach by casting a saw-tooth wave auxiliary light signal over the sensor. Here, the auxiliary signal is superposed with a low-light-level signal, which is too weak to be measured by the sensor. After acquiring a superimposed image set in one saw-tooth wave circle, low-light-level image estimation is achieved by implementing least-square algorithm during data processing. This improved method not only makes active imaging overcome the drawbacks mentioned above, but also provides a feasible way to improve the low-light-level image detection sensitivity.

Employment of frame accumulation and shaped function for upgrading low-light-level image detection sensitivity

We demonstrate a novel method that employs a frame-accumulation and shaped-function technique to improve an image sensor's detection sensitivity using probability statistics. It can obtain the unbiased estimate for the low-light-level image signal, thus upgrading the signal-to-noise ratio to a high degree. It was verified by an experiment in a sealed box. By the help of a variable light beam-shaped function saw-tooth signal in front of a camera, the low-light-level shadow image that was invisible to the camera could be revealed clearly from the frame accumulation data. The method can surpass an image sensor's detection limitation.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Lesion Characterization: Single-Institution Clinical Performance Review of Multiphase Gadolinium-enhanced MR Imaging—Comparison to Prior Same-Center Results after MR Systems Improvements

To measure diagnostic performance in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by using the most recent technology and multiphase gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and to compare with earlier results at the same institution. This retrospective study was institutional review board approved and HIPAA compliant. Informed consent was obtained. Between January 2008 and April 2010, 101 patients underwent liver transplantation and pretransplantation abdominal MR imaging within 90 days. Prospective image interpretations from the clinical record were reviewed for documentation of HCC, including size, number, and location. Liver explant histologic examination provided the reference standard for lesion analysis and was performed in axial gross slices in conjunction with the MR imaging report for direct comparison. Tumors were categorized according to size (≥ 2 cm or <2 cm), and MR imaging detection sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and accuracy were calculated according to category. The Fisher exact test was used to compare results from this study against prior reported results. Thirty-five (34.7%) of 101 patients had HCC at explant analysis. Patient-based analysis of all lesions showed a sensitivity and specificity of 97.1% (34 of 35) and 100% (66 of 66), respectively. For lesions 2 cm or larger, MR imaging had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% (23 of 23) and 100% (78 of 78), respectively. For lesions smaller than 2 cm, MR imaging had a sensitivity and specificity of 82.6% (19 of 23) and 100% (78 of 78), respectively. Lesion-based sensitivity for all tumors was 91.4% (53 of 58) in the current study, compared with 77.8% in 2007 (P = .07). For lesions smaller than 2 cm, the sensitivity was 87.5% (28 of 32) in the current study, compared with 55.6% previously (P = .02). MR imaging remains a highly accurate diagnostic method for the preoperative evaluation of HCC, and detection of small (<2 cm) tumors has been significantly improved compared with that of earlier studies.

Fabrication of a hybrid PDMS/SU-8/quartz microfluidic chip for enhancing UV absorption whole-channel imaging detection sensitivity and application for isoelectric focusing of proteins

A poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS)/SU-8/quartz hybrid chip was developed and applied in the isoelectric focusing (IEF) of proteins with ultraviolet (UV) absorbance-based whole-channel imaging detection (UV-WCID). Each hybrid chip was made of three layers: a PDMS flat top substrate, a bottom quartz substrate and a middle layer of SU-8 photoresist. The SU-8 serves two purposes: it contains the microchannel used for IEF separation, and acts as an optical slit that absorbs UV light below 300 nm improving detection sensitivity in WCID. The novel hybrid design demonstrates a two to three times improvement in sensitivity over a comparable PDMS/PDMS design. In addition, the hybrid chip exhibits increased heat dissipation due to the superior thermal conductivity of the bottom quartz substrate allowing for larger electric fields to be used in separations. The hybrid design with IEF-UV-WCID was successful in resolving a complicated sample, hemoglobin control, with high fidelity.