Scattering Anisotropy Factor Research Articles

Telecentric suppression of diffuse light in imaging of highly anisotropic scattering media.

The telecentric lens, which was originally used in the machine vision industry, has often been utilized in biomedical imaging systems due to its commonly known properties, such as large transverse field of view, constant magnification, and long working distance. However, its potential advantages in optical imaging of biological tissue, which is highly diffusive, have not been fully explored. We revisit the idea that a telecentric lens system can bring an alternative yet simple method for reducing unwanted scattering or diffuse light in biological tissue, owing to its highly anisotropic scattering properties. Using biological tissue and tissue phantoms, we demonstrate advantages attributed to the use of telecentric lens in tissue imaging compared with imaging using conventional nontelecentric optics. Directional or angular gating (or filtering) using a telecentric lens is beneficial for removing a portion of diffuse light in highly anisotropic scattering media with high values of the scattering anisotropy factor. We envision that a telecentric lens could be potentially incorporated into an instrument of modest design and cost, increasing rapid practical adoption.

Simultaneous Measurement of Multiple Scattering Coefficient and Scattering Anisotropy Factor in Dental Demineralization

Simultaneous Measurement of Multiple Scattering Coefficient and Scattering Anisotropy Factor in Dental Demineralization

Visible and near-infrared bulk optical properties of raw milk

The implementation of optical sensor technology to monitor the milk quality on dairy farms and milk processing plants would support the early detection of altering production processes. Basic visible and near-infrared spectroscopy is already widely used to measure the composition of agricultural and food products. However, to obtain maximal performance, the design of such optical sensors should be optimized with regard to the optical properties of the samples to be measured. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the visible and near-infrared bulk absorption coefficient, bulk scattering coefficient, and scattering anisotropy spectra for a diverse set of raw milk samples originating from individual cow milkings, representing the milk variability present on dairy farms. Accordingly, this database of bulk optical properties can be used in future simulation studies to efficiently optimize and validate the design of an optical milk quality sensor. In a next step of the current study, the relation between the obtained bulk optical properties and milk quality properties was analyzed in detail. The bulk absorption coefficient spectra were found to mainly contain information on the water, fat, and casein content, whereas the bulk scattering coefficient spectra were found to be primarily influenced by the quantity and the size of the fat globules. Moreover, a strong positive correlation (r≥0.975) was found between the fat content in raw milk and the measured bulk scattering coefficients in the 1,300 to 1,400nm wavelength range. Relative to the bulk scattering coefficient, the variability on the scattering anisotropy factor was found to be limited. This is because the milk scattering anisotropy is nearly independent of the fat globule and casein micelle quantity, while it is mainly determined by the size of the fat globules. As this study shows high correlations between the sample’s bulk optical properties and the milk composition and fat globule size, a sensor that allows for robust separation between the absorption and scattering properties would enable accurate prediction of the raw milk quality parameters.

Laser-ablated silicon nanoparticles: optical properties and perspectives in optical coherence tomography

Due to their biocompatibility silicon nanoparticles have high potential in biomedical applications, especially in optical diagnostics. In this paper we analyze properties of the silicon nanoparticles formed via laser ablation in water and study the possibility of their application as contrasting agents in optical coherence tomography (OCT). The nanoparticles suspension was produced by picosecond laser irradiation of monocrystalline silicon wafers in water. According to transmission electron microcopy analysis the silicon nanoparticles in the obtained suspension vary in size from 2 to 200 nm while concentration of the particles is estimated as 1013cm−3. The optical properties of the suspension in the range from 400 to 1000 nm were studied by spectrophotometry measurements revealing a scattering coefficient of about 0.1 mm−1 and a scattering anisotropy factor in the range of 0.2–0.4. In OCT study a system with a central wavelength of 910 nm was employed. Potential of the silicon nanoparticles as a contrasting agent for OCT is studied in experiments with agarose gel phantoms. Topical application of the nanoparticles suspension allowed the obtaining of the contrast of structural features of phantom up to 14 dB in the OCT image.

Calculation of the Optical Properties of Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate–Cobalt Nanoparticle Composites

Coefficients of transmission, absorption, and reflectance of a composite based on pentaerythritol tetranitrate and spherical cobalt nanoparticles were calculated as functions of sample thickness and mass fraction of metal particles using Mie theory and radiative transfer theory (spherical harmonics method). It was shown that the coefficient of reflectance of light normally incident on the half-space with the plane boundary increased as the Co-particle radius increased. This was because of increases of both the single-scattering albedo and the modulus of the scattering anisotropy factor. The developed method for calculating optical properties of composites based on a transparent matrix with metal nanoparticle inclusions could be used to process experimental light-scattering spectroscopy data.

Effect of ultrasonic homogenization on the Vis/NIR bulk optical properties of milk

The size of colloidal particles in food products has a considerable impact on the product's physicochemical, functional and sensory characteristics. Measurement techniques to monitor the size of suspended particles could, therefore, help to further reduce the variability in production processes and promote the development of new food products with improved properties. Visible and near-infrared (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy is already widely used to measure the composition of agricultural and food products. However, this technology can also be consulted to acquire microstructure-related scattering properties of food products. In this study, the effect of the fat globule size on the Vis/NIR bulk scattering properties of milk was investigated. Variability in fat globule size distribution was created using ultrasonic homogenization of raw milk. Reduction of the fat globule size resulted in a higher wavelength-dependency of both the Vis/NIR bulk scattering coefficient and the scattering anisotropy factor. Moreover, the anisotropy factor and the bulk scattering coefficients for wavelengths above 600nm were reduced and were dominated by Rayleigh scattering. Additionally, the bulk scattering properties could be well (R2≥0.990) estimated from measured particle size distributions by consulting an algorithm based on the Mie solution. Future research could aim at the inversion of this model to estimate the particle size distributions from Vis/NIR spectroscopic measurements.

Optical properties of human colon tissues in the spectral range

We present the optical characteristics of the mucosa and submucosa of human colon tissue. The experiments are performed in vitro using a LAMBDA 950 spectrophotometer in the spectral range. The absorption and scattering coefficients and the scattering anisotropy factor are calculated based on the measured diffuse reflectance and total and collimated transmittance spectra using the inverse Monte Carlo method.

Noninvasive Fast Analysis of Hemoglobin Levels in Blood Using a Fiber Optic Spectrophotometer

We have developed a method for online monitoring of blood levels of oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, and sulfhemoglobin using the diffuse re? ectance spectrum of the mucosa of the lip or tongue of the patient, measured at a distance from the area to which the exciting radiation is delivered. The method is based on simple analytical expressions approximating the dependence of the diffuse light signals on the absorption coefo cient, the transport scattering coefo cient, the scattering anisotropy factor, and the refractive index of the mucosa. We have estimated the uncertainties in the method when there is a priori uncertainty in the optical parameters of the tissue. We have analyzed the experimental diffuse re? ectance spectra of the mucosa of the lip, demonstrating that the hemoglobin composition of the studied tissue corresponds to normal physiological data.

Estimation of scattering phase function utilizing laser Doppler power density spectra

A new method for the estimation of the light scattering phase function of particles is presented. The method allows us to measure the light scattering phase function of particles of any shape in the full angular range (0°–180°) and is based on the analysis of laser Doppler (LD) power density spectra. The theoretical background of the method and results of its validation using data from Monte Carlo simulations will be presented. For the estimation of the scattering phase function, a phantom measurement setup is proposed containing a LD measurement system and a simple model in which a liquid sample flows through a glass tube fixed in an optically turbid material. The scattering phase function estimation error was thoroughly investigated in relation to the light scattering anisotropy factor g. The error of g estimation is lower than 10% for anisotropy factors larger than 0.5 and decreases with increase of the anisotropy factor (e.g. for g = 0.98, the error of estimation is 0.01%). The analysis of influence of the noise in the measured LD spectrum showed that the g estimation error is lower than 1% for signal to noise ratio higher than 50 dB.

Online determination of biophysical parameters of mucous membranes of a human body

We have developed a method for online determination of biophysical parameters of mucous membranes (MMs) of a human body (transport scattering coefficient, scattering anisotropy factor, haemoglobin concentration, degrees of blood oxygenation, average diameter of capillaries with blood) from measurements of spectral and spatial characteristics of diffuse reflection. The method is based on regression relationships between linearly independent components of the measured light signals and the unknown parameters of MMs, obtained by simulation of the radiation transfer in the MM under conditions of its general variability. We have proposed and justified the calibration-free fibre-optic method for determining the concentration of haemoglobin in MMs by measuring the light signals diffusely reflected by the tissue in four spectral regions at two different distances from the illumination spot. We have selected the optimal wavelengths of optical probing for the implementation of the method.

Scattering and absorption properties of biomaterials for dental restorative applications

The physical understanding of the optical properties of dental biomaterials is mandatory for their final success in restorative applications. Light propagation in biological media is characterized by the absorption coefficient, the scattering coefficient, the scattering phase function, the refractive index, and the surface conditions (roughness). We have employed the inverse adding-doubling (IAD) method to combine transmittance and reflectance measurements performed using an integrating-sphere setup with the results of the previous scattering-anisotropy goniometric measurements. This has led to the determination of the absorption and the scattering coefficients. The aim was to optically characterize two different dental-resin composites (nanocomposite and hybrid) and one type of zirconia ceramic, and comparatively study them. The experimental procedure was conducted under repeatability conditions of measurement in order to determine the uncertainty associated to the optical properties of the biomaterials. Spectral variations of the refraction index and the scattering anisotropy factor were also considered. The whole experimental procedure fulfilled all the necessary requirements to provide optical-property values with lower associated uncertainties. The effective transport coefficient presented a similar spectral behavior for the two composites but completely different for the zirconia ceramic. The results demonstrated that the scattering anisotropy exerted a clearly distinct impact on the optical properties of the zirconia ceramic compared with those of the dental-resin composites.

Scattering anisotropy measurements in dental tissues and biomaterials

Understanding the behaviour of light propagation in biological materials is essential for biomedical engineering and applications, and even more so when dealing with incoming biomaterials. Many methods for determining optical parameters from biological media assume that scattered light is isotropically distributed over all angles. However, an angular dependence of light scattering may exist and affect the optical behaviour of biological media. The present work seeks to experimentally analyze the scattering anisotropy in different dental tissues (enamel and dentine) and their potential substitute biomaterials (hybrid dental-resin, nano-filled composite, and zirconia ceramic) and comparatively study them. Goniometric measurements were made for four wavelengths in the visible range, allowing a spectral characterization of the materials studied. Previously, for each material, measurements were made with two different sample thicknesses at the same wavelength, checking the behaviour of the angular scattering profile. The asymmetry of experimental phase functions was considered in the recovery of the scattering anisotropy factor. The results demonstrate that the thicker sample yielded a less forward-directed scattering profile than did the thinner sample. The biomaterials analysed show angular scattering comparable to those of the tissues that they may replace. Comparisons can be made by virtue of the low uncertainties found.

Optical absorption and scattering spectra of pathological stomach tissues

Diffuse reflection spectra of biotissues in vivo and transmission and reflection coefficients for biotissues in vitro are measured over 300–800 nm. These data are used to determine the spectral absorption and scattering indices and the scattering anisotropy factor for stomach mucous membranes under normal and various pathological conditions (chronic atrophic and ulcerous defects, malignant neoplasms). The most importan tphysiological (hemodynamic and oxygenation levels) and structural-morphological (scatterer size and density) parameters are also determined. The results of a morphofunctional study correlate well with the optical properties and are consistent with data from a histomorphological analysis of the corresponding tissues.

In Vitro Assessment of Optical Properties of Blood by Applying the Extended Huygens-Fresnel Principle to Time-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Signal at 1300 nm

A direct method for the measurement of the optical attenuation coefficient and the scattering anisotropy parameter based on applying the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle to optical coherence tomography images of blood is demonstrated. The images are acquired with a low-power probing beam at the wavelength of 1300 nm. Values of 12.15 mm−1 and 0.95 are found for the total attenuation coefficient and the scattering anisotropy factor, respectively. Also, as a preliminary step, the optical refraction index is determined with a precision of two decimal numbers directly from optical coherence images. The total attenuation coefficient and the scattering anisotropy factor are determined with precisions within experimental error margins of 5% and 2%, respectively. Readable OCT signal is obtained for a maximum propagation of light into blood of 0.25 mm. At the maximum probed depth, the measured signal is almost 103 smaller than its initial intensity when entering the sample.

Monte Carlo study on the imaging performance of powder phosphor screens under x‐ray excitation: Comparison with screens

Lu2SiO5: Ce (LSO) scintillator is a relatively new luminescent material which has been successfully applied in positron emission tomography systems. Since it has been recently commercially available in powder form, it could be of value to investigate its performance for use in x-ray projection imaging as both physical and scintillating properties indicate a promising material for such applications. In the present study, a custom and validated Monte Carlo simulation code was used in order to examine the performance of LSO, under diagnostic radiology (mammography and general radiography) conditions. The Monte Carlo code was based on a model using Mie scattering theory for the description of light attenuation. Imaging characteristics, related to image brightness, spatial resolution and noise of LSO screens were predicted using only physical parameters of the phosphor. The overall performance of LSO powder phosphor screens was investigated in terms of the: (i) quantum detection efficiency (ii) emitted K-characteristic radiation (iii) luminescence efficiency (iv) modulation transfer function (v) Swank factor and (vi) zero-frequency detective quantum efficiency [DQE(0)]. Results were compared to the traditional rare-earth Gd2O2S:Tb (GOS) phosphor material. The relative luminescence efficiency of LSO phosphor was found inferior to that of GOS. This is due to the lower intrinsic conversion efficiency of LSO (0.08 instead of 0.15 of GOS) and the relatively high light extinction coefficient mext of this phosphor (0.239 mircom(-1) instead of 0.218 /microm(-1) for GOS). However, the property of increased light extinction combined with the rather sharp angular distribution of scattered light photons (anisotropy factor g=0.624 for LSO instead of 0.494 for GOS) reduce lateral light spreading and improve spatial resolution. In addition, LSO screens were found to exhibit better x-ray absorption as well as higher signal to noise transfer properties in the energy range from 18 keV up to 50.2 keV (e.g. DQE(0)=0.62 at 18 keV and for 34 mg/cm2, instead of 0.58 for GOS). The results indicate that certain optical properties of LSO (optical extinction coefficient, scattering anisotropy factor) combined with the relatively high x-ray coefficients, make this material a promising phosphor which, under appropriate conditions, could be considered for use in x-ray projection imaging detectors.

Light extraction from OLEDs for lighting applications through light scattering

Abstract OLEDs are gaining increasing interest for lighting applications as large-area light sources. Their lifetime and overall efficiency can be increased by the optimization of light outcoupling. In this article, scattering films on the viewer’s side of the substrate to increase the outcoupling efficiency of OLEDs for lighting applications are examined. Experimental results show that the increase of outcoupling efficiency is dependent from the absolute number of scattering particles in the matrix. Theoretical considerations expect an increase of outcoupling efficiency of up to 70%. Experimental results yield an increase of outcoupling efficiency of about 22%. A software model based on raytracing to simulate light outcoupling from OLEDs through a scattering layer is introduced to gain a deeper understanding of the light extraction mechanism. We found that the scattering anisotropy factor g determined using the Henyey–Greenstein phase function and the effective absorbance of the OLED device have strong impact on outcoupling efficiency.

On the fundamental imaging-depth limit in two-photon microscopy

We have analyzed how the maximal imaging depth of two-photon microscopy in scattering samples depends on properties of the sample and the imaging system. We find that the imaging depth increases with increasing numerical aperture and staining inhomogeneity and with decreasing excitation-pulse duration and scattering anisotropy factor, but is ultimately limited by near-surface fluorescence with slight improvements possible using special detection strategies.

Design, fabrication, and characterization of a tissue-equivalent phantom for optical elastography

We suitably adapt the design of a tissue-equivalent phantom used for photoacoustic imaging to construct phantoms for optical elastography. The elastography phantom we consider should have optical properties such as scattering coefficient, scattering anisotropy factor, and refractive index; mechanical properties such as storage and loss modulus; and acoustic properties such as ultrasound velocity, attenuation coefficient, and acoustic impedance to match healthy and diseased tissues. The phantom is made of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and its mechanical, optical, and acoustic properties are tailored by physical cross-linking effected through subjecting a suitable mix of PVA stock and water to a number of freeze-thaw cycles and by varying the degree of hydrolysis in the PVA stock. The optical, mechanical, and acoustic properties of the samples prepared are measured by employing different techniques. The measured variations in the values of optical scattering coefficient, scattering anisotropy factor, and refractive index and storage modulus are found to be comparable to those in normal and diseased breast tissues. The acoustic properties such as sound speed, acoustic attenuation coefficient, and density are found to be close to the average values reported in the literature for normal breast tissue.

Changes in tissue optical properties due to radio-frequency ablation of myocardium.

The optical properties of pig heart tissue were measured after in vivo ablation therapy had been performed during open-heart surgery. In vitro samples of normal and ablated tissue were subjected to measurements with an optically integrating sphere set-up in the region 470-900 nm. Three independent measurements were made: total transmittance, total reflectance and collimated transmittance, which made it possible to extract the absorption and scattering coefficients and the scattering anisotropy factor g, using an inverse Monte Carlo model. Between 470 and 700 nm, only the reduced scattering coefficient and absorption could be evaluated. The absorption spectra were fitted to known tissue chromophore spectra, so that the concentrations of haemoglobin and myoglobin could be estimated. The reduced scattering coefficient was compared with Mie computations to provide Mie equivalent average radii. Most of the absorption was from myoglobin, whereas haemoglobin absorption was negligible. Metmyoglobin was formed in the ablated tissue, which could yield a spectral signature to distinguish the ablated tissue with a simple optical probe to monitor the ablation therapy. The reduced scattering coefficient increased by, on average, 50% in the ablated tissue, which corresponded to a slight decrease in the Mie equivalent radius.

The effect of preparation technique on the optical parameters of biological tissue

The absorption coefficient μa, the scattering coefficient μs, and the scattering anisotropy factor g of porcine liver were studied in vitro using the integrating sphere technique and inverse Monte Carlo simulation in the wavelength range 450 to 700 nm. A reference preparation technique was developed using a dermatome providing specimens of 200 to 800 μm thickness without pre-freezing the tissue. The optical parameters as measured applying the reference preparation were compared to those measured after cryo-homogenisation. We found significant deviations of the scattering coefficient and the anisotropy factor which were compensated when the reduced scattering coefficient μs ′ was calculated. We also compared the effects of freezing reference specimens at -20 °C and at 77 K without homogenisation. For both freezing protocols noticeable deviations were found in all three optical parameters as well as in μs ′. The impact of tissue storage at 4 °C was measured in the range 4 to 48 h post mortem and showed a clear reduction of μa and a significant increase of μs even after 24 h of storage. Short-time storage of the specimens in saline solution reduced all three optical parameters significantly. In conclusion, the tissue preparation must be controlled in order to provide in vitro optical parameters that sufficiently mimic the in vivo situation.