Fluorescence-enhanced optical tomography and nuclear imaging system for small animals
2012
Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence is an alternative modality for molecular imaging that has been demonstrated in animals
and recently in humans. Fluorescence-enhanced optical tomography (FEOT) using continuous wave or frequency
domain photon migration techniques could be used to provide quantitative molecular imaging in vivo if it could be
validated against "gold-standard," nuclear imaging modalities, using dual-labeled imaging agents. Unfortunately,
developed FEOT systems are not suitable for incorporation with CT/PET/SPECT scanners because they utilize benchtop
devices and require a large footprint. In this work, we developed a miniaturized fluorescence imaging system installed in
the gantry of the Siemens Inveon PET/CT scanner to enable NIR transillumination measurements. The system consists
of a CCD camera equipped with NIR sensitive intensifier, a diode laser controlled by a single board compact controller,
a 2-axis galvanometer, and RF circuit modules for homodyne detection of the phase and amplitude of fluorescence
signals. The performance of the FEOT system was tested and characterized. A mouse-shaped solid phantom of uniform
optical properties with a fluorescent inclusion was scanned using CT, and NIR fluorescence images at several
projections were collected. The method of high-order approximation to the radioactive transfer equation was then used to
reconstruct the optical images. Dual-labeled agents were also used on a tumor bearing mouse to validate the results of
the FEOT against PET/CT image. The results showed that the location of the fluorophore obtained from the FEOT
matches the location of tumor obtained from the PET/CT images. Besides validation of FEOT, this hybrid system could
allow multimodal molecular imaging (FEOT/PET/CT) for small animal imaging.
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