Biomedical subjects

S Spilman

Publications and source records attributed to S Spilman.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1996

Imaging brain injury using time-resolved near infrared light scanning.

Conventional brain imaging modalities are limited in that they image only secondary physical manifestations of brain injury, which may occur well after the actual insult to the brain and represent irreversible structural changes. A real-time continuous bedside monitor that images functional changes in cerebral blood flow or oxygenation might allow for recognition of brain tissue ischemia or hypoxia before the development of irreversible injury. Visible and near infrared light pass through human bone and tissue in small amounts, and the emerging light can be used to form images of the interior structure of the tissue and measure tissue blood flow and oxygen utilization based on light absorbance and scattering. We developed a portable time-of-flight and absorbance system which emits pulses of near infrared light into tissue and measures the transit time of photons through the tissue. Images can then be reconstructed mathematically using either absorbance or scattering information. Pathologic brain specimens from adult sheep and human newborns were studied with this device using rotational optical tomography. Images generated from these optical scans show that neonatal brain injuries such as subependymal and intraventricular hemorrhages can be successfully identified and localized. Resolution of this system appears to be better than 1 cm at a tissue depth of 5 cm, which should be sufficient for imaging some brain lesions as well as for detection of regional changes in cerebral blood flow and oxygenation. We conclude that light-based imaging of cerebral structure and function is feasible and may permit identification of patients with impending brain injury as well as monitoring of the efficacy of intervention. Construction of real-time images of brain structure and function is now underway using a fiber optic headband and nonmechanical rotational scanner allowing comfortable, unintrusive monitoring over extended periods of time.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Tomographic time-of-flight optical imaging device.

Time-resolved optical imaging has been used to image phantoms, animals, and humans, and offers the potential for the production of functional images of human tissues, such as the oxygenation of brain during stroke. We had previously reported a transmission scanner, and now give an early report on conversion to a rotational tomographic scanner with a non-parallel ray geometry similar to early CAT scanners. Initial scans show that 1) spatial imaging in turbid media using time-of-flight measurements, non-recursive algorithms, and standard tomographic geometry is possible, 2) separation of absorbance and scattering as an image is attainable, a key step in performing spatially-resolved chemometric analysis, 3) imaging of multiple objects buried within scattering material is feasible, demonstrating that equations derived for homogeneous media can be applied in at least some cases to inhomogeneous media such as tissue-like phantoms, and 4) imaging of brain pathology produces recognizable images with sufficient resolution for diagnostic decisions. We conclude that optical tomography is feasible for clinical use and that conversion of the present mechanically scanning device to a clinical scanner should be possible with retention of the current processing algorithms. Such a clinical scanner should ultimately be able to generate images in a few minutes with centimeter resolution at the center of living human brain.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1994

Non-recursive linear algorithms for optical imaging in diffusive media.

Optical imaging has been used to image phantoms, animals, and humans. It offers the potential for the production of functional images of tissues, such as oxygenation of brain during stroke. Fast algorithms are needed to allow diagnostically useful images to be generated under realistic conditions, including the likelihood that transmission geometries will not be possible. We proposed a linear algorithm, while less than ideal, may allow rapid reconstruction of images and avoid the pitfalls of recursive, nonlinear solutions. Such techniques may also facilitate the use of varied but physiologic imaging geometries. We found that linear backprojection tomography is feasible for clinical use. Conversion of the present mechanically scanning device to a clinical scanner should be possible with retention of the current processing algorithms. Such a clinical scanner should ultimately be able to generate images in less than one minute with centimeter resolution at the center of living human brain.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1984

Cell surface modifications in the epithelium of rat ventral prostate during adaptation to in vitro conditions: an ultrastructural study.

Sequential changes in epithelial cells of collagenase-dissociated rat ventral prostate were studied by thin-section and freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Epithelial cells did not attach to the substrate for 48 h. Pelleted cells obtained 1, 24, and 48 h after dissociation were assigned to three categories depending on morphology and cellular associations. (a) Solitary epithelial cells degenerated as determined by extensive vacuolization in the cytoplasm and aggregation of intramembranous particles (IMP). (b) Epithelial clusters consisted of a homogeneous population of well-maintained, closely packed cells. Aggregation of IMP was minimal. Tight junctions that formed between cells at the periphery of the clusters appeared normal and provided an effective permeability barrier demonstrated by the exclusion of ruthenium red tracer. (c) Tissue fragments were comprised of varying combinations of epithelial, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells as well as fibroblasts and erythrocytes. Maintenance of tissue fragments was variable. Plasma membranes often displayed aggregated IMP and proliferated tight junctional strands. An effective permeability barrier was absent. After the 48 h "latent period," epithelial cells in the clusters lost interdependence, disassociated from one another, and attached to the substrate. These isolated cells, which did not display aggregated IMP, retained the ability to form an effective permeability barrier upon reaching confluency. During the first 48 h, epithelial cells did not tolerate solitary existence, yet as participants in clusters they were well maintained. After this interval, they no longer required interactions with neighbors in order to survive. These results indicate that under our experimental conditions, an adaptation period is required by prostatic epithelial cells. The enhanced quality of maintenance associated with epithelial clusters suggests that control over the internal microenvironment, provided by a tight junctional barrier, may be important during the initial period of adaptation in vitro.

Adaptation, Physiological↗