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At least 1,153 records · Page 64Linked to original sources

Assessment of blood supply in superficial tissue by polarization-gated elastic light-scattering spectroscopy.

We report the feasibility of monitoring both hemoglobin oxygen saturation and hemoglobin concentration in the superficial layer of tissue using polarization-gated elastic light-scattering spectroscopy. We detail our analysis technique, the experimental validation of our analysis, and the detection of an early increase in blood supply to the superficial layer of colon tissue in human patients with colonic adenomas as well as in an animal model of colon carcinogenesis. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first evidence that polarization gating can be used as a spectroscopic tool to quantify hemoglobin concentration as well as oxygen saturation in the uppermost tissue layer.

Animals↗

Recognition of living fingers with a sensor based on scattered-light detection.

To prevent fraud by use of replicas of human fingers for identity verification, we propose to check variations in color and in a series of previously acquired fingerprint images. Movement of a finger on a human hand induces blood movement, and light scattered inside the finger carries this life-related information. In experiments, we found characteristic changes in color and luminance extracted from the central parts of fingerprint images. Some criteria for recognition of living tissue were tested with input provided by more than 30 participants. Inasmuch as the response of a human body to an external stimulus can be checked by our method with no additional components, this technology can raise the security level of a fingerprint identification system.

Algorithms↗

Orientation-independent differential interference contrast microscopy.

We describe a new technique for differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, which digitally generates phase gradient images independently of gradient orientation. To prove the principle we investigated specimens recorded at different orientations on a microscope equipped with a precision rotating stage and using regular DIC optics. The digitally generated images successfully displayed and measured phase gradients, independently of gradient orientation. One could also generate images showing distribution of optical path differences or enhanced, regular DIC images with any shear direction. Using special DIC prisms, one can switch the bias and shear directions rapidly without mechanically rotating the specimen or the prisms and orientation-independent DIC images are obtained in a fraction of a second.

Algorithms↗

Dark-field imaging with cylindrical-vector beams.

Dark-field illumination provides an imaging mode that rejects specular light, thereby highlighting edge features. We analyze dark-field imaging by using cylindrical vector beam illumination with a confocal microscope equipped with a microstructure fiber mode filter. A numerical model based on rigorous coupled-wave analysis has been used to analyze the method. We acquired images of separated edges features to investigate the edge separation resolution of the method. A through-focus comparison of azimuthal and radial polarization shows a measurable dependence of edge separation on polarization.

Algorithms↗

Backscattering enhancement of light by nanoparticles positioned in localized optical intensity peaks.

We report what we believe to be a novel backscattering phenomenon associated with localized optical intensity peaks (spanning as little as 43 nm) arising at the shadow-side surfaces of plane-wave-illuminated dielectric microcylinders of noncircular cross sections. Namely, for nanometer-scale dielectric particles positioned within the localized intensity peaks, their backscattering of visible light is enhanced by several orders of magnitude relative to the case of isolated nanoparticles (i.e., Rayleigh scattering). The positions of the localized intensity peaks can be quickly scanned along the microcylinder surface by changing either the incident wavelength or angle. This combination of giant backscattering enhancement of nanoparticles and ease and rapidity of scanning may present advantages relative to the use of fragile, mechanically scanned, near-field probes. Potential applications include visible-light detection, characterization, and manipulation of nanoparticles.

Light↗

Effective phase function for light scattered by blood.

The scattering process induced in blood by a collimated laser beam is theoretically investigated. An individual red blood cell (RBC) has a scattering phase function strongly peaked in the forward direction. For far-field experiments, the small scattering volumes can be considered as "macroscopic particles" characterized by an effective scattering phase function. Using the single-cell phase function as "input data" the angular distribution of light scattered at small angles by the whole scattering volume, containing RBCs in suspension, is calculated analytically. The angular dispersion of the light scattered by blood can be approximately described by the same formula used to characterize the light scattered by a single cell but with an effective, hematocrit-dependent anisotropy parameter.

Anisotropy↗

Monte Carlo-based inverse model for calculating tissue optical properties. Part I: Theory and validation on synthetic phantoms.

A flexible and fast Monte Carlo-based model of diffuse reflectance has been developed for the extraction of the absorption and scattering properties of turbid media, such as human tissues. This method is valid for a wide range of optical properties and is easily adaptable to existing probe geometries, provided a single phantom calibration measurement is made. A condensed Monte Carlo method was used to speed up the forward simulations. This model was validated by use of two sets of liquid-tissue phantoms containing Nigrosin or hemoglobin as absorbers and polystyrene spheres as scatterers. The phantoms had a wide range of absorption (0-20 cm(-1)) and reduced scattering coefficients (7-33 cm(-1)). Mie theory and a spectrophotometer were used to determine the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients of the phantoms. The diffuse reflectance spectra of the phantoms were measured over a wavelength range of 350-850 nm. It was found that optical properties could be extracted from the experimentally measured diffuse reflectance spectra with an average error of 3% or less for phantoms containing hemoglobin and 12% or less for phantoms containing Nigrosin.

Algorithms↗

Surface-relief fiber Bragg gratings for sensing applications.

We present a new type of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) in which we etch the grating into the flat surface of a D-shaped optical fiber. Instead of being written in the core of the fiber, as are standard FBGs, these surface-relief FBGs are placed in the cladding above the core. These gratings are a viable alternative to standard FBGs for sensing applications. We describe the fabrication process for etching Bragg gratings into the surface of D-fibers and demonstrate their performance as temperature sensors.

Environmental Monitoring↗

Multiple-scattering suppression in dynamic light scattering based on a digital camera detection scheme.

We introduce a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera-based detection scheme in dynamic light scattering that provides information on the single-scattered autocorrelation function even for fairly turbid samples. It is based on the single focused laser beam geometry combined with the selective cross-correlation analysis of the scattered light intensity. Using a CCD camera as a multispeckle detector, we show how spatial correlations in the intensity pattern can be linked to single- and multiple-scattering processes. Multiple-scattering suppression is then achieved by an efficient cross-correlation algorithm working in real time with a temporal resolution down to 0.02 s. Our approach allows access to the extensive range of systems that show low-order scattering by selective detection of the singly scattered light. Model experiments on slowly relaxing suspensions of titanium dioxide in glycerol were carried out to establish the validity range of our approach. Successful application of the method is demonstrated up to a scattering coefficient of more than micro(S) = 5 cm(-1) for the sample size of L = 1 cm.

Complex Mixtures↗

Two-dimensional quantitative photoacoustic image reconstruction of absorption distributions in scattering media by use of a simple iterative method.

Photoacoustic imaging is a noninvasive biomedical imaging modality for visualizing the internal structure and function of soft tissues. Conventionally, an image proportional to the absorbed optical energy is reconstructed from measurements of light-induced acoustic emissions. We describe a simple iterative algorithm to recover the distribution of optical absorption coefficients from the image of the absorbed optical energy. The algorithm, which incorporates a diffusion-based finite-element model of light transport, converges quickly onto an accurate estimate of the distribution of absolute absorption coefficients. Two-dimensional examples with physiologically realistic optical properties are shown. The ability to recover optical properties (which directly reflect tissue physiology) could enhance photoacoustic imaging techniques, particularly methods based on spectroscopic analysis of chromophores.

Acoustics↗

Optical waveguide biosensors constructed with subwavelength gratings.

The reflection resonance spectrum of a subwavelength diffraction-grating-coupled waveguide is used to analyze biomolecular interactions in real time. By detecting this resonance wavelength shift, the optical waveguide biosensor provides the ability to identify the kinetics of the biomolecular interaction on an on-line basis without the need for extrinsic labeling of the biomolecules. A theoretical analysis of the subwavelength optical waveguide biosensor is performed. A biosensor with a narrow reflection resonance spectrum, and hence an enhanced detection resolution, is then designed and fabricated. Currently, the detection limit of the optical waveguide sensor is approximately 10(-5) refractive-index units. The biosensor is successfully applied to study of the dynamic response of an antibody interaction with protein G adsorbed on the sensing surface.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Information content of point radiance measurements in turbid media: implications for interstitial optical property quantification.

Motivated by a recent report by Dickey et al. [Phys. Med. Biol. 46, 2359 (2001)], who demonstrated optical property retrieval by using relative radiance measurements at a single position, we investigate the uniqueness of relative radiance measurements for quantifying the optical properties of turbid media by studying the solutions of the diffusion and P3 approximations of the Boltzmann transfer equation for a point source. Using the P3 approximation, we investigate the potential of radiance measurements for optical property recovery by examining the optical property response surface for point radiance information. We further derive first-order similarity relations for relative point radiance measurements and use these expressions to examine analytically the effects of noise on optical property retrieval over a wide range of optical properties typical of biological tissue. Finally, optimal experimental configurations are studied and explicit conditions for uniqueness derived that suggest potential strategies for improving optical property recovery. It is expected that point radiance measurements will prove valuable for both on-line treatment planning of minimally invasive laser therapies and optical characterization of tissues.

Algorithms↗

Polar nephelometer based on a rotational confocal imaging setup.

Rapid measurement of the angular distribution of light scattered by particles, the scattering phase function, is achieved by using a new type of polar nephelometer, a device for measuring the angular scattered-light intensity distribution, with a high angular precision and across many orders of magnitude of intensity. The design offers high-speed measurements and avoids many of the problems often associated with traditional goniometers when they are used for measurements of light scattering from small particles or biological cells in suspension. Our system relies on confocal imaging of the test space with off-axis parabolas, using a rotating mirror to scan the angular field of view at the second focus of a pair of conjugated parabolic mirrors, with the test space located at the first focus. The angular resolution of the system is limited mainly by the data-acquisition sampling frequency. In this proof-of-principle demonstration the system performs multiple scans of a 55 deg field of view in a very short time (<1 s). To significantly increase the signal-to-noise ratio, we averaged the successively acquired scans during this time. Polystyrene spheres dispersed in water at low concentrations were used to test the system. The scattering patterns obtained were found to be in good agreement with Mie theory calculations.

Equipment Design↗

Analysis of slitless holographic spectrometers implemented by spherical beam volume holograms.

The analysis of a slitless volume holographic spectrometer is presented in detail. The spectrometer is based on a spherical beam volume hologram followed by a Fourier-transforming lens and a CCD. It is shown that the spectrometer is not sensitive to the incident angle of the input beam for the practical range of applications. A holographic spectrometer based on the conventional implementation is also analyzed, and the results are used to compare the performance of the proposed method with the conventional one. The experimental results are consistent with the theoretical study. It is also shown that the slitless volume holographic spectrometer lumps three elements (the entrance slit, the collimator, and the diffractive element) of the conventional spectrometer into one spherical beam volume hologram. Based on the unique features of the slitless volume holographic spectrometer, we believe it is a good candidate for portable spectroscopy for environmental and biological applications.

Algorithms↗

Static two-dimensional aperture coding for multimodal, multiplex spectroscopy.

We propose a new class of aperture-coded spectrometer that is optimized for the spectral characterization of diffuse sources. The instrument achieves high throughput and high spectral resolution by replacing the slit of conventional dispersive spectrometers with a more complicated spatial filter. We develop a general mathematical framework for deriving the required aperture codes and discuss several appealing code families. Experimental results validate the performance of the instrument.

Computer-Aided Design↗

Surface plasmon resonance sensor based on polarization interferometry and angle modulation.

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing technique based on polarization interferometry and angle modulation is presented. Its sensitivity is not a direct function of variation of reflection intensity, nor of phase shift. Rather, it is a function of the complex reflection coefficient. A three times standard deviation detection limit of 5.1 x 10(-7) refractive index units in a 2 Hz bandwidth is obtained with our experimental setup. A theoretical analysis shows that this technique can provide a wide linear measurement range. Moreover, the sensitivity is insensitive to the thickness of gold films over approximately 5 nm. This SPR sensing technique is suitable for physical, chemical, and biological research.

Computer-Aided Design↗

Three-wavelength electronic speckle pattern interferometry with the Fourier-transform method for simultaneous measurement of microstructure-scale deformations in three dimensions.

We present the simultaneous measurement of three-dimensional deformations by electronic speckle pattern interferometry using five object beams and three colors. Each color, corresponding to an orthogonal direction of displacement, is separated through dichroic filtering before being recorded by a separate CCD camera. Carrier fringes are introduced by tilting the beam path in one arm of each of the three interferometers. The measured deformation modulates these carrier fringes and is extracted using the Fourier-transform method to achieve high displacement sensitivity. The field of view is on the order of a millimeter, making the system suitable for study of microstructural deformations. We compare experimental results with calculated values to validate out-of-plane and in-plane deformation measurements and demonstrate sensitivity on the order of 10 nm.

Algorithms↗

Recognition and classification of three-dimensional phase objects by digital Fresnel holography.

We demonstrate the validity of wavelet-based processing for recognition and classification of three-dimensional phase objects. One Fresnel digital hologram of each of the three-dimensional (3-D) phase objects to be classified is recorded. The electronic holograms are processed digitally to permit 3-D object information to be retrieved as two-dimensional digital complex images. We use a Mexican-hat wavelet- matched filter (WMF) to enhance the correlation peak and discriminate between the objects. The WMF performs a wavelet transform (WT) to enhance the significant features of the images and the correlation of the WT coefficients thus obtained. We compare the feasibility of a WMF-based object classifier with the matched-filter-based classifier to classify our four 3-D phase objects in a 3-D scene into true or false classes with minimal error.

Algorithms↗