1.
Andersson-Engels, Stefan, et al.
(author)
In vivo fluorescence imaging for tissue diagnostics
1997
In: Physics in Medicine and Biology. - : IOP Publishing. - 1361-6560 .- 0031-9155. ; 42:5, s. 815-824
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Non-invasive fluorescence imaging has the potential to provide in vivo diagnostic information for many clinical specialities. Techniques have been developed over the years for simple ocular observations following UV excitation to sophisticated spectroscopic imaging using advanced equipment. Much of the impetus for research on fluorescence imaging for tissue diagnostics has come from parallel developments in photodynamic therapy of malignant lesions with fluorescent photosensitizers. However, the fluorescence of endogenous molecules (tissue autofluorescence) also plays an important role in most applications. In this paper, the possibilities of imaging tissues using fluorescence spectroscopy as a mean of tissue characterization are discussed. The various imaging techniques for extracting diagnostic information suggested in the literature are reviewed. The development of exogenous fluorophores for this purpose is also presented. Finally, the present status of clinical evaluation and future directions are discussed.
2.
Jarlman, O, et al.
(author)
Laser transillumination of breast tissue phantoms using time-resolved techniques
1996
In: European Radiology. - 0938-7994. ; 6:3, s. 387-392
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate a pulsed laser transillumination technique based on time-resolved detection on breast-tissue-like phantoms. Experiments have been performed on tissue-like plastic phantoms with different scattering characteristics. The effects of time-gate width, size, localisation and refractive index of hidden objects have been scrutinised. Our study showed that the shorter the time-gate the higher the contrast. The contrast is very dependent of the size of the hole, whereas the full width half maximum is not. Furthermore, the investigation showed that the changes of early detected light in an experimental setting is due to scattering, adn not to a higher speed of the transmitted light.
3.
Jarlman, O, et al.
(author)
Time-resolved white light transillumination for optical imaging
1997
In: Acta Radiologica. - : SAGE Publications. - 1600-0455 .- 0284-1851. ; 38:1, s. 185-189
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Purpose: To describe a new breast-imaging method with the potential of multi-spectral optical transillumination based on a time-resolved technique. Material and Methods: A breast phantom was irradiated with ultra-short laser pulses of white light generated by self-phase modulation of an incident high-power laser pulse in water. Time-resolved detection of the transmitted light was performed. Contrast resolution was studied using different absorbers located inside the breast phantom. Results and Conclusion: The results showed that simultaneous, multi-spectral transillumination is possible. The technique can also be used for measurements of optical properties in tissue.
4.
Sturesson, C, et al.
(author)
A mathematical model for predicting the temperature distribution in laser-induced hyperthermia. Experimental evaluation and applications
1995
In: Physics in Medicine and Biology. - : IOP Publishing. - 1361-6560 .- 0031-9155. ; 40:12, s. 2037-2052
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
A time-dependent mathematical model for the heat transfer in laser-induced hyperthermia has been developed. The model calculates the temperature distribution in surface-irradiated tissues. Good agreement was found between the predictions of the model and in vitro experimental results obtained for bovine liver irradiated with an expanded beam from a Nd:YAG laser. Surface evaporation of water was included in the model and experimentally verified. The discrepancy between the measured and the calculated rise in temperature at three different depths on the axis of symmetry of the irradiating beam was found to be less than 5% after 15 min of irradiation. When irradiating in air and not accounting for the surface evaporation in the model, the accuracy of the model predictions was only 75-80%. The model was then used to investigate the influence of surface evaporation of water on the total temperature distribution theoretically in a clinically relevant case. From the numerical simulations, it was shown that, simply by providing a moistened liver surface, the maximum steady-state temperature could be forced into the tissue to a depth of 4 mm. It was also shown that, by employing the numerical model during the initial phase of hyperthermia treatment, overshooting of the temperature during the transient thermal build-up time could be prevented.
5.
Sturesson, C, et al.
(author)
Theoretical analysis of transurethral laser-induced thermo-therapy for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Evaluation of a water-cooled applicator
1996
In: Physics in Medicine and Biology. - : IOP Publishing. - 1361-6560 .- 0031-9155. ; 41:3, s. 445-463
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
A mathematical model for predicting the temperature rise in transurethral laser-induced thermo-therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia was developed. In the model an optical line source emitting light from an Nd:YAG laser isotropically was placed in the urethra. Water cooling of the urethral epithelium was modelled using a two-tube system. The relationship between the difference in outlet and inlet water temperatures and the highest tissue temperature level reached was theoretically investigated. It was found that the water temperature difference was linearly dependent on the steady-state maximum tissue temperature. The theoretical calculations suggest that the water-cooled applicator can be used to measure the maximum tissue temperature. With temperature control, the prostatic tissue temperature can be prevented from exceeding the boiling point of water, excluding tissue carbonization. The model was also used to evaluate the influence of a number of different parameters on the damaged tissue volume. Increasing the urethral lumen radius by a factor of two by means of inserting different sized tubes was found to augment the tissue volume raised to therapeutic temperatures by up to 50%. The calculations showed that cooling of the urethral epithelium can result in an increase in the damaged volume by 80% as compared to not applying any cooling. The temperature of the cooling water was found to influence the tissue temperature only to a small extent.
6.
Svanberg, Katarina, et al.
(author)
Clinical multi-colour fluorescence imaging of malignant tumours - Initial experience
1998
In: Acta Radiologica. - : SAGE Publications. - 1600-0455 .- 0284-1851. ; 39:1, s. 2-9
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Purpose: The detection of malignant tumours relies on a variety of diagnostic procedures including X-ray images and, for hollow organs, endoscopy. The purpose of this study was to present a new technique for non-invasive tumour detection based on tissue fluorescence imaging. Material and Methods: A clinically adapted multi-colour fluorescence system was employed in the real-time imaging of malignant rumours of the skin, breast, head and neck region, and urinary bladder. Tumour detection was based on the contrast displayed in fluorescence between normal and malignant tissue, related to the selective uptake of tumour-marking agents, such as haematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) and Famine levulinic acid (ALA), and natural chromophore differences between various tissues. In order to demarcate basal cell carcinomas of the skin, ALA was applied topically 4-6 h before the fluorescence investigation. For urinary bladder tumour visualisation (transitional cell carcinoma of different stages including carcinoma in situ), ALA was instilled into the bladder 1-2 h prior to the study. Malignant and premalignant lesions in the head and neck region were imaged after i.v. injection of HPD (Photofrin). Finally, the extent of in situ and invasive carcinomas of the breast was investigated in surgically excised specimens from patients that received a low-dose injection of HPD 24 h prior to the study. The tumour imaging system was coupled to an endoscope. Fluorescence light emission from the tissue surface was induced with 100-ns-long optical pulses at 390 nm, generated from a frequency-doubled alexandrite laser. With the use of special image-splitting optics, the tumour fluorescence, intensified in a micro-channel plate, was imaged in 3 selected wavelength bands. These 3 images were processed together to form a new optimised-contrast image of the tumour. This image, updated at a rate of about 3 frames/s, was mixed with a normal colour video image of the tissue. Results: A clear demarcation from normal surrounding tissue was found during in vivo measurements of superficial bladder carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma of the skin, and leukoplakia with dysplasia of the lip, and in in vitro investigations of resected breast cancer. Conclusions: The initial clinical experience of using multi-colour fluorescence imaging has shown that the technique has the potential to reveal malignant tumour tissue, including non-invasive early carcinoma and also precancerous tissue. Further investigations are needed to fully develop the method.
