1
|
Kim H, Cho S, Park E, Park S, Oh D, Lee KJ, Kim C. Nonlinear beamforming for intracardiac echocardiography: a comparative study. Biomed Eng Lett 2024; 14:571-582. [PMID: 38645597 PMCID: PMC11026316 DOI: 10.1007/s13534-024-00352-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) enables cardiac imaging with a wide field of view, deep imaging depth, and high frame rate during surgery. However, strong sidelobe and grating lobe artifacts created by the ultra-compact transducer degrade its image quality, making diagnosis and monitoring of treatment difficult. Conventionally, aperture apodization algorithms are often used to suppress sidelobe and grating lobe artifacts at the expense of lateral resolution, which is undesirable in ICE. In this study, we present comparative results of the beamforming methods specifically in ICE application. We demonstrate and compare five nonlinear beamforming algorithms in ICE: nonlinear pth root delay and sum (NL-p-DAS), nonlinear pth root spectral magnitude scaling (NL-p-SMS), delay-and-sum with coherence factors (DAS + SCF), delay and sum with apodization (DAS + apodization) and delay and sum (DAS). Phantom and ex-vivo experiment compare the performance of each algorithm in static and dynamic conditions. DAS + SCF shows the best lateral resolution, and all four algorithms improve the image contrast and sidelobe suppression over conventional DAS. NL-p-SMS stands out for the best axial resolution and suppression of grating lobe artifacts. For motion tracking, NL-p-SMS shows better temporal resolution than other methods. Overall, all the beamforming algorithms other than DAS showed improved image quality. Among them, NL-p-SMS, which has a high temporal resolution, showed the potential for providing more accurate information regards movement tracking. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13534-024-00352-9.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyunhee Kim
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Convergence IT Engineering, Device Innovation Center, and Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673 South Korea
| | - Seonghee Cho
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673 South Korea
| | - Eunwoo Park
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Convergence IT Engineering, Device Innovation Center, and Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673 South Korea
| | - Sinyoung Park
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673 South Korea
| | - Donghyeon Oh
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Convergence IT Engineering, Device Innovation Center, and Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673 South Korea
| | - Ki Jong Lee
- Medical Device Innovation Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673 South Korea
| | - Chulhong Kim
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Convergence IT Engineering, Device Innovation Center, and Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673 South Korea
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673 South Korea
- Medical Device Innovation Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673 South Korea
- Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673 South Korea
- Medical Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673 South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mao Q, Zhao W, Qian X, Tao C, Liu X. Improving photoacoustic imaging in low signal-to-noise ratio by using spatial and polarity coherence. PHOTOACOUSTICS 2022; 28:100427. [PMID: 36466730 PMCID: PMC9709228 DOI: 10.1016/j.pacs.2022.100427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
To suppress the noise and sidelobe of photoacoustic images, a method is proposed combined with spatial coherence and polarity coherence. In this method, PA signals are delayed, multiplied, then performed polarity coherence, and finally summed. The polarity of delayed-and-multiplied signals rather than the amplitude is considered in polarity coherence operation. The polarity coherence factor is calculated based on the standard deviation of the polarity. Then, the factor as weights is applied to the coherent sum output after spatial autocorrelation to finally obtain the image. The simulated and experimental results prove that the noise level can be effectively suppressed due to its relatively low polarity coherence factor. Compared with the delay-and-sum method, the quantitative results in simulations show that the image contrast and full-width at half-maximum of the proposed method increase by about 227.0 % and 56.5 % when the signal-to-noise ratio of the raw signal is 0 dB, respectively. Besides achieving a better image contrast, this method obtains improvements in sidelobe attenuation and has a narrow main lobe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuqin Mao
- Ministry-of-Education Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics, Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Weiwei Zhao
- Ministry-of-Education Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics, Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Xiaoqin Qian
- Department of Ultrasound, Affiliated People’s Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, China
| | - Chao Tao
- Ministry-of-Education Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics, Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Xiaojun Liu
- Ministry-of-Education Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics, Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dimaridis I, Sridharan P, Ntziachristos V, Karlas A, Hadjileontiadis L. Image Quality Improvement Techniques and Assessment Adequacy in Clinical Optoacoustic Imaging: A Systematic Review. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:901. [PMID: 36291038 PMCID: PMC9599915 DOI: 10.3390/bios12100901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Optoacoustic imaging relies on the detection of optically induced acoustic waves to offer new possibilities in morphological and functional imaging. As the modality matures towards clinical application, research efforts aim to address multifactorial limitations that negatively impact the resulting image quality. In an endeavor to obtain a clear view on the limitations and their effects, as well as the status of this progressive refinement process, we conduct an extensive search for optoacoustic image quality improvement approaches that have been evaluated with humans in vivo, thus focusing on clinically relevant outcomes. We query six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and Google Scholar) for articles published from 1 January 2010 to 31 October 2021, and identify 45 relevant research works through a systematic screening process. We review the identified approaches, describing their primary objectives, targeted limitations, and key technical implementation details. Moreover, considering comprehensive and objective quality assessment as an essential prerequisite for the adoption of such approaches in clinical practice, we subject 36 of the 45 papers to a further in-depth analysis of the reported quality evaluation procedures, and elicit a set of criteria with the intent to capture key evaluation aspects. Through a comparative criteria-wise rating process, we seek research efforts that exhibit excellence in quality assessment of their proposed methods, and discuss features that distinguish them from works with similar objectives. Additionally, informed by the rating results, we highlight areas with improvement potential, and extract recommendations for designing quality assessment pipelines capable of providing rich evidence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Dimaridis
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Patmaa Sridharan
- Chair of Biological Imaging, Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Vasilis Ntziachristos
- Chair of Biological Imaging, Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI), Technical University of Munich, 80992 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, 80636 Munich, Germany
| | - Angelos Karlas
- Chair of Biological Imaging, Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, 80636 Munich, Germany
- Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Leontios Hadjileontiadis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
- Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC), Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
- Signal Processing and Biomedical Technology Unit, Telecommunications Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hui X, Malik MOA, Pramanik M. Looking deep inside tissue with photoacoustic molecular probes: a review. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2022; 27:070901. [PMID: 36451698 PMCID: PMC9307281 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.27.7.070901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Significance Deep tissue noninvasive high-resolution imaging with light is challenging due to the high degree of light absorption and scattering in biological tissue. Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) can overcome some of the challenges of pure optical or ultrasound imaging to provide high-resolution deep tissue imaging. However, label-free PAI signals from light absorbing chromophores within the tissue are nonspecific. The use of exogeneous contrast agents (probes) not only enhances the imaging contrast (and imaging depth) but also increases the specificity of PAI by binding only to targeted molecules and often providing signals distinct from the background. Aim We aim to review the current development and future progression of photoacoustic molecular probes/contrast agents. Approach First, PAI and the need for using contrast agents are briefly introduced. Then, the recent development of contrast agents in terms of materials used to construct them is discussed. Then, various probes are discussed based on targeting mechanisms, in vivo molecular imaging applications, multimodal uses, and use in theranostic applications. Results Material combinations are being used to develop highly specific contrast agents. In addition to passive accumulation, probes utilizing activation mechanisms show promise for greater controllability. Several probes also enable concurrent multimodal use with fluorescence, ultrasound, Raman, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography. Finally, targeted probes are also shown to aid localized and molecularly specific photo-induced therapy. Conclusions The development of contrast agents provides a promising prospect for increased contrast, higher imaging depth, and molecularly specific information. Of note are agents that allow for controlled activation, explore other optical windows, and enable multimodal use to overcome some of the shortcomings of label-free PAI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xie Hui
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Singapore
| | - Mohammad O. A. Malik
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Singapore
| | - Manojit Pramanik
- Nanyang Technological University, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Folic Acid-Modified Fluorescent-Magnetic Nanoparticles for Efficient Isolation and Identification of Circulating Tumor Cells in Ovarian Cancer. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12030184. [PMID: 35323454 PMCID: PMC8946694 DOI: 10.3390/bios12030184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is a lethal disease occurring in women worldwide. Due to the lack of obvious clinical symptoms and sensitivity biomarkers, OC patients are often diagnosed in advanced stages and suffer a poor prognosis. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), released from tumor sites into the peripheral blood, have been recognized as promising biomarkers in cancer prognosis, treatment monitoring, and metastasis diagnosis. However, the number of CTCs in peripheral blood is low, and it is a technical challenge to isolate, enrich, and identify CTCs from the blood samples of patients. This work develops a simple, effective, and inexpensive strategy to capture and identify CTCs from OC blood samples using the folic acid (FA) and antifouling-hydrogel-modified fluorescent-magnetic nanoparticles. The hydrogel showed a good antifouling property against peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The FA was coupled to the hydrogel surface as the targeting molecule for the CTC isolation, held a good capture efficiency for SK-OV-3 cells (95.58%), and successfully isolated 2–12 CTCs from 10 OC patients’ blood samples. The FA-modified fluorescent-magnetic nanoparticles were successfully used for the capture and direct identification of CTCs from the blood samples of OC patients.
Collapse
|
6
|
Xia J, Lediju Bell MA, Laufer J, Yao J. Translational Photoacoustic Imaging for Disease Diagnosis, Monitoring, and Surgical Guidance: introduction to the feature issue. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2021; 12:4115-4118. [PMID: 34457402 PMCID: PMC8367276 DOI: 10.1364/boe.430421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
This feature issue of Biomedical Optics Express covered all aspects of translational photoacoustic research. Application areas include screening and diagnosis of diseases, imaging of disease progression and therapeutic response, and image-guided treatment, such as surgery, drug delivery, and photothermal/photodynamic therapy. The feature issue also covers relevant developments in photoacoustic instrumentation, contrast agents, image processing and reconstruction algorithms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Xia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Muyinatu A. Lediju Bell
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 3400 N. Charles St., Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Jan Laufer
- Institut für Physik, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, von-Danckelmann-Platz 3, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Junjie Yao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| |
Collapse
|