A novel denoising framework for cerenkov luminescence imaging based on spatial information improved clustering and curvature-driven diffusion

With widely availed clinically used radionuclides,Cer enkov luminescence imaging(CLI)has become a potential tool in the field of optical molecular imaging.However,the impulse noises introduced by high-energy gamma rays that are generated during the decay of radionuclide reduce the image quality significantly,which affects the acauracy of quantitative analysis,as well as the three dimensional reconstruction.In this work,a novel denoising framework based on fuzzy dlustering and curvat ure driven difusion(CDD)is proposed to remove this kind of impulse noises.To improve the accuracy,the F u1zzy Local Information C-Means algorithm,where spatial information is evolved,is used.We evaluate the per formance of the proposed framework sys-tematically with a series of experiments,and the corresponding results demonstrate a better denoising effect than those from the commonly used median filter method.We hope this work may provide a useful data pre processing tool for CLI and its following studies.

Research on the interaction mechanism between quantum dots and radionuclides for the improvement of Cerenkov luminescence imaging

Cerenkov luminescence imaging(CLI) is a relatively new optical molecular imaging technique. The nature of Stokes shift in quantum dots(QD) can be used to improve the quality of CLI. However, the interaction mechanism of QD with Cerenkov light remains unclear. In this work, the interaction mechanism between QD and radionuclides emitting β rays, γ rays, and Cerenkov light was investigated. The 96-well plates were used to test the different levels of radioactivity of radionuclides with different QD concentrations. Transparent vials were used to determine the relationship between QD fluorescence intensity and the distance from QD to the radionuclide. In addition, black paper was used to block the transmission of Cerenkov light through the QD vials. A linear relationship was found between the number of photons and the radioactivity of radionuclides when the QD concentration was kept constant. Similarly, the number of photons was linearly related to the QD concentration when the radioactivity of radionuclides was kept constant. Furthermore, with the increases in the distance between radionuclides and quantum dots, the number of photons was exponentially decreased. Meanwhile, the number of photons emitted from QD excited by Cerenkov light accounted for 20% the total number of photons excited by 131 I radionuclide. The result proved that QD was not only excited by Cerenkov light but also by other rays.

Optical Molecular Imaging Frontiers in Oncology: The Pursuit of Accuracy and Sensitivity

Cutting-edge technologies in optical molecular imaging have ushered in new frontiers in cancer research, clinical translation, and medical practice, as evidenced by recent advances in optical multimodality imaging, Cerenkov luminescence imaging(CLI), and optical imageguided surgeries. New abilities allow in vivo cancer imaging with sensitivity and accuracy that are unprecedented in conventional imaging approaches. The visualization of cellular and molecular behaviors and events within tumors in living subjects is improving our deeper understanding of tumors at a systems level. These advances are being rapidly used to acquire tumor-to-tumor molecular heterogeneity, both dynamically and quantitatively, as well as to achieve more effective therapeutic interventions with the assistance of real-time imaging. In the era of molecular imaging, optical technologies hold great promise to facilitate the development of highly sensitive cancer diagnoses as well as personalized patient treatment—one of the ultimate goals of precision medicine.