Hybrid positron detection and optical coherence tomography system: design, calibration, and experimental validation with rabbit atherosclerotic models

Abstract

We evaluate the performance of our novel hybrid optical coherence tomography (OCT) and scintillating probe, demonstrate simultaneous OCT imaging and scintillating detection, and validate the system using an atherosclerotic rabbit model. Preliminary data obtained from the rabbit model suggest that our prototype positron probe detects local uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) labeled with 18F positron (beta) radionuclide emitter, and the high-uptake regions correlate with sites of injury and extensive atherosclerosis areas. Preliminary data also suggest that coregistered high-resolution OCT images provide imaging of detailed plaque microstructures, which cannot be resolved by positron detection.

Potential role of a hybrid intraoperative probe based on OCT and positron detection for ovarian cancer detection and characterization

“…A ratio of 11.4 was obtained as (total counts (beta + gamma) – gamma counts) / (gamma counts), with both measurements being five minutes long. This ratio agrees with the data from literature and our previous measurements [9,29]. Based on this ratio, we expect to get 243 counts for 2 beta-shielded scintillators as compared with the total 12035 counts obtained for the 8 beta sensitive scintillators.…”

“…The scintillating fibers are not only sensitive to positrons but also to gamma rays generated from positron annihilation in surrounding tissue. The high gamma background can therefore produce high background levels even with a positron-to-gamma sensitivity ratio of 10-13:1 typical of low-Z plastic scintillators [9,29]. In order to reduce the impact of gamma contamination, two separate 0.25 mm-thick Cu-shielded fibers measure the approximate gamma background levels that are then subtracted from the total detector counts.…”

“…In our previous publication [28,29], we introduced a novel hybrid intraoperative imaging device, which integrates multiple scintillating fibers and an OCT imaging probe for mapping the local uptake of 18 F-FDG and imaging morphological details of the rabbit atherosclerotic model and ovary. This hybrid imager has potential applications in ovarian cancer screening and diagnosis during minimally invasive endoscope procedures.…”

Endoscopic Microscopy Using Optical Coherence Tomography

“…Similarly, combining OCT with nuclear imaging modalities such as positron detection [49,243,244] has also been developed. Recently, Li et al integrated absorptionsensitive photoacoustic imaging to augment the scatteringpredominant OCT imaging [111].…”

Optical Coherence Tomography in Dentistry

“…Cardiovascular imaging [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] has become the next big thing when the coronary OCT products have seen FDA clearance in the United States. Besides the two types of applications, OCT holds promise in dermatological 8,[28][29][30][31] , dental [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] , small animal [44][45][46] , development biology [47][48][49] , and various endoscopic applications [50][51][52][53][54][55] such as for esophagus, colon, and ovarian imaging.…”