Targeted imaging using ultrasound contrast agents

The applications of ultrasound contrast agents have recently expanded from blood pool enhancement to include passive targeting of physiological systems (in particular, the lymphatic and reticuloendothelial systems) and molecular imaging of factors expressed in angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, and inflammation. This article summarizes the progress made in targeted imaging using ultrasound with an emphasis on the opportunities this research provides for both clinical and research applications. We begin with a summary of current ultrasound contrast technology and then review the latest research in the use of targeted ultrasound contrast agents.     

Molecular imaging and therapy directed at the neovasculature in pathologies

We have discussed the impact of molecular imaging on clinical and preclinical medicine. We have presented the potential problems of delivering the effective therapeutic dose and the properties that can help contribute to the drug efficacy. The rationale for the design of new antiangiogenic agents that can be used for imaging and therapy was presented. Finally, results from imaging and targeted nanoparticle based therapies were presented. In vivo imaging of angiogenic tumors using anti-alpha(v)beta3 -targeted polymerized vesicles composed of the murine antibody LM609 attached to NPs labeled with the MR contrast agent gadolinium in the V2 carcinoma model in rabbits. MRI studies using this targeted contrast agent revealed large areas of alpha(v)beta3 integrin expression in tumor-associated vasculature that conventional MRIs failed to show. Other investigators have used microemulsions conjugated to an antibody targeted against alpha(v)beta as imaging agents. These materials also show contrast enhancement of tumor vasculature undergoing angiogenesis. Other markers, such as the PECAM-1 (CD-31), VCAM-1 (CD54) and VEGF receptor (flk-1), have been shown to be upregulated on tumor endothelium and associated with angiogenesis but have not been used in imaging studies. Furthermore, by modification of the NPs, we were able to use this imaging agent as an antiangiogenic gene delivery system. The results from these studies are very promising and are being further pursued.     

An investigation on attenuation UCT with wave paths enhancement for breast ultrasound

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent health hazards in women all over the world. An annual screening test using a diagnostic ultrasound seems to be an appropriate method to handle this physical threat. In this paper, we propose the use of a two‐dimensional reflection‐mode ultrasonic tomography system for a general breast ultrasound investigation enhanced by an echo wave path using a wave reflecting plate. Our virtual imaging setup system is composed of a 128‐element conventional linear array transducer placed on the top of a water bath and a wave reflector attached around this setup. The shape of the wave reflector was designed as a single plate shape, rectangular shape and curve shape. For projection data, we estimate a line integral insonifying data by using a classical integration slope of attenuation coefficient method in which its derivative is independent of transmittance, reflectance, and noise. By imaging a virtual breast phantom model, the reconstruction results obtained from an iterative algebraic reconstruction technique (ART) algorithm show a promising image. The image is not only indicates a tissue characterization from quantitative attenuation data, but also restores an area covered by hard tissue due to an increased wave path direction from our nonrotational imaging system. These results encourage us to implement our concept with a clinical study in the near future. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Vascular and perfusion imaging using encapsulated laser-polarized helium

In this work, the use of hyperpolarized (HP)³He for in vivo intravascular imaging on animal is reported. To overcome the problem of the low solubility of helium in blood, we propose an approach based on helium encapsulation in lipid-based carrier agents. The mean diameter of the³He microbubbles. measured equal to 3.0 ±0.2 μm, makes it possible to conduct in vivo studies. In vitro spectroscopy yielded a longitudinal relaxation time T₁ equal to 90 s and an apparent transverse relaxation timeT ₂ ^* of 4.5 ms. Angiographie imaging (venous and cardiac cavity visualization), as well as lung perfusion imaging, were demonstrated in rats using intravenous injections of microbubble suspensions. Suitable signal and spatial resolution were achieved. The potential of this technique for lung perfusion assessment was assessed using an experimental animal embolism model. Lung perfusion defects and recovery towards a normal perfusion state were visualized. This study was completed with the demonstration of a new ventilation-perfusion lung exploration method based entirely on HP³He.     

注入电流式磁声成像平面模型的逆问题研究

注入电流式磁声成像是电阻抗成像和超声成像相结合的一种新型成像技术,具有电阻抗成像的高对比度和超声成像高分辨率的优势,是一种有望获得高质量图像的生物电阻抗成像技术,在生物医学成像领域具有广阔的应用前景。作为一种新型成像技术,目前在电导率的重建方面还没有形成完整的体系。针对二维平面模型,提出一种由声场信号准确重建被测样品电流密度的方法。首先采用维纳滤波反卷积方法由超声换能器测量的声场信号重建被测样品原始声场p(r,t),接着利用时间反演法获取声源分布0??(J×B),然后考虑到二维平面模型只有电流密度的两个分量,结合电流连续性定理,从而重建电流密度的两个分量xJ、yJ,最后设计并搭建注入式磁声成像实验平台,利用生物组织进行实验,最终得到猪肉组织的电导率图像,重建结果证明了重建方法的可行性。     

以LED点阵为特征的差动式视觉检测技术

为检测光滑金属工件表面缺陷,以发光LED点阵作为被检工件的背景,搭建了基于平行光照明的视觉检测系统.由于工件表面与缺陷在明暗域图像中有完全相反的灰度表现.使用三个相机从不同角度采集被检工件图像;提取三幅图像中LED点阵各发光点的中心坐标,并以之作为特征点对图像实施了结合随机抽样一致(random sample consensus,RANSAC)估计的直接线性变换(direct linear transformation,DLT);最终实现了明暗域图像间的差动式融合.实验结果表明差动式融合不但有效地消除了背景带来的干扰信息,而且明显提高了缺陷与被检工件表面的对比度.     

Sonophoretic Delivery for Contrast and Depth Improvement in Skin Optical Coherence Tomography

Our previous studies demonstrated the feasibility of using a sonophoretic delivery method to enhance skin light transmittance with topical application of optical clearing agents using spectroscopy. In this study, we examined the effect of ultrasound [surgeon-performed (SP)] on optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging depth and contrast of in vitro and in vivo skin. Sixty percent glycerol (G) and SP with a frequency of 1 MHz and a power of 0.75 W over a 3 cm probe was simultaneously applied for 15 min. We find that 60% G/SP results in a twofold increase in achievable OCT imaging depth for in vitro porcine skin and induces 11% shrinkage of the skin. For in vivo human skin, OCT imaging depth and contrast is significantly improved within 30 min of treatment. Imaging depth is increased from 1.4 to 2 mm, and dermal vasculature is clearly visualized in the deeper tissue. OCT imaging of the skin treated with 60% glycerol shows little enhancement in contrast or imaging depth over 60 min. We first demonstrate the superb ability of sonophoretic delivery for in vivo human skin optical clearing, particularly in accelerating the clearing rate. The greater clearing efficiency of glycerol implemented with ultrasound may be attributed to more effective dehydration.     

Improvements in ultrasound contrast agents

This article highlights the current state of ultrasound contrast imaging, including recent improvements in ultrasound contrast agents that allow the agents to pass through pulmonary circulation and even to circulate throughout the human body. A brief history of the field is presented, and current contrast agents and their properties are discussed. Clinical applications in cardiology and potential applications in other areas are also detailed     

Preparation of a sensor substrate using functionalized mesoporous silica on a gold film for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy

The use of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy has been applied to a wide variety of fields such as biosensors and surface analysis instruments. In general, a SPR substrate is prepared using self-assembled monolayer (SAM) method of organic molecules as receptor for the target on a layer of gold or silver. However, mesoporous inorganic materials such as SBA-15 have benefits as sensor substrate for SPR. Mesoporous silica has a large surface area which receptor molecule can be attached and has a rigid body which has an excellent stability in the extreme condition compared to organic sensing layer. We prepared an organic modified mesoporous silica and successfully immobilized it on a gold surface, in an attempt to use as a substrate for SPR spectroscopy. For the comparison of sensitivity of prepared substrate, Pt²⁺ detection was selected as a model system. Substrate prepared in this study exhibited the capability of selective sensing for Pt²⁺ ions.     

基于图像对比度的舰船目标成像算法

针对舰船目标ISAR成像时舰船随机摆动对于成像质量的影响,提出了一种同时基于多普勒中心估计和图像对比度准则的最优成像时间段选择方法。该方法根据海舰船回波的实际数据,估计各个回波的多普勒中心频率,并根据多普勒中心曲线选取舰船目标的线性成像段。然后,通过采用图像对比度准则,对该线性段进行处理。相比已有的方法,本文的成像效果更好。该方法易于实现且运算量较低,适用于实时应用。仿真数据的处理结果验证了本文所提方法的有效性。