Highly efficient detection in fluorescence tomography of quantum dots using time-gated acquisition and ultrafast pulsed laser

Xiaofeng Zhang; Cristian T. Badea

doi:10.1117/12.875502

17 February 2011 Highly efficient detection in fluorescence tomography of quantum dots using time-gated acquisition and ultrafast pulsed laser

Xiaofeng Zhang, Cristian T. Badea

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7896, Optical Tomography and Spectroscopy of Tissue IX; 78962W (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.875502
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2011, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) are widely used in fluorescence tomography due to its unique advantages. Despite the very high quantum efficiency of the QDs, low fluorescent signal and autofluorescence are the most fundamental limitations in optical data acquisition. These limitations are particularly detrimental to image reconstruction for animal imaging, e.g., free-space in vivo fluorescence tomography. In animals studies, fluorescent emission from exogenous fluorescent probes (e.g. QDs) cannot be effectively differentiated from endogenous broad-spectral substances (mostly proteins) using optical filters. In addition, a barrow-band fluorescent filter blocks the majority of the fluorescent light and thus makes signal acquisition very inefficient. We made use of the long fluorescent lifetime of the QDs to reject the optical signal due to the excitation light pulse, and therefore eliminated the need for a fluorescent filter during acquisition. Fluorescent emission from the QDs was excited with an ultrafast pulsed laser, and was detected using a time-gated image intensifier. A tissue-simulating imaging phantom was used to validate the proposed method. Compared to the standard acquisition method that uses a narrow-band fluorescent filter, the proposed method is significantly more efficient in data acquisition (by a factor of >10 in terms of fluorescent signal intensity) and demonstrated reduction in autofluorescence. No additional imaging artifact was observed in the tomographic reconstruction.

Citation Download Citation

Xiaofeng Zhang and Cristian T. Badea "Highly efficient detection in fluorescence tomography of quantum dots using time-gated acquisition and ultrafast pulsed laser", Proc. SPIE 7896, Optical Tomography and Spectroscopy of Tissue IX, 78962W (17 February 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.875502

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available