Multi Simulation Platform for Time Domain Diffuse Optical Tomography: An Application to a Compact Hand-Held Reflectance Probe

Featured ApplicationThe present work represents a preliminary performance assessment of a simulated system for Time Domain Diffuse Optical Tomography, in view of the upcoming development of a real system for breast cancer imaging, which shall feature a reduced number of sources and detectors, compact silicon-based detectors, and that shall avoid exceedingly long breast examination times. These features make the proposed system suitable to be integrated into a compact hand-held probe for breast lesion characterization (malignant vs. benign). To improve the reconstructions, morphological information will be provided by ultrasound imaging, integrating an ultrasound transducer in the probe along with the TD-DOT instrumentation.Abstract Time Domain Diffuse Optical Tomography (TD-DOT) enables a full 3D reconstruction of the optical properties of tissue, and could be used for non-invasive and cost-effective in-depth body exploration (e.g., thyroid and breast imaging). Performance quantification is crucial for comparing results coming from different implementations of this technique. A general-purpose simulation platform for TD-DOT clinical systems was developed with a focus on performance assessment through meaningful figures of merit. The platform was employed for assessing the feasibility and characterizing a compact hand-held probe for breast imaging and characterization in reflectance geometry. Important parameters such as hardware gating of the detector, photon count rate and inclusion position were investigated. Results indicate a reduced error (<10%) on the absorption coefficient quantification of a simulated inclusion up to 2-cm depth if a photon count rate >= 10(6) counts per second is used along with a good localization (error < 1 mm down to 25 mm-depth).