Research Article
Yiyong Tan and Huabei Jiang
Abstract
A novel quantitative fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) imager for both macro and meso-scale animal experiments is developed. The image reconstruction algorithms are implemented in the framework of finite element method, while the experimental system is constructed using a non-contact, multi-angle full 360 degree transmission scheme. Shape-from-silhouette based volume carving approach is used to render the 3D models of the actual samples. With a free-space light propagation model, the readout from the CCD is converted into the photon density normal to sample surface in order to match the model-based tomographic reconstruction. For meso-scale subjects, a radiative transfer equation (RTE) based FMT reconstruction algorithm is adopted. For macro-scale subjects, a diffusion approximation (DA) based FMT reconstruction algorithm is adopted. Imaging results for both macro-scale and meso- scale subjects are presented to valid system performance.