To confirm the presence of prostate cancer which is the most incident visceral cancer in men, prostate biopsies are acquired using the magnetic resonance imaging fusion-guided prostate biopsy protocol. For this approach annotated magnetic resonance imaging is overlaid onto real-time ultrasound imaging to guide sampling of suspicious regions marked by uroradiologists. Additional biopsy samples are acquired via the previous clinical gold standard, i.e. the templated 12-core transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy protocol. While this approach improves the sensitivity of the prostate biopsy, a real-time, multiparametric imaging method of identifying biopsy targets could help overcome some of the inherent pitfalls of the magnetic resonance imaging fusion-guided prostate biopsy. Since ultrasound is used during the prostate biopsy, photoacoustic tomography, e.g. a hybrid imaging modality in which clinical ultrasound probes can be used to detect centimeters deep chemical alterations, has the potential to provide real-time targeting during biopsy. The translation of photoacoustic tomography to the clinic for prostate biopsy has been prevented by engineering challenges, which include identification of a biomarker for detecting suspicious regions of tissue and light delivery to the prostate for photoacoustic signal generation. Here, we present a vascular texture analysis method that identified 100% of primary and 67% of secondary tumors in the testing data set of ex vivo human prostate specimens. This method can be applied to future in vivo photoacoustic and ultrasound tomography of human prostates after further optimization of light delivery for photoacoustic tomography. To progress towards achieving this aim, we developed a transurethral light delivery device with angular light coupling method. By controlling the launch angle of the light into the fiber, the conversion of forward to side propagating energy can be improved from 27% to 98%, and the longitudinal emission profile can be controlled in order to illuminate the whole prostate simultaneously.<br>

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on January 11, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.

We demonstrate a versatile phase-change sub-micron contrast agent providing three modes of contrast enhancement: 1) photoacoustic imaging contrast, 2) ultrasound contrast with optical activation, and 3) ultrasound contrast with acoustic activation. This agent, which we name 'Cy-droplet', has the following novel features. It comprises a highly volatile perfluorocarbon for easy versatile activation, and a near-infrared optically absorbing dye chosen to absorb light at a wavelength with good tissue penetration. It is manufactured via a 'microbubble condensation' method. The phase-transition of Cy-droplets can be optically triggered by pulsed-laser illumination, inducing photoacoustic signal and forming stable gas bubbles that are visible with echo-ultrasound in situ. Alternatively, Cy-droplets can be converted to microbubble contrast agents upon acoustic activation with clinical ultrasound. Potentially all modes offer extravascular contrast enhancement because of the sub-micron initial size. Such versatility of acoustic and optical 'triggerability' can potentially improve multi-modality imaging, molecularly targeted imaging and controlled drug release. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

La présente dissertation est principalement consacrée à la conception et à la caractérisation d’une sonde universelle pour l’imagerie volumétrique ultrasons-optoacoustique et le développement d’un algorithme de reconstruction adapté aux exigences physiques pour la conception du système. Les traits distinctifs de cette dissertation sont l’introduction d’une nouvelle géométrie pour les sondes manuelles ultrasons-optoacoustique et des évaluations systématiques basées sur des méthodes de pré-reconstruction et post-reconstruction. Pour éviter l’interprétation biaisée, une évaluation capable d’évaluer le potentiel de la sonde doit être faite. Les caractéristiques mentionnées établissent un cadre pour l’évaluation des performances du système d’imagerie d’une manière précise. En outre, elle permet d’optimiser les performances suivant l’objectif fixé. Ainsi, deux algorithmes de reconstruction anticipée ont été élaborés pour la conception du système OPUS (optoacoustique ultrasons) capables de produire des images avec un contraste et une résolution homogènes sur tout le volume d’intérêt. L’intérêt d’avoir de tels algorithmes est principalement dû au fait que l’analyse des données médicales est souvent faite dans des conditions difficiles, car on est face au bruit, au faible contraste, aux projections limités et à des transformations indésirables opérées par les systèmes d’acquisition. Cette thèse montre, aussi, comment les artefacts de reconstruction peuvent être réduits en compensant les propriétés d’ouverture et en atténuant les artefacts dus à l’échantillonnage angulaire parcimonieux. Afin de transférer cette méthodologie à la clinique et de valider les résultats théoriques, une plate-forme d’imagerie expérimentale a été développée. En utilisant le système de mesure développé, l’évolution d’une nouvelle géométrie annulaire parcimonieuse et sa dynamique ont été étudiées et une preuve de concept a été démontrée à travers des mesures expérimentales dans le but d’évaluer les progrès réalisés. / When the interest is in multiscale and multipurpose imaging, there exists such a will in integrating multi-modalilties into a synergistic paradigm in order to leverage the diagnostic values of the interrogating agents. Employing multiple wavelengths radiation, optoacoustic imaging benefits from the optical contrast to specifically resolve molecular structure of tissue in a non-invasive manner. Hybridizing optoacoustic and ultrasound imaging comes with the promises of delivering the complementary morphological, functional and metabolic information of the tissue. This dissertation is mainly devoted to the design and characterization of a hybridized universal handheld probe for optoacoustic ultrasound volumetric imaging and developing adaptive reconstruction algorithms toward the physical requirements of the designed system. The distinguishing features of this dissertation are the introduction of a new geometry for optoacoustic ultrasonic handheld probe and systematic assessments based on pre and post reconstruction methods. To avoid the biased interpretation, a de facto performance assessment being capable of evaluating the potentials of the designed probe in an unbiased manner must be practiced. The aforementioned features establish a framework for characterization of the imaging system performance in an accurate manner. Moreover, it allows further task performance optimization as well. Correspondingly, two advanced reconstruction algorithms have been elaborated towards the requirement of the designed optoacoustic-ultrasound (OPUS) imaging system in order to maximize its ability to produce images with homogeneous contrast and resolution over the entire volume of interest. This interest is mainly due to the fact that the medical data analysis pipeline is often carried out in challenging conditions, since one has to deal with noise, low contrast, limited projections and undesirable transformations operated by the acquisition system. The presented thesis shows how reconstruction artifacts can be reduced by compensating for the detecting aperture properties and alleviate artifacts due to sparse angular sampling. In pursuit of transferring this methodology to clinic and validating the theoretical results, a synthetic imaging platform was developed. Using the measurement system, the evolution of a novel sparse annular geometry and its dynamics has been investigated and a proof of concept was demonstrated via experimental measurement with the intention of benchmarking progress.

Orientador: Daniel Pereira / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Fisica Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T18:30:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Costa_LeversonFariasLamonier_D.pdf: 15914858 bytes, checksum: 1c9b9d5747ffb493f5451d81d2898051 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: Neste trabalho realizamos três importantes etapas: 1) montar e caracterizar um laser selado de 13C02, 2) empregar o laser selado de 13C02 como fonte de bombeamento óptico para a molécula de metanol CH30H, e utilizá-lo pela primeira vez, para excitar o isótopo de metanol 13CH30H para geração de ondas na região do TeraHertz (THz) e 3) Propor "assignments" para as transições THz do CH30H e do 13CH30H. Para excitar as respectivas moléculas de metanol, um tubo comercial selado de 13C02 foi montado e caracterizado num ressonador laser Fabry-Perot. Dois cabeçotes de aluminio foram conectados por 4 barras de invar, separado em 135cm. Em um dos cabeçotes, temos uma grade de difração (150 linhas/mm) na configuração Littrow para selecionar as linhas de emissao do respectivo laser. 0 2° cabeçote suporta um espelho de saída de ZnSe (90% de refletividade com 10m de raio de curvatura) acoplado num PZT para sintonia fina da frequência do laser. No sistema de alimentação, usamos uma fonte de alta tensão comercial (25kV, 8mA) operando em regime DC. Com isso, utilizamos o respectivo laser para excitar as moléculas CH30H e 13CH30H, onde fomos pioneiro no uso do mesmo para bombeio óptico da molécula 13CH30H. Decorrente disso, obtemos os espectros de absorção em torno de cada linha de emissão do 13C02 dos respectivos metanol. Estes dados serviram de referenda para investigação sistemática de novas emissões THz, onde observamos e caracterizamos 12 novas linhas THz do CH30H e 19 do 13CH30H. Todas foram caracterizadas em relação ao seu comprimento de onda, offset, pressao de trabalho, polaridade e intensidade relativa.Utilizando os dados de linhas THz observados por nós, e os espectros de absorção a Transformada de Fourier do CH30H e do 13CH30H, um programa computacional intitulado "Ritz", identificou "assignments" para 4 transições THz do CH30H e 9 emissoes THz para 13CH30H, respectivamente / Abstract: In this work we accomplish three important tasks: to mount and to characterize a laser sealed-off 13C02 to optically pump first time methanol molecules CH30H and 13CH30H for generation of TeraHertz waves; Proposed assignments for transistions THz of the CH30H and 13CH30H. For optical pumping we use a commercial sealed-off 13C02, tube in a homemade Fabry-Perot laser resonator, mounted on two aluminum blocks connected by invar rods and separeted by 1.35m. One block holds a grating (150grooves/mm) used in Littrow configuration to select the emission line, while the second block supports a ZnSe output mirror (90% reflectivity and 10m radius of curvature) mounted on a PZT for fine frequency tuning. We use high voltage power supply (25kV, 8mA) to operate the 13C02 laser in CW regime. A cooling system maintains operation of the laser tube at -10o C. Output powers of l0 W and 1l0 MHz tuning range are typical for lines with higher optical gains. After, molecules CH30H and 13CH30H, optoacoustics spectroscopy (OA) signal, obtained around each sealed-off 13C02 laser line were the starting point to search for THz laser lines. For the more intense OA signal, a systematic investigation was performed to observe and characterize 12 new THz lines of the CH30H and 19 THz emissions of 13CH30H that they had been characterized in wavelength, offset, working pressure, relativepolarity and relative intensity. The available data has been compared a Ritz analysis of the high-resolution Fourier-Transform absorption spectrum of CH30H and 13CH30H, resulting in the assignments for 4 THz transistions of the CH30H and 9 THz emissions for 13CH30H, respectively / Doutorado / Física Atômica e Molecular / Doutor em Ciências

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / A espectroscopia fotoacústica (PAS) é uma técnica não destrutiva e muito utilizada na caracterização óptica e térmica de materiais. Ela é baseada no efeito fotoacústico que consiste, basicamente, na absorção de onda eletromagnética modulada e na geração de calor no interior do material em estudo (amostra), via processo de desexcitação não-radiativa. Dentre as muitas aplicações relacionadas à caracterização de materiais, recentemente, a técnica PAS vem sendo desenvolvida para estudos de transição de fase de segunda ordem. Entretanto, poucos trabalhos são encontrados na literatura com relação à aplicação da técnica PAS ao estudo da transição vítrea. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho é o de aplicar a técnica PAS na determinação da temperatura de transição vítrea de materiais poliméricos, de uma maneira inovadora com relação à célula fotoacústica e ao sistema de aquecimento. Para isso foi projetada e construída uma célula fotoacústica que possibilita a variação de temperatura da amostra, sem afetar a curva de resposta do microfone. Foi desenvolvido um sistema de aquecimento baseado no efeito Peltier, possibilitando fazer rampas de subida de temperatura, com várias velocidades, da temperatura ambiente até 130 C, de forma linear. Todo o aparato experimental foi testado e aplicado em várias amostras poliméricas: poliamida 6.0 (Nylon); poliestireno (PS-n1921 e PS-n2380); e poli(tereftalato de etileno) (PET). Os resultados obtidos foram: para o Nylon, ; para o PS-n1921, ; para o PS-n2380, ; e para o PET, . Estes resultados estão de acordo com os respectivos valores da temperatura de transição vítrea encontrados na literatura e mostram a potencialidade da técnica PAS ao estudo da transição vítrea de materiais poliméricos. / Photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) is a non-destructive technique and it has been largely applied to the thermal and optical characterization of materials. PAS technique is based on the photoacoustic effect which consist, basically, absorption of a modulated electromagnetic radiation and generation of heat inside of the material studied (sample), by a nonradiative deexcitation processes. Nowadays, among many PAS applications, effort are carried out to apply PAS technique for second-order phase transitions. However, only a few works can be found in the literature about glass transition studies with PAS technique. In this context, the main goal of this work is to apply PAS technique to determine glass transition temperature of the polymeric materials, based on the new photoacoustic cell configuration and on the new heating system. In this way, a photoacoustic cell was builted up for monitoring temperature variation of the sample, where the performance of the microphone was not affected. A heating system was developed based on the Peltier effect, in such way that it is possible to scan the temperature from the environment one up to 130 C, linearly at several speeds. The experimental apparatus was tested and applied to some polymeric materials: polyamide 6.0 (Nylon); polystyrene (PS-n1921 e PS-n2380); and poli(tereftalato de etileno) (PET). The results obtained were: Nylon, ; PS-n1921, ; PS-n2380, ; and PET, . These results are in a good agreement with the respective values of glass transition temperature found in the literature and show the PAS technique potentiality for glass transition studies in polymeric materials.

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / A espectroscopia fotoacústica (PAS) é uma técnica não destrutiva e muito utilizada na caracterização óptica e térmica de materiais. Ela é baseada no efeito fotoacústico que consiste, basicamente, na absorção de onda eletromagnética modulada e na geração de calor no interior do material em estudo (amostra), via processo de desexcitação não-radiativa. Dentre as muitas aplicações relacionadas à caracterização de materiais, recentemente, a técnica PAS vem sendo desenvolvida para estudos de transição de fase de segunda ordem. Entretanto, poucos trabalhos são encontrados na literatura com relação à aplicação da técnica PAS ao estudo da transição vítrea. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho é o de aplicar a técnica PAS na determinação da temperatura de transição vítrea de materiais poliméricos, de uma maneira inovadora com relação à célula fotoacústica e ao sistema de aquecimento. Para isso foi projetada e construída uma célula fotoacústica que possibilita a variação de temperatura da amostra, sem afetar a curva de resposta do microfone. Foi desenvolvido um sistema de aquecimento baseado no efeito Peltier, possibilitando fazer rampas de subida de temperatura, com várias velocidades, da temperatura ambiente até 130 C, de forma linear. Todo o aparato experimental foi testado e aplicado em várias amostras poliméricas: poliamida 6.0 (Nylon); poliestireno (PS-n1921 e PS-n2380); e poli(tereftalato de etileno) (PET). Os resultados obtidos foram: para o Nylon, ; para o PS-n1921, ; para o PS-n2380, ; e para o PET, . Estes resultados estão de acordo com os respectivos valores da temperatura de transição vítrea encontrados na literatura e mostram a potencialidade da técnica PAS ao estudo da transição vítrea de materiais poliméricos. / Photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) is a non-destructive technique and it has been largely applied to the thermal and optical characterization of materials. PAS technique is based on the photoacoustic effect which consist, basically, absorption of a modulated electromagnetic radiation and generation of heat inside of the material studied (sample), by a nonradiative deexcitation processes. Nowadays, among many PAS applications, effort are carried out to apply PAS technique for second-order phase transitions. However, only a few works can be found in the literature about glass transition studies with PAS technique. In this context, the main goal of this work is to apply PAS technique to determine glass transition temperature of the polymeric materials, based on the new photoacoustic cell configuration and on the new heating system. In this way, a photoacoustic cell was builted up for monitoring temperature variation of the sample, where the performance of the microphone was not affected. A heating system was developed based on the Peltier effect, in such way that it is possible to scan the temperature from the environment one up to 130 C, linearly at several speeds. The experimental apparatus was tested and applied to some polymeric materials: polyamide 6.0 (Nylon); polystyrene (PS-n1921 e PS-n2380); and poli(tereftalato de etileno) (PET). The results obtained were: Nylon, ; PS-n1921, ; PS-n2380, ; and PET, . These results are in a good agreement with the respective values of glass transition temperature found in the literature and show the PAS technique potentiality for glass transition studies in polymeric materials.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Photoacoustic Imaging is a non-invasive optical imaging modality used to image biological tissues. In this method, a pulsating laser illuminates a region of tissues to be imaged, which then generates an acoustic wave due to thermal volume expansion. This wave is then sensed using an acoustic sensor such as a piezoelectric transducer and the resultant signal is converted into an imaging using the back projection algorithm. Since different types of tissues have different photo-acoustic properties, this imaging modality can be used for imaging different types of tissues and bodily organ systems. This study aims at quantifying the process of light conversion into the acoustic signal. Light travels through tissues and gets attenuated (scattered or absorbed) or reflected depending on the optical properties of the tissues. The process of light propagation through tissues is studied using Monte Carlo simulation software which predicts the propagation of light through tissues of various shapes and with different optical properties. This simulation gives the resultant energy distribution due to light absorption and scattering on a voxel by voxel basis. The Monte Carlo code alone is not sufficient to validate the photon propagation. The success of the Monte Carlo code depends on accurate prediction of the optical properties of the tissues. It also depends on accurately depicting tissue boundaries and thus the resolution of the imaging space. Hence, a validation algorithm has been designed so as to recover the optical properties of the tissues which are imaged and to successfully validate the simulation results. The accuracy of the validation code is studied for various optical properties and boundary conditions. The results are then compared and validated with real time images obtained from the photoacoustic scanner. The various parameters for the successful validation of Monte Carlo method are studied and presented. This study is then validated using the algorithm to study the conversion of light to sound. Thus it is a significant step in the quantification of the photoacoustic effect so as to accurately predict tissue properties.