Mesoscopic epifluorescence tomography: reconstruction of superficial and deep fluorescence in highly-scattering media

Abstract

Mesoscopic Epifluorescence Tomography (MEFT) is a technique derived from Laminar Optical Tomography (LOT), determining fluorescence biodistribution by tomographic means in reflectance geometry. A pencil beam is scanned over the region of interest to excite fluorophores hidden within the tissue, while a CCD camera acquires images of reflected fluorescence emissions. This configuration is advantageous whenever transillumination of the specimen is not feasible, e.g., in the presence of skin chambers or when using wavelengths in the visible range where absorption is high. We present simulation and phantom studies recovering deep GFP-like fluorescence in highly scattering and strongly absorbing media with a penetration depth up to 10mm.