Systems and methods for computed tomographic reconstruction

Abstract

An image of an object is synergistically reconstructed using two or multiple imaging modalities. A first reconstructed image, showing structural information of the object is produced using a first imaging modality. The first reconstructed image is segmented, and known optical properties of the object are then mapped to the first reconstructed image. Optical signal emissions from the object are detected and registered with the first reconstructed image. A second reconstructed image volume is then produced using a second imaging modality, based on the mapped optical properties after registration between the first image and the data from the second modality. The second reconstructed image depicts some optical property, such as a bioluminescent source distribution, or optical properties, such as, attenuation and scattering properties, of the object.

1 . A system, comprising:
 first imaging equipment for imaging an object to produce a reconstructed image; and   second imaging equipment comprising a camera housed in a light-free housing and configured to detect optical signals emitted from the object, the second imaging equipment being further configured to:
 map optical properties of the object to the reconstructed image, the map step yielding mapped optical properties of the object and 
 reconstructing an optical source distribution of the object based at least on the detected optical signals and the mapped optical properties. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the camera is a cooled back-thinned charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first imaging equipment is tomographic X-ray imaging equipment. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second imaging equipment is further configured to detect the optical signals emitted from the object in three dimensions. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second imaging equipment is further configured to detect substantially sequentially the optical signals emitted from the object at multiple angles. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second imaging equipment is further configured to detect sequentially the optical signals emitted from the object at multiple angles of view. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cooled back-thinned CCD camera is in communication with a control element configured to control said camera. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the control element is further configured to control at least one imaging parameter of the cooled back-thinned CCD camera, the at least one imaging parameter comprising one or more of a focus, an exposure time, or an aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical properties comprise at least one of absorption coefficients, indices of refraction, scattering coefficients, or scattering anisotropy. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical source distribution is produced using a radiative transfer equation or an approximation to the radiative transfer equation. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 acquiring first imaging data from an object to produce a reconstructed image of the object;   detecting optical signals emitted from the object;   mapping optical properties of the optical signals from the object to the reconstructed image of the object; and   reconstructing an optical source distribution of the object based at least on the detected optical signals and the mapped optical properties, wherein the optical source distribution is produced using a radiative transfer equation or an approximation to the radiative transfer equation.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the detecting step comprises collecting the optical signals at a plurality of locations arranged on a surface surrounding the object. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the detecting step comprises detecting substantially simultaneously the optical signals emitted from multiple angles of view. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the detecting step comprises detecting sequentially the optical signals emitted from multiple angles of view. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein supplying data for mapping the optical properties of the object to the reconstructed image of the object comprises supplying data for estimating the scattering properties and the optical absorption properties of the object. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus, comprising:
 means for acquiring first imaging data from an object to produce a reconstructed image;   means for detecting optical signals emitted from the object;   means for mapping optical properties of optical signals from the object to the reconstructed image of the object; and   means for reconstructing an optical source distribution of the object based at least on the detected optical signals and the mapped optical properties.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the optical source distribution is produced using a radiative transfer equation or an approximation to the radiative transfer equation. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means for detecting the optical signals emitted from the object comprises means for collecting the optical signals at a plurality of locations arranged on a surface surrounding the object. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising means for rotating the object about at least one axis. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising means for moving the object among a location associated with the means for acquiring first imaging data and a location associated with the means for detecting the optical signals emitted from the object. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical signals are induced by laser. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the optical signals are induced by laser. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the optical signals are induced by laser. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical signals are induced by a beam of electromagnetic waves. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the optical signals are induced by a beam of electromagnetic waves. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the optical signals are induced by a beam of electromagnetic waves.