3D CARS image reconstruction and pattern recognition on SHG images

Year: 2012

Authors: Medyukhina A., Vogler N., Latka I., Dietzek B., Cicchi R., Pavone FS., Popp J.

Autors Affiliation: Institute of Photonic Technology Jena, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany;
Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich-Schiller University,Helmholtzweg 4, 07743 Jena, Germany;
European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, University of Florence, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

Abstract: Nonlinear optical imaging techniques based e.g. on coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) or second-harmonic generation (SHG) show great potential for in-vivo investigations of tissue. While the microspectroscopic imaging tools are established, automized data evaluation, i.e. image pattern recognition and automized image classification, of nonlinear optical images still bares great possibilities for future developments towards an objective clinical diagnosis. This contribution details the capability of nonlinear microscopy for both 3D visualization of human tissues and automated discrimination between healthy and diseased patterns using ex-vivo human skin samples. By means of CARS image alignment we show how to obtain a quasi-3D model of a skin biopsy, which allows us to trace the tissue structure in different projections. Furthermore, the potential of automated pattern and organization recognition to distinguish between healthy and keloidal skin tissue is discussed. A first classification algorithm employs the intrinsic geometrical features of collagen, which can be efficiently visualized by SHG microscopy. The shape of the collagen pattern allows conclusions about the physiological state of the skin, as the typical wavy collagen structure of healthy skin is disturbed e.g. in keloid formation. Based on the different collagen patterns a quantitative score characterizing the collagen waviness – and hence reflecting the physiological state of the tissue – is obtained. Further, two additional scoring methods for collagen organization, respectively based on a statistical analysis of the mutual organization of fibers and on FFT, are presented.

Conference title: Photonics Europe 2012
Place: Bruxelles, Belgium

More Information: This work was financially supported by the \’Europaischer Fonds fur Regionale Entwicklung (EFRE)\’, the \’Thuringer Ministerium fur Bildung, Wissenschaft und Kultur\’ (TMBWK , projects: B578-06001, 14.90 HWP and B714-07037), the European network of excellence p4l (photonics4life), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany, within the projects MediCARS and Chemopravent (FKZ: 13N10508 and 13N10774). The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement 228334.
KeyWords: 3D; 3D Visualization; Classification algorithm; Clinical diagnosis; Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering; Collagen structure; Data evaluation; Ex-vivo; Geometrical features; Human skin; Human tissues; Image alignment; Image pattern recognition; In-vivo; Microspectroscopic imaging; Non-linear optical; Nonlinear microscopy; Nonlinear optical imaging; Physiological state; Quasi-3D; Scoring methods; SHG; Skin biopsies; Skin tissue; Tissue structure, Coherent scattering; Collagen; Diagnosis; Geometrical optics; Health care; Image analysis; Image reconstruction; Imaging techniques; Pattern recognition; Photonics; Physiology; Railroad cars; Raman spectroscopy; Three dimensional computer graphics; Tissue; Visualization, Three dimensional
DOI: 10.1117/12.921619

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