A prototype multichannel time-resolved medical optical tomography system is
presented, and various instrumental aspects and performance issues are dis
cussed. The instrument has been designed primarily as a continuous bedside
monitor for obtaining functional images of premature infants' brains that a
re at an increased risk of injury due to dysfunction in cerebral oxygenatio
n or hemodynamics. Separate maps of the internal absorption and scattering
properties can be reconstructed from purely temporal measurements of photon
s transmitted diffusely through the tissue, and without recourse to referen
ce or baseline measurements. The instrument employs 32 source fibers that s
equentially deliver near-infrared pulsed laser radiation of picosecond dura
tion. Transit time measurements of very high temporal resolution and stabil
ity are made between these sources and 32 detector optodes that are located
on the surface. The effectiveness of this instrument is demonstrated by su
ccessfully imaging a tissue-equivalent phantom. (C) 2000 American Institute
of Physics. [S0034-6748(00)02001-3].