IMAGING OF FLUORESCENCE IN HIGHLY SCATTERING MEDIA

Two one-speed radiation transport equations coupled by a dynamic equat ion for the distribution of fluorophore electronic states are used to model the migration of excitation photons and emitted fluorescence pho tons. The conditions for producing appreciable levels of fluorophore i n the excited state are studied, with the conclusion that minimal satu ration occurs under the conditions applicable to tissue imaging. This simplifies the derivation of the frequency response and of the imaging operator for a time-harmonic excitation source. Several factors known to influence the fluorescence response-the concentration, mean lifeti me and quantum yield of the fluorophore, and the modulation frequency of the excitatory source-are examined. Optimal sensitivity conditions are obtained by analyzing the fluorescence source strength as a functi on of the mean lifetime and modulation frequency. The dependence of de modulation of the fluorescent signal on the above factors is also exam ined. In complementary studies, transport-theory-based operators for i maging fluorophore distributions in a highly scattering medium are der ived. Experimental data were collected by irradiating a cylindrical ph antom containing one or two fluorophore-filled balloons with continuou s wave laser light. The reconstruction results show that qualitatively and quantitatively good images can be obtained, with embedded objects accurately located and the fluorophore concentration correctly determ ined.