title: Real-time multichannel imaging framework for endoscopy, catheters, and fixed geometry intraoperative systems.
abstract: To address the need for a clinically applicable intravital optical imaging system, we developed a new hardware and software framework. We demonstrate its utility by applying it to an endoscope-based white light and fluorescent imaging system. The capabilities include acquisition and visualization algorithms that perform registration, segmentation, and histogram-based autoexposure of two imaging channels (full-spectrum white light and near-infrared fluorescence), all in real time. Data are processed and saved as 12-bit files, matching the standards of clinical imaging. Dynamic range is further improved by the evaluation of flux as a quantitative parameter. The above features are demonstrated in a series of in vitro experiments, and the in vivo application is shown with the visualization of fluorescent-labeled vasculature of a mouse peritoneum. The approach may be applied to diverse systems, including handheld devices, fixed geometry intraoperative devices, catheter-based imaging, and multimodal systems.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Rahul A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sheth
authors.forename: Rabi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Upadhyay
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weissleder
authors.forename: Umar
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mahmood
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization; D004724:Endoscopy; D005453:Fluorescence; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008027:Light; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000295:instrumentation; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000601:surgery; D012984:Software