title: A higher order diffusion model for three-dimensional photon migration and image reconstruction in optical tomography.
abstract: In this work, we derived three-dimensional simplified spherical harmonics approximated higher order diffusion equations. We also solved the higher order diffusion equations using a finite element method and compared the solutions from the first-order diffusion equation and Monte Carlo simulations. We found that the conducted model is able to improve the first-order diffusion solution in a transport-like homogeneous or heterogeneous medium. Reconstructed images based on the higher order diffusion model are also presented. We conclude that the developed higher order diffusion model is able to accurately describe light propagation in biological tissues and to offer improved image reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Xin-Hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Huabei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016880:Anisotropy; D004058:Diffusion; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000166:cytology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009038:Motion; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D017785:Photons; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D041622:Tomography, Optical / Q000379:methods*