Title :
Chrono-coherent imaging for medicine
Author :
Spears, K.G. ; Serafin, J. ; Bjelkhagen, H.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Chem., Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL, USA
Abstract :
Imaging inside the body with optical wavelengths encounters problems due to light scattering of tissues and other optical distortions. A description is given of chrono-coherent imaging (CCI), a new method for imaging with visible and near-infrared light that uses coherent image formation and subpicosecond timing to remove the time-delayed scattered light. With CCI it is possible to form images in the presence of the overwhelming amount of scattered light that blocks conventional image formation. The coherent image formation process allows the use of long-duration, high-total-energy, and modest-peak-power pulses to overcome scattering losses. CCI is an extension of light-in-flight holography, which combines the properties of short-duration pulses and hologaphy for various measurements of objects and optical wavefronts.<>
Keywords :
laser applications in medicine; patient diagnosis; chrono-coherent imaging; coherent image formation; human body imaging; medical diagnostic imaging; near IR light; optical distortions; optical wavefronts; time-delayed scattered light; tissue light scattering; visible light; Adaptive optics; Biomedical imaging; Biomedical optical imaging; Holographic optical components; Holography; Light scattering; Optical distortion; Optical imaging; Optical scattering; Radiofrequency interference;
Journal_Title :
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine, IEEE