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Article
Monte Carlo simulation of the spatial resolution and depth sensitivity of two-dimensional optical imaging of the brain
Journal of Biomedical Optics (2011)
  • Peifang Tian, John Carroll University
  • Anna Devor
  • Sara Sakadžić
  • Anders M. Dale
  • David A. Boas
Abstract
Absorption or fluorescence-based two-dimensional (2-D) optical imaging is widely employed in functional brain imaging. The image is a weighted sum of the real signal from the tissue at different depths. This weighting function is defined as “depth sensitivity.” Characterizing depth sensitivity and spatial resolution is important to better interpret the functional imaging data. However, due to light scattering and absorption in biological tissues, our knowledge of these is incomplete. We use Monte Carlo simulations to carry out a systematic study of spatial resolution and depth sensitivity for 2-D optical imaging methods with configurations typically encountered in functional brain imaging. We found the following: (i) the spatial resolution is <200 >μm for NA ≤0.2 or focal plane depth ≤300 μm. (ii) More than 97% of the signal comes from the top 500 μm of the tissue. (iii) For activated columns with lateral size larger than spatial resolution, changing numerical aperature (NA) and focal plane depth does not affect depth sensitivity. (iv) For either smaller columns or large columns covered by surface vessels, increasing NA and/or focal plane depth may improve depth sensitivity at deeper layers. Our results provide valuable guidance for the optimization of optical imaging systems and data interpretation.
Publication Date
January 24, 2011
Publisher Statement
Peifang Tian ; Anna Devor ; Sava Sakadžić ; Anders M. Dale and David A. Boas "Monte Carlo simulation of the spatial resolution and depth sensitivity of two-dimensional optical imaging of the brain", J. Biomed. Opt. 16(1), 016006 (January 24, 2011). © 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) DOI: 10.1117/1.3533263
Citation Information
Peifang Tian, Anna Devor, Sara Sakadžić, Anders M. Dale, et al.. "Monte Carlo simulation of the spatial resolution and depth sensitivity of two-dimensional optical imaging of the brain" Journal of Biomedical Optics Vol. 16 Iss. 1 (2011)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/peifang_tian/13/