Three-Dimensional Quantitative Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging

Sammanfattning: Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) is an up-and-coming optical technique for in vivo imaging of beta-emitting radioisotopes. CLI relies on measurements of the Cerenkov radiation emitted when high-energy beta-particles travel through tissue. Compared to the well-established methods for radionuclide imaging, SPECT and PET, CLI has a potentially higher throughput for superficial measurements. The detection device used for CLI, usually a CCD, is in general cheaper and more flexible than the gamma cameras required for SPECT and PET. As the Cerenkov radiation is emitted in the UV-NIR range the imaging capabilities of CLI is however very depth limited. In this work a forward model for the emission and propagation of Cerenkov radiation induced by beta-particles originating from radioactive decay is presented. From the forward model an inverse model for the reconstruction of the radioisotope’s distribution is formulated. The models has been tested with both simulated data and measurements from in vitro phantom studies. Good results has been observed for the forward model as well as reconstructions based on simulated data. Reconstruction from the experimental measurements has however proven difficult.