Computational model of optical scattering by elastin in lung

Tristan B. Swedish; Joseph P. Robinson; Maricris R. Silva; Andrew Gouldstone; David Kaeli; Charles A. DiMarzio

doi:10.1117/12.875707

11 February 2011 Computational model of optical scattering by elastin in lung

Tristan B. Swedish, Joseph P. Robinson, Maricris R. Silva, Andrew Gouldstone, David Kaeli, Charles A. DiMarzio

Proceedings Volume 7904, Three-Dimensional and Multidimensional Microscopy: Image Acquisition and Processing XVIII; 79040H (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.875707
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2011, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Little is understood about the detailed micromechanical properties of lung in vivo. Attempts to improve imaging are hampered by heterogeneity of the tissue. One common ex vivo technique is optical coherence tomography (OCT). Simulated OCT with a Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) computer model elucidates the relationship between captured images and the physical geometry of the lung. Parallel computation and improved processing power make accurate coherent imaging models feasible. A previous FDTD model of pulsed laser wave propagation in the lung produced images that displayed many of the properties of experimental images. The model was improved with the addition of elastin and increased computational volume. Elastin plays an important role in the simulation because the combination of its fibrous structure and high index of refraction acts as an excellent scatterer of light. This strong scattering increases the signal reported by the simulated OCT scan in areas where elastin is most abundant, improving visualization of the structure as more light is reflected back from the heterogeneous elastin network. However, scattering by elastin decreases the depth of penetration and leads to images that are more difficult to interpret. Gaining a better understanding of how lung structures affect light propagation will lead to improved signal processing, instrumentation, and the development of new probing techniques. This image modeling technique can also be applied to other imaging modalities such as confocal and other laser scanning methods.

Citation Download Citation

Tristan B. Swedish, Joseph P. Robinson, Maricris R. Silva, Andrew Gouldstone, David Kaeli, and Charles A. DiMarzio "Computational model of optical scattering by elastin in lung", Proc. SPIE 7904, Three-Dimensional and Multidimensional Microscopy: Image Acquisition and Processing XVIII, 79040H (11 February 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.875707

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