Experimental images of heterogeneous turbid media by frequency-domain diffusing-photon tomography

Abstract

We present images of heterogeneous turbid media derived from measurements of diffuse photon-density waves traveling through highly scattering tissue phantoms. To our knowledge, the images are the first experimental reconstruction based on data collected in the frequency domain. We demonstrate images of both absorbing and scattering heterogeneities and show that this method is sensitive to the optical properties of the heterogeneity. The algorithm employs a differential measurement scheme that reduces the effect of errors resulting from incorrect estimation of the background optical properties. The relative advantages of sources with low and high modulation frequency are discussed within this context.