Application of synchrotron source based DEI method in guinea pig cochleae imaging

Hard X-ray diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI), which is based on a synchrotron source and monochromator-analyzer-crystal system, is an effective method for imaging X-ray phase shift. Utilizing an analyzer crystal with high angular sensitivity of micro-radian, DEI can measure the transmitted, refracted and scattered X-rays when projecting onto a sample. It dramatically improves the contrast and spatial resolution of the resultant images. At the topography station of Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facilities (BSRF), we implemented DEI method in guinea pig cochleae imaging and acquired a series of DEI images. Based on these images, the apparent absorption and refraction images were calculated. The DEI images revealed the holistic spiral structures and inner details of guinea pig cochleae clearly, even including the structures at the cellular level, such as the static cilia of hairy cells and the limbus of Hansen cell. Due to the advantages of high contrast, high spatial resolution and distinct edge-enhanced effect, DEI method promises extensive applications in biology, medicine and clinic in the near future.     

Information extraction and CT reconstruction of liver images based on diffraction enhanced imaging

X-ray phase-contrast imaging (PCI) is a new emerging imaging technique that generates a high spatial resolution and high contrast of biological soft tissues compared to conventional radiography. Herein a biomedical application of diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI) is presented. As one of the PCI methods, DEI derives contrast from many different kinds of sample information, such as the sample's X-ray absorption, refraction gradient and ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) properties, and the sample information is expressed by three parametric images. Combined with computed tomography (CT), DEI-CT can produce 3D volumetric images of the sample and can be used for investigating micro-structures of biomedical samples. Our DEI experiments for liver samples were implemented at the topography station of Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility (BSRF). The results show that by using our provided information extraction method and DEI-CT reconstruction approach, the obtained parametric images clearly display the inner structures of liver tissues and the morphology of blood vessels. Furthermore, the reconstructed 3D view of the liver blood vessels exhibits the micro blood vessels whose minimum diameter is on the order of about tens of microns, much better than its conventional CT reconstruction at a millimeter resolution. In conclusion, both the information extraction method and DEI-CT have the potential for use in biomedical micro-structures analysis.     

Hard X-ray diffraction enhanced imaging only using two crystals

Different configurations for the monochromator crystals and the analyzer crystals have been used in hard X-ray diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI) methods to overcome the complex task to adjust each of them to the ideal position. Here we present a very compact DEI configuration, and preliminary results of experiments performed at the Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility (BSRF) using only two crystals: the first one acting as monochromator and the second one as analyzer in the Bragg geometry. Refraction contrast images characterized by high contrast and spatial resolution are obtained and compared with absorption images. Differences among these images will be outlined and discussed emphasizing the potential capabilities of this very simple layout that guarantees a high transmission efficiency.     

Schmidt和Angel结构的龙虾眼X射线成像系统性能对比研究

Schmidt型和Angel型的X射线成像系统通过仿生龙虾眼睛微通道结构实现全反射聚焦成像,相比传统的X射线成像方式,具有大视场、高空间分辨率和能量获取能力。研究两个龙虾眼基础结构模型,根据X射线掠入射反射理论,分析对比了Angel和Schmidt结构光线入射焦面时的分布和空间分辨率,并用tracepro软件建立模型仿真验证了两种结构龙虾眼在聚焦和成像时的接收光/发射光、最大值/十字臂、最大值/本底、十字臂/本底多个性能参数。理论分析和仿真结果表明,当龙虾眼透镜焦距较长和通道长宽比大约为50时,由于多次反射时的聚焦及成像,Schmidt模型比Angel模型的信噪比等主要参数高,空间分辨率低;当龙虾眼透镜焦距较短和通道长宽比大约为10时,由于单次反射时的聚焦及成像,Schmidt模型比Angel模型的信噪比等主要参数低,空间分辨率几乎一样。     

Lensless imaging of magnetic nanostructures by X-ray spectro-holography

Our knowledge of the structure of matter is largely based on X-ray diffraction studies of periodic structures and the successful transformation (inversion) of the diffraction patterns into real-space atomic maps. But the determination of non-periodic nanoscale structures by X-rays is much more difficult. Inversion of the measured diffuse X-ray intensity patterns suffers from the intrinsic loss of phase information, and direct imaging methods are limited in resolution by the available X-ray optics. Here we demonstrate a versatile technique for imaging nanostructures, based on the use of resonantly tuned soft X-rays for scattering contrast and the direct Fourier inversion of a holographically formed interference pattern. Our implementation places the sample behind a lithographically manufactured mask with a micrometre-sized sample aperture and a nanometre-sized hole that defines a reference beam. As an example, we have used the resonant X-ray magnetic circular dichroism effect to image the random magnetic domain structure in a Co/Pt multilayer film with a spatial resolution of 50 nm. Our technique, which is a form of Fourier transform holography, is transferable to a wide variety of specimens, appears scalable to diffraction-limited resolution, and is well suited for ultrafast single-shot imaging with coherent X-ray free-electron laser sources.     

基于Gd的造影剂在T1加权MRI上的研究进展

磁共振成像(MRI)由于具有较深的组织穿透能力和高的空间分辨率,已成为临床医学常规使用的诊断工具之一.MRI造影剂能有效提高病灶区域和周围组织的对比度,被广泛应用于MRI医疗诊断.基于Gd的MRI造影剂,由于其能最大程度地加速纵向弛豫,产生更明亮的图像,使得该类造影剂被科研工作者不断开发和研究.综述了Gd造影剂在T1加权MRI上的最新研究进展.     

Magnetic resonance imaging based volumetry:a primary approach to unravelling the brain

Magnetic resonance(MR)imaging based volumetry is recognized as an important technique for studying the brain.In this review,two principle volumetric methods using high resolution MR images were introduced,namely the Cavalieri method and the voxel based morphometry(VBM).The Cavalieri method represents a manual technique that allows the volume of brain structures to be estimated efficiently with no systematic error or sampling bias,whereby the VBM represents an automated image analysis which involves the use of statistical parametric mapping of the MR imaging data.Both methods have been refined and applied extensively in recent neuro- science research.The present paper aims to describe the development of methodologies and also to update the knowledge of their applica- tions in studying the normal and diseased brain.     

Subpixel imaging method with area-array CCD sensors and experiment

A novel high resolution imaging technique—subpixel imaging with area-array CCD sensors—is presented. The imaging method is practical as demonstrated by the computer simulation and experimental results. It is useful to reduce the effective focal length and enhance the spatial resolution. As there are no moving elements, the subpixel imaging system will be suitable for space application.     

基于全变差正则化的压缩感知毫米波成像方法

毫米波成像技术在人体安检领域有着重要的应用,它采用合成孔径雷达成像原理、宽带信号扫描方式实现三维高分辨率成像。针对其采集空域和频域数据冗余造成的信息和成本浪费问题,提出了在三维毫米波全息成像算法的基础上,采用一种傅里叶操作算子化的频率测量方法,从而实现压缩感知稀疏成像。同时依据成像场景,取图像差分域先验信息,引入了第三维频率维稀疏先验,利用三维全变差L1范数正则化方法将图像重构。实验通过真实回波数据成像效果的展示,证明了拥有高分辨率的三维毫米波图像恢复效果优异,并且与二维全变差正则化方法相比,三维全变差正则化方法重构的图像效果更佳,从而证明了所提方法的有效性。     

Tomographic imaging using the nonlinear response of magnetic particles

The use of contrast agents and tracers in medical imaging has a long history. They provide important information for diagnosis and therapy, but for some desired applications, a higher resolution is required than can be obtained using the currently available medical imaging techniques. Consider, for example, the use of magnetic tracers in magnetic resonance imaging: detection thresholds for in vitro and in vivo imaging are such that the background signal from the host tissue is a crucial limiting factor. A sensitive method for detecting the magnetic particles directly is to measure their magnetic fields using relaxometry; but this approach has the drawback that the inverse problem (associated with transforming the data into a spatial image) is ill posed and therefore yields low spatial resolution. Here we present a method for obtaining a high-resolution image of such tracers that takes advantage of the nonlinear magnetization curve of small magnetic particles. Initial 'phantom' experiments are reported that demonstrate the feasibility of the imaging method. The resolution that we achieve is already well below 1 mm. We evaluate the prospects for further improvement, and show that the method has the potential to be developed into an imaging method characterized by both high spatial resolution as well as high sensitivity.     

Imaging ultrafast molecular dynamics with laser-induced electron diffraction

Establishing the structure of molecules and solids has always had an essential role in physics, chemistry and biology. The methods of choice are X-ray and electron diffraction, which are routinely used to determine atomic positions with sub-?ngstr?m spatial resolution. Although both methods are currently limited to probing dynamics on timescales longer than a picosecond, the recent development of femtosecond sources of X-ray pulses and electron beams suggests that they might soon be capable of taking ultrafast snapshots of biological molecules and condensed-phase systems undergoing structural changes. The past decade has also witnessed the emergence of an alternative imaging approach based on laser-ionized bursts of coherent electron wave packets that self-interrogate the parent molecular structure. Here we show that this phenomenon can indeed be exploited for laser-induced electron diffraction (LIED), to image molecular structures with sub-?ngstr?m precision and exposure times of a few femtoseconds. We apply the method to oxygen and nitrogen molecules, which on strong-field ionization at three mid-infrared wavelengths (1.7, 2.0 and 2.3?μm) emit photoelectrons with a momentum distribution from which we extract diffraction patterns. The long wavelength is essential for achieving atomic-scale spatial resolution, and the wavelength variation is equivalent to taking snapshots at different times. We show that the method has the sensitivity to measure a 0.1?? displacement in the oxygen bond length occurring in a time interval of ～5?fs, which establishes LIED as a promising approach for the imaging of gas-phase molecules with unprecedented spatio-temporal resolution.     

合肥光源X射线成像光束线和实验站设计

在X射线成像光束线光学系统的设计基础上,对光束线的能量分辨率和光子通量进行了计算,并对双晶单色器第一块晶体的热载影响进行了模拟分析,同时利用波带片成像技术对实验站进行了设计,达到了60 nm的空间分辨率.结果表明光束线和实验站的设计能够满足X射线成像实验所需条件的要求.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of a single cell

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging is now an established tool in clinical imaging and competes favourably with conventional X-ray computerized tomography (CT) scanning. The drive behind NMR imaging has primarily been in the area of whole-body imaging, which has been limited clinically to fields of up to 1.5 T (60 MHz). It is recognized that there may be substantial advantages in obtaining images with sub-millimetre spatial resolution. Also, there may be benefits to imaging at higher fields, since the signal increases as the square of the magnetic field. Using a modified 9.5 T 89-mm-bore high-resolution NMR spectrometer, we have now obtained the first NMR images of a single cell, demonstrating the advent of the NMR imaging microscope. The NMR microscope is expected to have considerable impact in the areas of biology, medicine and materials science, and may serve as a precursor to obtaining such resolutions on human subjects.     

一种新型X射线安检图像增强算法

针对X射线安检图像噪声大、对比度低和边缘不清晰等特点,提出一种基于对比度受限自适应直方图均衡化(CLAHE)变换和图像灰度最大值融合的双重能量X射线图像增强算法。首先,应用CLAHE变换分别对高能和低能X射线图像分别进行处理得到初步增强结果;然后采用空域灰度值最大融合算法融合经过CLAHE变换后的高能和低能X射线图像从而得到最终增强X射线图像。实验结果表明该算法能更有效地提高双重能量X射线图像的对比度,显著改善图像质量。     

光学微扫描显微热成像系统超分辨力图像处理方法研究

为提高已研制光学微扫描显微热成像系统的空间分辨力,基于改进的频域图像配准技术和凸集投影超分辨力算法,提出了显微热成像系统光学微扫描超分辨力图像处理方法。给出了该方法的原理及步骤,采用不同重构方法行了仿真研究,给出了评价参数和结论。利用光学微扫描显微热成像系统采集低分辨力显微热图像序列进行了超分辨力处理实验,实验结果表明本文提出方法的有效性,光学微扫描显微热成像系统的空间分辨力得到提高从而可满足需要高分辨力显微热分析的场合。该方法还可以应用于其它不可控光学微扫描成像系统中,具有广泛的应用前景。     

逆合成孔径成像激光雷达系统设计

微波波段逆合成孔径雷达的成像分辨率受到发射信号带宽的限制,在对远距离目标、微小目标成像或提取目标精细微动特征时已不能提供足够高的距离分辨率.为解决这一问题,提出一种新体制雷达--逆合成孔径成像激光雷达,将逆合成孔径技术应用于激光波段,利用激光信号的极大带宽和极短波长实现对运动目标的超高分辨实时成像.分析了逆合成孔径成像激光雷达的高分辨原理,并结合激光信号和运动目标的特点,给出了雷达系统的初步设计方案.仿真实验证明:与利用微波信号成像的逆合成孔径雷达相比,逆合成孔径成像激光雷达能够实现对运动目标更快速、更高分辨的成像.     

显微热成像系统帧间差分过采样重构研究

基于泰勒级数展开,提出帧间差分过采样重构法,解决光学微扫描显微热成像系统微扫描高分辨力过采样图像的问题.该方法基于非标准2×2微扫描欠采样图像Y,求出图像间的微位移得到校正矩阵A-1,由X=A-1Y得到标准2×2微扫描欠采样图像X后进行过采样重构.结果表明,该方法优于直接过采样法和双线性放大法,分辨的细节更多,可有效提高系统的空间分辨力;且处理算法简单,计算量小,可实现快速处理.     

基于加权因子的双重延时乘累加波束形成算法

针对超声成像中双重延时乘累加算法不适用于高噪声环境的问题,提出一种基于均值-标准差加权因子的双重延时乘累加算法,即RD-DMAS算法.该加权因子对解决高噪声带来的图像斑点问题具有显著效果,而双重延时乘累加波束形成算法能大幅提高超声成像分辨率,使所提算法能得到高分辨率和高对比度的重建图像.对该算法在点散射目标仿体、囊肿仿...     

二维井间电磁场的正反演计算

提出了一种改进的逐次逼近解法 ,并用该方法对轴对称二维井间电磁场进行了正反演计算。与逐次逼近解法相比 ,该方法收敛性强 ,应用范围广 ,可适用于高电导率对比地层。与直接求解积分方程相比 ,由于不必进行直接的大型复矩阵求逆运算 ,该方法计算速度快 ,所需内存少。反演中采用了Born迭代算法 ,将成像区域集中于一定范围内。考虑到信息量和计算机内存的限制 ,采用双重面元分割法 ,将反演区域分割为一定数目的大面元 ,每个大面元被分割为几个小面元。属于同一大面元的不同小面元具有不同的磁矢势 ,但具有相同的电导率 ,从而减少了反演过程中未知量的数目。根据第一次成像结果确定出更准确的成像范围 ,并进行第二次成像。数值计算结果表明 ,改进的逐次逼近解法是计算二维井间电磁场的一种有效方法 ,将该方法用于反演过程能够得到较高分辨率的二维井间电导率图像。     

基于分子间多量子相干的三维磁共振成像模拟

核磁共振中的分子间多量子相干信号源自远程偶极相互作用．基于分子间多量子相干的成像信号能提供一种新的对比度机理．为了快速、高效地模拟和研究该对比度机理，本文运用如下算法：先对磁共振信号在实空间进行傅立叶变换．从而将磁化量从实空间变换至k空间．计算远程偶极场和扩散效应．然后将其变换回实空间来处理化学位移和弛豫等参数．研究结果表明：此算法可以准确反映三维结构样品中的偶极场效应．并且验证了由此产生的分子间多量子相干信号能够有效地提高磁共振成像的对比度．