Method and Apparatus for Obtaining an Image Indicating Metabolism in a Body

The present invention relates to imaging apparatus for diagnosis use to noninvasively measure a quantitative distribution representative of biological function or metabolism in living body and to display the distribution.

Imaging systems for diagnosis use can be grouped into two types, morphological imaging systems and functional quantity imaging systems. With systems of the former type, we can observe the shape of internal organs or tissues. To supply more clinical informations, several kind systems of the later type are now developed. One example is magnetic resonance spectrum (MRS)-imaging system. It was known that some information on metabolic process in tissue can be obtain by measuring chemical shift of resonant frequency of P.sup.31. Accordingly, many efforts have been made for developing a clinical use MRS imaging system by adapting position mapping methods to the spectroscopic technique of an NMR spectrum analyzer. However, the system has not reached a practical level, because p.sup.31 resonant signals from a living body are very weak, and the measurement time becomes very long to obtain informations for spectroscopic analysis and position mapping.

Another example of imaging systems for obtaining a spatial distribution representative of a biological function in body is suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,645. According to that, in vivo monitoring of oxidative metabolism in an internal organ can be practiced through measurement of hemoglobin oxygenation with detection of near infrar red light transillumination.

In such a in vivo optical monitoring system, is a difficult to obtain a practical level of spacial resolution, because a light beam on a living body is heavily scattered at respective regions or organs in the body. The applicant of the present application proposed a multi-wavelength method for reducing the adverse effect of the light scattering in body, with U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/479,171, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,022, filed Feb. 13, 1990.

To improve the poor resolution of functional distribution imaging systems, it would be useful to prepare a functional distribution imaging system and a morphological imaging system and to compare the picture images from both. However, the resolution of images obtained from prior optical imaging systems for metabolism monitor are too poor to recognize the position correspondence with a morphological image. Further, metabolism distribution data analyzed with prior optical systems is not accurate, because of the adverse effect of light scattering in a body cannot be removed.

A data processing method for obtaining a functional distribution is an iteration method. This method can be applied to oxidative metabolism imaging system. In such a system, light absorption coefficients of respective local areas and light scattering coefficients of respective local areas are defined as variables. Measured light distribution is affected by both attenuation and scattering, and both effects should be accurately analyzed to obtain the oxidative metabolism distribution. When the iteration method is applied for analyzing the both, the data processing time becomes very long, because there are many variables.

One object of the present invention is to provide a system which can obtain an accurate functional distribution.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce data processing time for obtaining an accurate functional distribution.

Still another object of the present invention is to improve spacial resolution of functional distribution imaging systems.

According to the present invention, a morphological imaging means and a functional distribution imaging means are combined together with a common field of view so that measurement with both can be practiced simultaneously or without moving the object to be imaged. In a process for analyzing data from the functional distribution imaging means, the values of at least one variable for respective pixels are determined on the basis of a morphological image obtained with the morphological imaging means.

According to a representative embodiment of the present invention, an X-ray computer tomograph scanner is combined with an optical monitoring system which individually detects lights passing through an object for respective ones of a plurality of light irradiation spots and a plurality of light pickup spots, both are arranged on a surface of the body to be inspected. The section image obtained with the X-ray tomograph scanner is discriminated into regions of individual internal organs or tissues. Each of detected optical data is affected with light scattering coefficient distribution and light absorption coefficient distribution, at each light passing area defined by the positions of the light irradiation spot and light pickup spot. Both of the coefficients are defined as variables in an algorithm calculating the light absorption coefficient distribution. Values or variable ranges of light scattering coefficients of respective pixels are determined on the basis of the discriminated X-ray tomogram image. Through the determination of values or variable ranges, calculation time becomes short and an accurate light absorption coefficient distribution can be obtained.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional View of a main part of the embodiment showing field of view of two imaging systems in the embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a block diagram and a sectional view of other parts of the embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an illustrate showing a light detection system of the embodiment.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are graphical indication of wave forms detected with the light detection system.

FIG. 7 is a picture image obtained with an X-ray CT scanner in the embodiment.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are time charts showing the measurement sequence in the embodiment.

FIG. 9A-FIG. 9E are conceptional diagrams showing data processing operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows the whole structure of an embodiment of the invention. The embodiment includes a morphological data measuring part for obtaining data on morphological image of internal organs or tissues of the body to be inspected, and a functional distribution measuring part for obtaining data on a distribution representative of biological function in the regions of the body. An image reconstructing unit 80 and a display controller 100 are provided commonly to the both parts. The morphological data measuring part employs a measuring principle of X-ray computer tomography scanner (X-ray CT scanner). The X-ray CT scanner includes an X-ray source 3 and an X-ray detector array 1, both mounted on a rotating gantry not shown in FIG. 1. X-ray projection data for respective rotating angles of the gantry is provided to and stored in a X-ray data acquisition unit 70. The functional distribution measuring part employs a measuring principle of optical imaging system which obtains a distribution of a metabolic substance in living body with a spectrophotometric transillumination method (optical CT scanner). The functional distribution measuring part includes an optical couple cap 20 applied to the body to be inspected, a light source system 30, a light detection system 40, a timing controller 50 for controlling the systems 30 and 40, and an optical data acquisition unit 90 for storing measured optical data. Data stored in the both data acquisition units 70 and 90 are subjected to an image reconstructing operation practiced in the image reconstruction unit 80. Image data are applied to the image controller 100, and picture images are displayed on display unit 105. All of the blocks are controlled by a computer 60.

Among the structure, the morphological data measuring part can be displaced by other measuring systems which can obtain image data on an internal section of human body, for example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. Further, the principle of the embodiment can be applied not only to the above mentioned optical CT scanner, but also magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging system (MRS imaging system), biomagnetic (neuromagnetic) imaging system or other systems in which biological function in living body, such as circulation or metabolism can be measured and spacially analyzed.

FIG. 2 shows an external view of the embodiment, which is for monitoring a human head. The optical coupler cap 20 is arranged in a center hole of the main frame 110 of the system. Other blocks shown in FIG. 1 are housed in the main frame 110. The head of a patient lying on a bed 120 is inserted in the center hole of the main frame 110, and the optical coupler cap 20 is settled to the head.

FIG. 3 shows measurement area or field of view of each of the morphological data measuring part and the functional distribution measuring part. The field of view 4 of the morphological data measuring part is determined by the X-ray detection area of X-ray detector array 1 confronting to the X-ray source 3. The optical coupler cap 20 is disposed across the field of view 4. The field of view 5 of the functional distribution measuring part is restricted within the field view 4 of the morphological data measuring part. Thus, the field of view 4 of the morphological data measuring device covers a section of the optical coupler cap 20 and the field of view 5 of the functional distribution measuring device.

FIG. 4A shows the structure of the light source system 30. The light source system includes two LASER units 8-1 and 8-2 which radiate light pulses of respective wavelengths with pulse width shorter than 100 pico second. An irradiation wavelength selector 7 is controlled by light source control 6 to select one of laser lights from the LASER units 8-1 and 8-2. The selected light pulse is lead to rotating mirror 9, and directed to one of optical fibers 12 arrayed in a light distributor 10 in accordance with the angle of the rotating mirror 9. The rotating mirror is driven by a stepping motor controlled by control pulses from the light source controller 6. Thus, light pulses generated at LASER unit 8-1 and 8-2 are sequentially distributed to each of optical fibers 12.

The optical fibers 12 for light irradiation are lead to the optical coupler cap 20, and the ends of respective fibers are aligned along a circular line on the inside surface of the cap 20, as shown in FIG. 4B. Optical fibers 14 for light detection are also aligned along the circular line, and they are lead to light detection system 40. The light radiated from one of optical fiber 12 irradiates the human head in the cap. The light is absorbed and scattered at respective regions or tissues of the head and comes out from the surface of the head. The transmitted lights are picked up at plural positions, and respectively lead to light detection system 40 through the optical fibers 14.

In this embodiment, two wavelengths are alternatively used. One of them is selected to an absorption peak of deoxyhemoglobin (760 nm) and the other is selected to an oxyhemoglobin-deoxyhemoglobin isosbestic point (805 nm). Alternatively, a method of four wavelengths detection can be employed, in which the above mentioned two-wavelengths and wavelengths slightly shifted from the respective ones are used. The four wavelengths detection method is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/479,171, filed Feb. 13, 1990.

FIG. 5 shows structure of light detection system 40. The light detection system 40 is capable of detecting and recoding time-base variation of light quantity (light time spectrum). Lights respectively transmitted through the optical fibers irradiate respective spots 15 on an optical cathod 16 of a streak camera. Electron beams are generated corresponding to the light irradiation, and the beams fly to an anode 18 coated with a fluorescent material. A high frequency deflecting field is generated with deflecting electrode 17, thereby, the beams are swept along y-direction. Thus, time-base variations of light quantities on respective spots are spreaded on the anode 18 and fluorescent line images appears as shown in FIG. 6B. The line images are picked up with a TV camera (not shown) and recorded in a memory, which is included in the light data acquisition unit 90 shown in FIG. 1. Of each of the recoded data, only the data corresponding to a hatching portion in FIG. 6A are selected and integrated for realizing a time gate eliminating stray light.

According to a measurement sequence of the embodiment, a morphological data measurement using X-ray is performed first. The measurement is performed with the optical coupler cap 20 applied to the head of a patient. The cap 20 is made of X-ray permeable materials, such as aluminum and synthetic resin. At least three rod members made of a high X-ray absorption material are buried in the shell of the cap 20. Thereby, a tomogram image 21 of the human head and three position markers 23 appear on an X-ray tomogram image reconstructed in the image reconstruction unit 80 and displayed on a screen of the display unit 105, as shown in FIG. 7. The markers 23 indicate the position of the optical coupler cap 20.

After the measurement using X-ray, a functional distribution measurement using light pulses is performed. To avoid a condition change, it is ideal to practice both measurements at the same time. However, there is no problem associated with practicing both measurements sequentially, because the condition change is negligible. The functional distribution measurement is generally repeated several times to obtain information concerning time-base change of oxidative metabolism. In such a case, the morphological data measurement may be performed again after the repetition of the functional distribution measurement, as indicated in FIG. 8A. When the interval of the repetition is rather long, it is preferable to practice both measurements alternately, as indicated in FIG. 8B.

To obtain one image indicating distribution of light absorption coefficient in a section, transillumination characteristics of the object in many directions should be measured. Accordingly, the selection of optical fibers 12, namely the selection of irradiation spot on the head, is sequentially shifted and the detection of transmitted light pulse at a plurality of light pickup spots is repeated. Through the repetition, data consisting of Ns.Nd numerical values are acquired and stored in the light data acquisition unit 40, where Ns is number of light irradiation spots, and Nd is number of light pickup spots per one time light pulse-transmission.

The algorithm used for image reconstruction in the embodiment is based on a back-projection method, which is disclosed in "Image Reconstruction from Projection" by G. T. Herman, 1979. Further, image reconstruction operation of the embodiment utilizes information from previously obtained morphological image.

At first, the whole imaging area of the previously obtained X-ray tomogram image shown in FIG. 7 is divided into elements of N.M matrix. The elements are corresponding to pixels of the light absorption coefficient distribution image to be derived. Then, positions of all of the light irradiation spots and light pickup spots are calculated using the positions of the markers 23 shown in FIG. 7. Then, an operation of region discrimination is practiced on the X-ray tomogram image to discriminate the image into individual regions of internal tissues such as bone, white matter of brain and gray matter of brain. Automatic region discrimination methods used in three-dimensional indication of internal organs can be employed. A simple method is to discriminate using CT value of each pixel. For example, pixels indicating CT values higher than 1200 are concluded as bone, pixels having CT values between 1100 and 1200 are white matter of brain, and pixels inside of the bone having CT values lower than 1100 are gray matter of brain. Thus, a discriminated head image is derived and stored in a memory.

Then, optical variables for each pixel are defined as s.sub.i and m.sub.i, as shown in FIG. 9A, where s.sub.i is light scattering coefficient, m.sub.i is light absorption coefficient and i is pixel number. Values of some of those optical variables can be assumed from the discriminated X-ray head image and wavelength of light pulse used in optical measurement. Therefore, constant values are determined for these optical variables. For example, when the wavelength is within 600-700 nm, the value m.sub.i for pixels of bone region can be determined as m.sub.i =0. The value s.sub.i for bone region can be determined from the age of the patient. The value s.sub.i for other regions can be determined from respective standard values, which are known by in vitro tests for respective tissues.

Through the operation of the value determination, m.sub.i for pixels of brain remain as variables in image reconstructing operation. The operation uses light measurement data A(k,p) and A.sub.0 (k,p), where A(k,p) is a time-gated integrated value of detected light quantity described before, A.sub.0 (k,p) is integrated value of light quantity detected without insertion of patient's head, k is position number of light irradiation spot, k=1, 2, - - - , and p is position number of light pickup spot, p=1, 2, 3, - - - , for each value of k. FIG. 9B shows positions of the light pickup spots for one of the light irradiation spot k.

Light attenuation X(k,p) of the head for each pair of a light irradiation spot and a light pickup spot is calculated from detected data as follows;

Then, light passing area R(k,p) is defined for each pair a light irradiation spot and a light pickup spot, as shown in FIG. 9C. The shape of the area should be determined in accordance with the width of before mentioned time gate for eliminating stray light. The light attenuation X(k,p) should be given as follows;

where, R denotes a set of pixel number of all of pixels lies in area R(k,p).

Since the values of s.sub.i, i.epsilon.R, are determined from the discriminated X-ray tomogram image, a value Y(k,p) representative of light attenuation only due to light absorption in head can be calculated as follows;

Further, since m.sub. for bone is determined to zero, the calculated values of Y(k,p), (p=1, 2, 3, 4 - - - ) indicate a projection of light absorption coefficient m.sub.i in brain. Such a projection is calculated for respective positions of light irradiation spot, and a data set for reconstructing a light absorption distribution in brain is obtained. Then, an image of the light absorption distribution 140 shown in FIG. 9D is reconstructed through back-projection method. By a proper selection of light wavelengths disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,645, a distribution of hemoglobin oxygenation is obtained. As shown in FIG. 9E, the light absorption distribution 140 and X-ray tomogram image 145 are displayed on a single screen with individual colors.

The algolithm of the embodiment can be summarized as follows:

i) Discriminating a morphological image into individual regions of internal organs or tissues.

ii) Obtaining a plurality of data A.sub.p (p=1, 2, - - - ) through functional distribution measurement. The respective data Ap are effected with distributions of several physical quantities (a, b, c) in respective limited region R.sub.p. The data can be indicated by a function having variables a.sub.i, b.sub.i, c.sub.i, as follows:

iii) Determining the values of variables b.sub.i and c.sub.i by an assumption according to respective standard values of physical quantity b and c for each of internal organs or tissues. Then, the equation (4) becomes as follows:

iv) Calculating values a.sub.i in a determined region from the equation (5) and detected values A.sub.p (p=1, 2, - - - ), to obtain an image of distribution of the variable a.sub.i, which indicating a biological function.

According to the embodiments, the values of some variables are determined to constant values. It is also effective to determine the variable ranges of some variables using a region discriminated morphological image. When more than a particular number of measurement values A.sub.p in equation (4) are given, the variables a.sub.i, b.sub.i and c.sub.i can be obtained by iteration method. However, the operation of iteration method takes a very long time, if none of the variable ranges of the variables a.sub.i, b.sub.i and c.sub.i are known. According to our invention, the variable ranges of some of the variables are limited by using the region discriminated morphological image. Thereby, the solutions of reverse problem can be obtained in shorter time.