Yan Z Y, Huang W X, Huang Q Q, et al. Research progress of terahertz medical imaging[J]. Opto-Electron Eng, 2020, 47(5): 190721. doi: 10.12086/oee.2020.190721
Citation: Yan Z Y, Huang W X, Huang Q Q, et al. Research progress of terahertz medical imaging[J]. Opto-Electron Eng, 2020, 47(5): 190721. doi: 10.12086/oee.2020.190721

Research progress of terahertz medical imaging

More Information
  • Terahertz wave has non-destructive nature and fingerprint characteristics for a large number of biomolecules, thus has a good application prospect in the field of medical imaging. In this review, we presented a brief introduction on the terahertz medical imaging systems, and the applications of terahertz medical imaging in biological tissues from in vitro to in vivo. Terahertz wave can be strongly absorbed by water, then the terahertz imaging contrast will be severely deteriorated in vivo. So the terahertz medical imaging was mainly used for detecting epidermal tissues or biological tissues with pretreatments, including excision, dehydration and so on. This review also concluded the recent development of nanoparticle contrast agents for improving the contrast of terahertz imaging in vivo. Finally, the future development of terahertz medical imaging was predicted.
  • 加载中
  • [1] Yu C, Fan S T, Sun Y W, et al. The potential of terahertz imaging for cancer diagnosis: a review of investigations to date[J]. Quant Imaging Med Surg, 2012, 2(1): 33-45.

    Google Scholar

    [2] Fan S T, He Y Z, Ung B S, et al. The growth of biomedical terahertz research[J]. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 2014, 47(37): 374009. doi: 10.1088/0022-3727/47/37/374009

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [3] Kawase K, Ogawa Y, Watanabe Y, et al. Non-destructive terahertz imaging of illicit drugs using spectral fingerprints[J]. Optics Express, 2003, 11(20): 2549-2554. doi: 10.1364/OE.11.002549

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [4] Bowman T C, El-Shenawee M, Campbell L K. Terahertz imaging of excised breast tumor tissue on paraffin sections[J]. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 2015, 63(5): 2088-2097. doi: 10.1109/TAP.2015.2406893

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [5] Rong L, Latychevskaia T, Chen C H, et al. Terahertz in-line digital holography of human hepatocellular carcinoma tissue[J]. Scientific Reports, 2015, 5: 8445. doi: 10.1038/srep08445

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [6] Bowman T, El-Shenawee M, Campbell L K. Terahertz transmission vs reflection imaging and model-based characterization for excised breast carcinomas[J]. Biomedical Optics Express, 2016, 7(9): 3756-3783. doi: 10.1364/BOE.7.003756

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [7] Wahaia F, Kasalynas I, Venckevicius R, et al. Terahertz absorption and reflection imaging of carcinoma-affected colon tissues embedded in paraffin[J]. Journal of Molecular Structure, 2016, 1107: 214-219. doi: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2015.11.048

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [8] Ji Y B, Lee E S, Kim S H, et al. A miniaturized fiber-coupled terahertz endoscope system[J]. Optics Express, 2009, 17(19): 17082-17087. doi: 10.1364/OE.17.017082

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [9] Oh S J, Kim S H, Jeong K, et al. Measurement depth enhancement in terahertz imaging of biological tissues[J]. Optics Express, 2013, 21(18): 21299-21305. doi: 10.1364/OE.21.021299

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [10] Oh S J, Kang J, Maeng I, et al. Nanoparticle-enabled terahertz imaging for cancer diagnosis[J]. Optics Express, 2009, 17(5): 3469-3475. doi: 10.1364/OE.17.003469

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [11] Lee D K, Kim H, Kim T, et al. Characteristics of gadolinium oxide nanoparticles as contrast agents for terahertz imaging[J]. Journal of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves, 2011, 32(4): 506-512. doi: 10.1007/s10762-011-9776-7

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [12] Zhang R, Zhang L L, Wu T, et al. Contrast-enhanced continuous-terahertz-wave imaging based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications[J]. Optics Express, 2016, 24(8): 7915-7921. doi: 10.1364/OE.24.007915

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [13] Huang Q Q, Zou Y, Zhong S C, et al. Silica-coated gold nanorods with high photothermal efficiency and biocompatibility as a contrast agent for in vitro terahertz imaging[J]. Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology, 2019, 15(5): 910-920. doi: 10.1166/jbn.2019.2738

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [14] Hu B B, Nuss M C. Imaging with terahertz waves[J]. Optics Letters, 1995, 20(16): 1716-1718. doi: 10.1364/OL.20.001716

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [15] Wu L M, Xu D G, Wang Y Y, et al. Study of in vivo brain glioma in a mouse model using continuous-wave terahertz reflection imaging[J]. Biomedical Optics Express, 2019, 10(8): 3953-3962. doi: 10.1364/BOE.10.003953

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [16] Mahon R J, Murphy J A, Lanigan W. Digital holography at millimetre wavelengths[J]. Optics Communications, 2006, 260(2): 469-473. doi: 10.1016/j.optcom.2005.11.024

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [17] Mitchell H H, Hamilton T S, Steggerda F R, et al. The chemical composition of the adult human body and its bearing on the biochemistry of growth[J]. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1945, 158(3): 625-637.

    Google Scholar

    [18] Crawley D A, Longbottom C, Wallace V P, et al. Three-dimensional terahertz pulse imaging of dental tissue[J]. Journal of Biomedical Optics, 2003, 8(2): 303-307. doi: 10.1117/1.1559059

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [19] Bennett D B, Taylor Z D, Tewari P, et al. Terahertz sensing in corneal tissues[J]. Journal of Biomedical Optics, 2011, 16(5): 057003. doi: 10.1117/1.3575168

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [20] Tseng T F, Yang S C, Shih Y T, et al. Near-field sub-THz transmission-type image system for vessel imaging in-vivo[J]. Optics Express, 2015, 23(19): 25058-25071. doi: 10.1364/OE.23.025058

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [21] Fan S T, Ung B S Y, Parrott E P J, et al. In vivo terahertz reflection imaging of human scars during and after the healing process[J]. Journal of Biophotonics, 2017, 10(9): 1143-1151. doi: 10.1002/jbio.201600171

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [22] Cassar Q, Al-Ibadi A, Mavarani L, et al. Pilot study of freshly excised breast tissue response in the 300 - 600 GHz range[J]. Biomedical Optics Express, 2018, 9(7): 2930-2942. doi: 10.1364/BOE.9.002930

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [23] Kolesnikov A S, Kolesnikova E A, Popov A P, et al. In vitro terahertz monitoring of muscle tissue dehydration under the action of hyperosmotic agents[J]. Quantum Electronics, 2014, 44(7): 633-640. doi: 10.1070/QE2014v044n07ABEH015493

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [24] Stylianou A, Talias M A. Nanotechnology-supported THz medical imaging[J]. F1000Research, 2013, 2(1): 100.

    Google Scholar

    [25] Lee K, Jeoung K, Kim S H, et al. Measuring water contents in animal organ tissues using terahertz spectroscopic imaging[J]. Biomedical Optics Express, 2018, 9(4): 1582-1589. doi: 10.1364/BOE.9.001582

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [26] Wallace V P, Fitzgerald A J, Shankar S, et al. Terahertz pulsed imaging of basal cell carcinoma ex vivo and in vivo[J]. British Journal of Dermatology, 2004, 151(2): 424-432. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.06129.x

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [27] Fitzgerald A J, Wallace V P, Jimenez-Linan M, et al. Terahertz pulsed imaging of human breast tumors[J]. Radiology, 2006, 239(2): 533-540. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2392041315

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [28] Ashworth P C, Pickwell-MacPherson E, Provenzano E, et al. Terahertz pulsed spectroscopy of freshly excised human breast cancer[J]. Optics Express, 2009, 17(15): 12444-12454. doi: 10.1364/OE.17.012444

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [29] Oh S J, Kim S H, Ji Y B, et al. Study of freshly excised brain tissues using terahertz imaging[J]. Biomedical Optics Express, 2014, 5(8): 2837-2842. doi: 10.1364/BOE.5.002837

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [30] Ji Y B, Oh S J, Kang S G, et al. Terahertz reflectometry imaging for low and high grade gliomas[J]. Scientific Reports, 2016, 6: 36040. doi: 10.1038/srep36040

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [31] Tewari P, Bajwa N, Singh R S, et al. In vivo terahertz imaging of rat skin burns[J]. Journal of Biomedical Optics, 2012, 17(4): 040503. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.17.4.040503

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [32] Arbab M H, Winebrenner D P, Dickey T C, et al. Terahertz spectroscopy for the assessment of burn injuries in vivo[J]. Journal of Biomedical Optics, 2013, 18(7): 077004. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.18.7.077004

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [33] Sim Y C, Park J Y, Ahn K M, et al. Terahertz imaging of excised oral cancer at frozen temperature[J]. Biomedical Optics Express, 2013, 4(8): 1413-1421. doi: 10.1364/BOE.4.001413

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [34] Oh S J, Maeng I, Shin H J, et al. Nanoparticle contrast agents for Terahertz medical imaging[C]//Proceedings of the 2008 33rd International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter and Terahertz Waves, 2008: 1-2.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4665813/

    Google Scholar

    [35] Oh S J, Choi J, Maeng I, et al. High-sensitivity terahertz imaging technique using nanoparticle probes for medical applications[C]//Proceedings of 2010 IEEE Photonics Society Winter Topicals Meeting Series, 2010: 52-53.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/5421967/?denied=

    Google Scholar

    [36] Oh S J, Choi J, Maeng I, et al. Molecular imaging with terahertz waves[J]. Optics Express, 2011, 19(5): 4009-4016. doi: 10.1364/OE.19.004009

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [37] Oh S J, Huh Y M, Suh J S, et al. Cancer diagnosis by terahertz molecular imaging technique[J]. Journal of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves, 2012, 33(1): 74-81. doi: 10.1007/s10762-011-9847-9

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [38] Cristian C R, Thomas S, Vasile D, et al. Research on functionalized gadolinium oxide nanoparticles for MRI and THz imaging[C]//Proceedings of 2018 International Conference and Exposition on Electrical And Power Engineering (EPE), 2018: 646-649.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329616698_Research_on_Functionalized_Gadolinium_Oxide_Nanoparticles_for_MRI_and_THz_Imaging

    Google Scholar

    [39] Park J Y, Choi H J, Nam G E, et al. In vivo dual-modality terahertz/magnetic resonance imaging using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as a dual contrast agent[J]. IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology, 2012, 2(1): 93-98. doi: 10.1109/TTHZ.2011.2177174

    CrossRef Google Scholar

    [40] Bowman T, Walter A, Shenderova O, et al. A phantom study of terahertz spectroscopy and imaging of micro- and nano-diamonds and nano-onions as contrast agents for breast cancer[J]. Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express, 2017, 3(5): 055001.

    Google Scholar

    [41] El-Shenawee M, Vohra N, Bowman T, et al. Cancer detection in excised breast tumors using terahertz imaging and spectroscopy[J]. Biomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging, 2019, 8(1-2): 1-9. doi: 10.3233/BSI-190187

    CrossRef Google Scholar

  • Overview: Terahertz, ranging from 0.1 THz to 10 THz, is situated in the frequency regime between optical and electronic techniques. Recently, with the rapid development of terahertz technology, it is widely applied in several fields such as material science, physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine. Due to the unique characteristics including low photon energy, excellent penetration ability through non-conducting materials and distinctive molecular fingerprints identification, terahertz medical imaging has become a promising imaging modality to date. It has been a significantly complementary medical imaging method, compared to other methods like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed X-ray tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET). And there has been an increasing interest in terahertz imaging for medical applications within the last few years, meanwhile, more and more terahertz imaging studies are being reported. In this review, we present a brief introduction on the terahertz imaging systems, and the applications of terahertz medical imaging from in vitro to in vivo. The essential mechanisms of terahertz medical imaging are based on the differences in water content and structural variations of tissues. But the abundant water in living tissues will strongly absorb terahertz wave, and lead to severely deteriorated imaging contrast. As a result, the terahertz medical imaging is mainly used in vitro or epidermal tissues. In most cases, the in vitro tissues should be pretreated with the processes including frozen sections, paraffin sections and so on. Many tissues have been studied by terahertz medical imaging in both human and animal models. Particularly, cancerous tissues of digestive system, reproductive system, integumentary system and respiratory system are focused. Brain, liver, breast tumors, for example, have been studied after different pretreatments. Fresh tissues directly excised from these tumors are also utilized to assess both water content and structural variations. While applied in vivo, skins are the main detected projects due to the penetration limit caused by water. In addition, some other methods have also been proposed to promote the application of terahertz medical imaging in the living body, such as endoscopy and penetration enhancing agents. Particularly, the nanoparticles contrast agents for terahertz medical imaging have been developed recently. This review concluded investigation of these contrast agents, including gold nanorods, gadolinium oxide nanoparticles, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. It seems that these contrast agents could enhance the imaging contrast largely, and would promote the application of terahertz medical imaging in vivo. Finally, the future development of terahertz medical imaging is prospected.

  • 加载中
通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com
  • 1. 

    沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院 沈阳 110142

  1. 本站搜索
  2. 百度学术搜索
  3. 万方数据库搜索
  4. CNKI搜索

Figures(15)

Tables(1)

Article Metrics

Article views(10445) PDF downloads(3739) Cited by(0)

Access History
Article Contents

Catalog

    /

    DownLoad:  Full-Size Img  PowerPoint