Fully three-dimensional sound speed-corrected multi-wavelength photoacoustic breast tomography

Photoacoustic tomography is a contrast agent-free imaging technique capable of visualizing blood vessels and tumor-associated vascularization in breast tissue. While sophisticated breast imaging systems have been recently developed, there is yet much to be gained in imaging depth, image quality and tissue characterization capability before clinical translation is possible. In response, we have developed a hybrid photoacoustic and ultrasound-transmission tomographic system PAM3. The photoacoustic component has for the first time three-dimensional multi-wavelength imaging capability, and implements substantial technical advancements in critical hardware and software sub-systems. The ultrasound component enables for the first time, a three-dimensional sound speed map of the breast to be incorporated in photoacoustic reconstruction to correct for inhomogeneities, enabling accurate target recovery. The results demonstrate the deepest photoacoustic breast imaging to date namely 48 mm, with a more uniform field of view than hitherto, and an isotropic spatial resolution that rivals that of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The in vivo performance achieved, and the diagnostic value of interrogating angiogenesis-driven optical contrast as well as tumor mass sound speed contrast, gives confidence in the system's clinical potential.Comment: 33 pages Main Body, 9 pages Supplementary Materia

Title on accompanying DVD: Building better communities : Ball State University Legislative Request 2003-2005

This DVD is an important step in Ball State University's technological history. In previous years, Ball State was the first university in Indiana to produce the annual biennium request on a CD-ROM. This year, Ball State University went another technological step forward to produce this legislative request on DVD. This project is also special because for the first time, students enrolled in the Telecommunications department at Ball State took responsibility for this prestigious project. This project's significance lies in the fact that it is an attempt for $250 million dollars to benefit Ball State University in future years.This DVD compiled work from students in three production classes from the Telecommunications department. Along with allowing students to have the chance to work on a project with a lot of significance, this DVD taught the students the process of creating a legislative request, allowed the students to work with the president and some vice presidents of Ball State University, and taught the students working with this project the dedication and work ethnic needed to produce a DVD for a professional audience. This project also gave students the opportunity to go to the state house to watch the presentations unfold.Thesis (B.?)Honors Colleg