Linear 3D reconstruction of time-domain diffuse optical imaging differential data: improved depth localization and lateral resolution

We present 3D linear reconstructions of time-domain (TD) diffuse optical imaging differential data. We first compute the sensitivity matrix at different delay gates within the diffusion approximation for a homogeneous semi-infinite medium. The matrix is then inverted using spatially varying regularization. The performances of the method and the influence of a number of parameters are evaluated with simulated data and compared to continuous-wave (CW) imaging. In addition to the expected depth resolution provided by TD, we show improved lateral resolution and localization. The method is then applied to reconstructing phantom data consisting of an absorbing inclusion located at different depths within a scattering medium. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America.