Experimental three-dimensional fluorescence reconstruction of diffuse media by use of a normalized Born approximation

We present a normalized Born expansion that facilitates fluorescence reconstructions in turbid, tissue-like media. The algorithm can be particularly useful for tissue investigations of fluorochrome distribution in vivo, since it does not require absolute photon-field measurements or measurements before contrast-agent administration. This unique advantage can be achieved only in fluorescence mode. We used this algorithm to three-dimensionally image and quantify an indocyanine fluorochrome phantom, using a navel fluorescence tomographic imager developed for animals. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.