Image resolution and deconvolution in optical tomography

Abstract

We present a frequency domain analysis of the image resolution of optical tomography systems. The result of our analysis is a description of the spatially-variant resolution in optical tomographic image after reconstruction as a function of the properties of the imaging system geometry. We validate our model using optical projection tomography (OPT) measurements of fluorescent beads embedded in agarose gel. Our model correctly describes both the radial and tangential resolution of the measured images. In addition, we present a correction of the tomographic images for the spatially-varying resolution using a deconvolution algorithm. The resulting corrected tomographic reconstruction shows a homogeneous and isotropic pixel-limited resolution across the entire image. Our method is applied to OPT measurements of a zebrafish, showing improved resolution. Aside from allowing image correction and providing a resolution measure for OPT systems, our model provides a powerful tool for the design of optical tomographic systems.