Effect and correction of optode coupling errors in breast imaging using diffuse optical tomography

In diffuse optical tomography (DOT) and spectroscopy (DOS) using handheld probes, tissue curvature can cause bad fiber-to-tissue contact. Understanding minimizing image artifacts caused by these coupling errors would significantly improve DOT DOS quality. this work, we utilized Monte Carlo simulations experiments with gelatin-Intralipid phantoms to systematically study the influence of source or detector (optode) errors. Optode increase amplitude decrease phase measured reflectance, creating in reconstructed absorption maps, such as hot spots on edges. We propose an outlier removal algorithm that correct artifacts, demonstrate its performance simulations, phantom experiments, breast patient data acquired probe contact due a dense small breast. Further, designed implemented new resistance-type thin-film force sensor array provides real-time optode feedback guides minimize Our approaches results have significant implications for reducing arising from which are commonly used mobile wearable devices.