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Advances in Light- and Sound-Based Techniques in Biomedicine

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A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 April 2023) | Viewed by 11547

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. James Joseph

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Guest Editor

School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
Interests: photoacoustic imaging; optical imaging; ultrasound imaging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Jason Raymond

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Interests: physical acoustics; acousto-optics; ultrasonics for imaging and therapy

Dr. Jithin Jose

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Research and Market Development Manager Fujifilm Visualsonics, 1114 AB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Interests: photoacoustic imaging; optical imaging, ultrasound imaging; multi-modal imaging

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advances in optical and ultrasound-based techniques have resulted in the emergence of innovative and transformative tools that can be used to probe biomedical and biological systems at the subcellular, cellular, tissue, and organ levels. Due to their unique potential to provide low-cost, safe, and portable medical devices with extremely high sensitivity and specificity, optical and ultrasound techniques are expected to play a prominent role in next-generation diagnostic, analytical, and therapeutic modalities. This Special Issue encompasses a broad range of techniques, mainly focused on recent advances in instrumentation, multi-modal configurations, theranostic combinations, contrast agents, and new instrumentation schemes towards affordable point-of-care imaging and therapy.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy
Ultrasound Imaging
Acousto-optic Imaging
Photoacoustic Imaging
Microscopy, Mesoscopy, Endoscopy
Affordable and portable light sources (laser diodes, LED) and light delivery methods
Data Processing and Novel algorithms
Tissue mimicking phantoms
Novel Optical, Acoustic and Photoacoustic Probes
Optical and Ultrasound Therapy
Fluorescence, Raman, Photoacoustics, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Hyperspectral Imaging

Dr. James Joseph
Dr. Jason Raymond
Dr. Jithin Jose
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sensors is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

optical imaging
spectroscopy
ultrasound imaging
acousto-optic imaging
opto-acoustic imaging

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2528 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Vivo Analysis of a Biodegradable Magnesium Alloy Implant in an Animal Model Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

by Anna Mathew, Hafiz Wajahat Hassan, Olga Korostynska, Frank Westad, Eduarda Mota-Silva, Luca Menichetti and Peyman Mirtaheri

Sensors 2023, 23(6), 3063; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/s23063063 - 13 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1710

Abstract

Biodegradable magnesium-based implants offer mechanical properties similar to natural bone, making them advantageous over nonbiodegradable metallic implants. However, monitoring the interaction between magnesium and tissue over time without interference is difficult. A noninvasive method, optical near-infrared spectroscopy, can be used to monitor tissue’s functional and structural properties. In this paper, we collected optical data from an in vitro cell culture medium and in vivo studies using a specialized optical probe. Spectroscopic data were acquired over two weeks to study the combined effect of biodegradable Mg-based implant disks on the cell culture medium in vivo. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used for data analysis. In the in vivo study, we evaluated the feasibility of using the near-infrared (NIR) spectra to understand physiological events in response to magnesium alloy implantation at specific time points (Day 0, 3, 7, and 14) after surgery. Our results show that the optical probe can detect variations in vivo from biological tissues of rats with biodegradable magnesium alloy “WE43” implants, and the analysis identified a trend in the optical data over two weeks. The primary challenge of in vivo data analysis is the complexity of the implant interaction near the interface with the biological medium. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Light- and Sound-Based Techniques in Biomedicine)

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13 pages, 2921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fiber Bundle Image Reconstruction Using Convolutional Neural Networks and Bundle Rotation in Endomicroscopy

by Matthew Eadie, Jinpeng Liao, Wael Ageeli, Ghulam Nabi and Nikola Krstajić

Sensors 2023, 23(5), 2469; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/s23052469 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2022

Abstract

Fiber-bundle endomicroscopy has several recognized drawbacks, the most prominent being the honeycomb effect. We developed a multi-frame super-resolution algorithm exploiting bundle rotation to extract features and reconstruct underlying tissue. Simulated data was used with rotated fiber-bundle masks to create multi-frame stacks to train the model. Super-resolved images are numerically analyzed, which demonstrates that the algorithm can restore images with high quality. The mean structural similarity index measurement (SSIM) improved by a factor of 1.97 compared with linear interpolation. The model was trained using images taken from a single prostate slide, 1343 images were used for training, 336 for validation, and 420 for testing. The model had no prior information about the test images, adding to the robustness of the system. Image reconstruction was completed in 0.03 s for 256 × 256 images indicating future real-time performance is within reach. The combination of fiber bundle rotation and multi-frame image enhancement through machine learning has not been utilized before in an experimental setting but could provide a much-needed improvement to image resolution in practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Light- and Sound-Based Techniques in Biomedicine)

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11 pages, 3393 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Vivo Contrast Imaging of Rat Heart with Carbon Dioxide Foam

by Anton Karalko, Peter Keša, Frantisek Jelínek, Luděk Šefc, Jan Ježek, Pavel Zemánek and Tomáš Grus

Sensors 2022, 22(14), 5124; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/s22145124 - 08 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1834

Abstract

Widely used classical angiography with the use of iodine contrast agents is highly problematic, particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus, cardiac and pulmonary diseases, or degree III or IV renal insufficiency. Some patients may be susceptible to allergic reaction to the iodine contrast substance. The intravenous injection of a bolus of CO₂ (negative contrast) is an alternative method, which is, however, currently only used for imaging blood vessels of the lower limbs. The aim of our project was to design and test on an animal model a methodology for injecting the CO₂ foam which would minimize the possibility of embolization of the brain tissue and heart infarction, leading to their damage. This is important research for the further promotion of the use of CO₂, which is increasingly important for endovascular diagnosis and treatment, because carbon-dioxide-related complications are extremely rare. CO₂ foam was prepared by the rapid mixing in a 2:1 ratio of CO₂ and fetal bovine serum (FBS)-enriched Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM). Freshly prepared CO₂ foam was administered into the catheterized rat tail vein or cannulated rat abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava (IVC). CO₂ foam was compared with commercially available microbubbles (lipid shell/gas core). The rat heart in its parasternal long axis was imaged in B-Mode and Non-linear Contrast Mode before/during and after the contrast administration. Samples of the brain, heart and lungs were collected and subjected to histological examination. The non-linear contrast imaging method enables the imaging of micron-sized gas microbubbles inside a rat heart. The significantly shorter lifetime of the prepared CO₂ foam is a benefit for avoiding the local ischemia of tissues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Light- and Sound-Based Techniques in Biomedicine)

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10 pages, 1247 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Application of Light-Emitting Diode Therapy in the Treatment of Eyebrow Loss in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

by Agnieszka Gerkowicz, Joanna Bartosińska, Dorota Raczkiewicz, Mirosław Kwaśny and Dorota Krasowska

Sensors 2021, 21(17), 5981; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/s21175981 - 06 Sep 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2966

Abstract

Background: Eyebrow loss in the course of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is becoming a growing issue among older females. It has a considerable negative impact on patients’ quality of life. Since there is no standardized treatment, photobiomodulation with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) could be an option. Here we assess, for the first time, the efficacy of LED therapy in the treatment of eyebrow loss in females with FFA. Methods: 16 female patients with FFA aged 60–74 years were enrolled in the study. LED therapy was performed once a week for a 10-week session. The LEDs’ effectiveness was assessed at the baseline, after 10 irradiations, and 6 months after the end of treatment during a follow-up visit. Results: The therapy was well tolerated. After 10 irradiations, the total eyebrow hair count increased significantly, as did the number of thick hairs and mid-thick hairs (p = 0.002, p = 0.002, and p = 0.044, respectively). During the follow-up visit, the total number of eyebrow hairs remained significantly higher than before treatment (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The study revealed that LED therapy seems to be a novel and promising therapeutic option for eyebrow loss in patients with FFA. It is safe and well tolerated and leads to clinically and cosmetically acceptable improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Light- and Sound-Based Techniques in Biomedicine)

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Review

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24 pages, 2213 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Principles of Hearable Photoplethysmography Analysis and Applications in Physiological Monitoring–A Review

by Khalida Azudin, Kok Beng Gan, Rosmina Jaafar and Mohd Hasni Ja’afar

Sensors 2023, 23(14), 6484; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/s23146484 - 18 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1732

Abstract

Not long ago, hearables paved the way for biosensing, fitness, and healthcare monitoring. Smart earbuds today are not only producing sound but also monitoring vital signs. Reliable determination of cardiovascular and pulmonary system information can explore the use of hearables for physiological monitoring. Recent research shows that photoplethysmography (PPG) signals not only contain details on oxygen saturation level (SPO2) but also carry more physiological information including pulse rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, and arterial-related information. The analysis of the PPG signal from the ear has proven to be reliable and accurate in the research setting. (1) Background: The present integrative review explores the existing literature on an in-ear PPG signal and its application. This review aims to identify the current technology and usage of in-ear PPG and existing evidence on in-ear PPG in physiological monitoring. This review also analyzes in-ear (PPG) measurement configuration and principle, waveform characteristics, processing technology, and feature extraction characteristics. (2) Methods: We performed a comprehensive search to discover relevant in-ear PPG articles published until December 2022. The following electronic databases: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed were utilized to conduct the studies addressing the evidence of in-ear PPG in physiological monitoring. (3) Results: Fourteen studies were identified but nine studies were finalized. Eight studies were on different principles and configurations of hearable PPG, and eight studies were on processing technology and feature extraction and its evidence in in-ear physiological monitoring. We also highlighted the limitations and challenges of using in-ear PPG in physiological monitoring. (4) Conclusions: The available evidence has revealed the future of in-ear PPG in physiological monitoring. We have also analyzed the potential limitation and challenges that in-ear PPG will face in processing the signal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Light- and Sound-Based Techniques in Biomedicine)

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