Mitigating skin tone bias in linear array in vivo photoacoustic imaging with short-lag spatial coherence beamforming
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Photoacoustic (PA) imaging has the potential to deliver non-invasive diagnostic information. However, skin tone differences bias PA target visualization, as the elevated optical absorption of melanated skin decreases optical fluence within the imaging plane and increases the presence of acoustic clutter. This paper demonstrates that short-lag spatial coherence (SLSC) beamforming mitigates this bias. PA data from the forearm of 18 volunteers were acquired with 750-, 810-, and 870-nm wavelengths. Skin tones ranging from light to dark were objectively quantified using the individual typology angle (ITA°). The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the radial artery (RA) and surrounding clutter were measured. Clutter was minimal (e.g., −16 dB relative to the RA) with lighter skin tones and increased to −8 dB with darker tones, which compromised RA visualization in conventional PA images. SLSC beamforming achieved a median SNR improvement of 3.8 dB, resulting in better RA visualization for all skin tones.
Source: Photoacoustics
Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Universidade de São Paulo
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,390
Funders: National Science Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, National Institutes of Health, Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, University of Wisconsin, Madison, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Awards: G1055901342, G2099276038, Photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging applied to tissue characterization, Development and implementation of novel acoustic, magnetic and optical techniques for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, G3713230041, G4057090052, Photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging for theranostic purposes, G6316878445, Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, G9000060067
OpenAlex ID: W4386619495