Determining the Performance of Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Devices using Traceable Working Standards with SI Units of Radiance

摘要

To date, no emerging preclinical or clinical near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging devices for non-invasive and/or surgical guidance have their performances validated on working standards with SI units of radiance that enable comparison or quantitative quality assurance. In this work, we developed and deployed a methodology to calibrate a stable, solid phantom for emission radiance with units of mW · sr⁻¹ · cm⁻² for use in characterizing the measurement sensitivity of ICCD and IsCMOS detection, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast. In addition, at calibrated radiances, we assess transverse and lateral resolution of ICCD and IsCMOS camera systems. The methodology allowed determination of superior SNR of the ICCD over the IsCMOS camera system and superior resolution of the IsCMOS over the ICCD camera system. Contrast depended upon the camera settings (binning and integration time) and gain of intensifier. Finally, because of architecture of CMOS and CCD camera systems resulting in vastly different performance, we comment on the utility of these systems for small animal imaging as well as clinical applications for non-invasive and surgical guidance.