Deep learning-based cell segmentation for rapid optical cytopathology of thyroid cancer.

Fluorescence polarization (Fpol) imaging of methylene blue (MB) is a promising quantitative approach to thyroid cancer detection. Clinical translation of MB Fpol technology requires reduction of the data analysis time that can be achieved via deep learning-based automated cell segmentation with a 2D U-Net convolutional neural network. The model was trained and tested using images of pathologically diverse human thyroid cells and evaluated by comparing the number of cells selected, segmented areas, and Fpol values obtained using automated (AU) and manual (MA) data processing methods.

Accurate machine-specific reference and small-field dosimetry for a self-shielded neuro-radiosurgical system.

Background: The newly available ZAP-X stereotactic radiosurgical system is designed for the treatment of intracranial lesions, with several unique features that include a self-shielding, gyroscopic gantry, wheel collimation, non-orthogonal kV imaging, short source-axis distance, and low-energy megavoltage beam. Systematic characterization of its radiation as well as other properties is imperative to ensure its safe and effective clinical application.

Purpose: To accurately determine the radiation output of the ZAP-X with a special focus on the smaller diameter cones and an aim to provide useful recommendations on quantification of small field dosimetry.

Translational Potential of Fluorescence Polarization for Breast Cancer Cytopathology.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. The standard of care for diagnosis involves invasive core needle biopsy followed by time-consuming histopathological evaluation. A rapid, accurate, and minimally invasive method to diagnose breast cancer would be invaluable.

Design and Validation of a Handheld Optical Polarization Imager for Preoperative Delineation of Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Accurate removal of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is challenging due to the subtle contrast between cancerous and normal skin. A method aiding with preoperative delineation of BCC margins would be valuable. The aim of this study was to implement and clinically validate a novel handheld optical polarization imaging (OPI) device for rapid, noninvasive, in vivo assessment of skin cancer margins.

Fluorescence Polarization Imaging of Methylene Blue Facilitates Quantitative Detection of Thyroid Cancer in Single Cells.

Background: Diagnostic accuracy of the standard of care fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) remains a significant problem in thyroid oncology. Therefore, a robust and accurate method for reducing uncertainty of cytopathological evaluation would be invaluable.

Methods: In this double-blind study, we employed fluorescence emission and quantitative fluorescence polarization (Fpol) confocal imaging for sorting thyroid cells into benign/malignant categories.

Temperature induced changes in the optical properties of skin in vivo.

Knowledge of temperature-induced changes of skin optical properties is required for accurate dosimetry of photothermal treatments. We determined and compared in vivo optical properties of mouse ear skin at different temperatures. The diffuse reflectance, total and diffuse transmittance were measured in the spectral range from 400 to 1650 nm using an integrating sphere spectrometer at the temperatures of 25 °C, 36 °C and 60 °C.

Dual-Wavelength Optical Polarization Imaging for Detecting Skin Cancer Margins.

Treatment of keratinocyte carcinomas requires an assessment of the extent of tumor spread. Visual delineation of tumor margins is error-prone owing to the limited contrast between cancerous and normal skin. In this contribution, we introduce spectrally-encoded optical polarization imaging and evaluate its performance for preoperative demarcation of keratinocyte carcinomas.

Multimodal quantitative imaging of brain cancer in cultured cells.

Fluorescence emission, polarization and subcellular localization of methylene blue (MB) were studied in four cancerous and two normal human brain cell lines. Fluorescence emission and polarization images were acquired and analyzed. The co-localization of MB with mitochondria, lysosomes and nuclei of the cells was evaluated.