Search Results (36)

Ovarian maturity in live female mud crabs (Scylla paramamosain) strongly affects harvest decisions and market value. Current ovarian maturity assessment relies mainly on expert-dependent methods that are subjective and destructive. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an interpretable, non-destructive image-based framework to classify crab ovarian maturity as immature or mature. A total of 240 crab image sets acquired using ventral external-view, dorsal external-view, and dorsal transillumination imaging were retained for analysis. Six primary morphometric features were semi-manually extracted from these views. External-view images quantified carapace width (CW), abdomen width (AW), abdomen area (AA), and sternum area (SA). Dorsal transillumination images yielded carapace area (CA) and ovary area (OA), an internal cue visualized through the intact carapace. To mitigate body-size variation, three ratio-based features—abdomen–carapace width ratio (ACWR), abdomen–sternum area ratio (ASAR), and ovary–carapace area ratio (OCAR)—were calculated. Between-class comparisons and correlation analyses were performed to guide candidate feature-set construction. Because OA and OCAR were strongly correlated, two reduced feature sets (Reduced 1 and Reduced 2) were designed to compare absolute ovary area with normalized ovary occupancy. Five feature sets—Raw, Ratio, Combined, Reduced 1, and Reduced 2—were evaluated using logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF) classifiers. The Combined feature set, integrating all primary and ratio-based features, achieved the strongest mean cross-validated performance when paired with LR. On the held-out test set (n = 40), the final Combined-LR model achieved 0.950 accuracy and 0.997 ROC–AUC. On an independent practical implementation set (n = 40), the model correctly classified 39 specimens, achieving 0.975 accuracy. These findings may support non-destructive ovarian maturity screening and commercial grading in mud crab aquaculture. Full article

Current diagnostic modalities for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US), excel at visualizing structural pathology but are either resource-intensive or often limited to morphological assessment. In this work, we present the design and technical validation of a low-cost continuous-wave near-infrared (NIR) dual-mode optical probe for functional monitoring of joint inflammation. Unlike superficial imaging, NIR light penetrates approximately 3–5 cm and is tissue and wavelength dependent, enabling trans-illumination of the synovial volume. The system combines reflectance and transmission geometries to resolve the ambiguity between disease presence and disease severity. To validate the diagnostic logic, we employed mcxyzn Monte Carlo (MC) simulations to model the optical signature of RA progression from early onset to EULAR-OMERACT grade 2 pannus hypertrophy on a simplified finger model, based on several tissue models in the literature and supported by physical measurements on a multilayer silicone phantom and in vivo signal verification on human volunteers. Our results demonstrate a distinct functional dichotomy: reflectance geometry serves as a binary discriminator of synovial turbidity onset, while transmission flux serves as a monotonic proxy for pannus volume, exhibiting a quantifiable signal decay consistent with the Beer–Lambert law. Signal verification on a subject with confirmed RA pathology demonstrated a significant increase in the effective attenuation coefficient (${\mu }_{eff} ~ 0.59$ mm⁻¹) compared to the healthy baseline (${\mu }_{eff} ~ 0.47$ mm⁻¹). Furthermore, simulation analysis revealed a critical “metric inversion” in darker skin phenotypes (Fitzpatrick V–VI), where the standard beam-broadening signature of inflammation is artificially suppressed by epidermal absorption. We conclude that while transmission flux remains a robust grading metric across diverse skin tones, morphological beam-shape metrics are not robust, particularly in high-absorption populations. By targeting the hemodynamic precursors of structural damage, this dual-mode probe design offers a potential pathway for longitudinal, quantitative monitoring of disease activity at the point of care, while the systematic use of the Monte Carlo framework provides insight into the measurement geometry most suitable for a given clinical endpoint, whether that be detecting the presence or severity of rheumatoid arthritis. Full article

The recommended surgery for pancreatic tumors is dependent on the diagnosis. For pancreatic adenocarcinoma, duodenal, and ampullary adenocarcinoma, a Whipple pancreaticoduodenectomy with lymph node dissection is recommended. For small < 2 cm or non-imageable gastrinomas, duodenal transillumination, duodenotomy, duodenal tumor excision and adjacent lymphadenectomy is recommended. For large > 3 cm gastrinomas, a Whipple pancreaticoduodenectomy with adjacent lymph node dissection is recommended. For small 1–2 cm insulinomas, intraoperative ultrasound with enucleation is recommended. If the patient with gastrinoma, insulinoma, or multiple nonfunctional NETs occurs in the setting of MEN-1, a subtotal pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy with enucleation of pancreatic head tumors is recommended, with adjacent lymph node dissection. The detail of each procedure is described with illustrations. Full article

Background: The iliotibial band (ITB) is an anatomically complex structure with multiple proximal and distal attachments, making its mechanical behavior difficult to interpret. In the study of iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), prior research has often considered the underlying lateral femoral epicondyle (LFE) as a fixed reference to describe ITB movement during knee flexion, potentially misrepresenting true tissue dynamics. This proof-of-concept study introduces the musculoskeletal advanced transillumination technique (MATT) to visualize and measure LFE displacement relative to the ITB and the tubercule of the ITB (tITB) on the tibia during passive knee flexion. Methods: Un-embalmed donor knees (n = 8) were dissected to expose the ITB and positioned on a device allowing standardized passive motion from 0° to 30°. A trocar was inserted between the femoral epicondyles, and a 300-watt xenon light source illuminated the LFE. Video was recorded with an iPhone 15, and key frames were analyzed using ImageJ Version 1.54i, and a custom Python (Version 3.12.5) script to quantify LFE displacement relative to the ITB and to the tITB. Results: Median absolute LFE displacement from 0° to 30° was 9.18 mm (IQR 7.23–10.95). Between 0° and 30°, the LFE shifted anteriorly by −1.76 mm (IQR −10.28 to −8.72) relative to the anterior border of the ITB, and by 11.26 mm (IQR 8.27 to 26.33) relative to its posterior border. The LFE-tITB distance increased from 51.98 mm (IQR 49.13–52.36) at 0° to 53.66 mm (IQR 50.08–60.11) at 30°, with a median displacement of 3.92 mm (IQR: 2.48–5.73). Conclusions: Musculoskeletal Advance Transillumination Technique (MATT) is a straightforward and reproducible technique that offers direct visualization of the dynamic relationship between a skeletal landmark and myofascial structures, such as the LFE and the ITB. By challenging the assumption that the LFE is a fixed reference point, MATT opens new perspectives for investigating the biomechanical mechanisms underlying conditions like iliotibial band syndrome. Full article

Background: This study aimed to analyze and compare the translucency and marginal adaptation of five resin-based materials used as occlusal sealants, both before and after simultaneous fatigue and thermocycling. Two null hypotheses were tested: (1) All tested materials allow the transillumination of sealed occlusal carious lesions. (2) There are no differences in marginal adaptation before and after simultaneous fatigue and thermocycling. Methods: Forty extracted human molars with early occlusal caries lesions were randomly divided into five equal groups. Near-infrared transillumination images of cleaned occlusal surfaces were captured before and after applying the following sealants: (I) OptiBond FL (adhesive alone), (II) OptiBond FL (primer and adhesive) (Kerr Corp., Brea, CA, USA), (III) Scotchbond Universal (3M, St. Paul, MN, USA) combined with OptiBond FL adhesive, (IV) Fissurit (VOCO GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany), (V) Helioseal Clear (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein). A scanning electron microscope was used to assess marginal adaptation before and after simultaneous fatigue and thermocycling. The percentages of continuous margins (CMs) were quantified before and after the fatigue test and statistically compared (Shapiro–Wilk Normality test, two-way ANOVA with Fisher’s post hoc test). Results: Helioseal Clear and Fissurit were fully transparent under near-infrared transillumination. The percentage of closed margins significantly decreased after loading in one group: OptiBond FL primer application before adhesive application significantly reduced marginal adaptation. Conclusion: OptiBond FL (adhesive), Scotchbond Universal with OptiBond FL (adhesive), Fissurit, and Helioseal Clear provided excellent marginal adaptation. However, using OptiBond FL primer on enamel negatively impacted adaptation. Helioseal Clear and Fissurit, as transparent sealants, may allow lesion monitoring using an 850 nm transillumination camera. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the optimal combinations of wavelengths for short wavelength infrared (SWIR) multispectral transillumination and reflectance imaging of caries lesions on proximal and occlusal surfaces. Methods: The contrasts of (n = 76) caries lesions on the occlusal and proximal surfaces of extracted teeth were measured at 1050, 1300, and 1550 nm for occlusal transillumination and 1058, 1300, 1450, and 1675 nm for occlusal reflectance. All teeth were also imaged using radiography and microcomputed tomography (μCT) to verify lesion presence. A custom-fabricated handheld imaging probe suitable for clinical use and for the simultaneous acquisition of SWIR occlusal transillumination and reflectance (SWIR-OTR) images was used. Three high-power superluminescent diode lasers were used for transillumination, and a fiber-optic switch was used to switch between the transillumination wavelengths. Optical bandpass filters coupled with a tungsten halogen lamp were used for reflectance. All images were acquired at the same position and with the same field of view for comparison. Results: The highest contrasts in reflection were at 1450 and 1675 nm for occlusal and interproximal lesions, and the highest contrasts for transillumination were at 1050 and 1300 nm. Conclusions: This study suggests that the best wavelengths for SWIR-OTR are between 1000 and 1300 nm for transillumination and greater than 1400 nm for reflectance. Wavelengths beyond 1400 nm are advantageous for reflectance and yield significantly higher contrast. Wavelengths beyond 1300 nm are not promising for occlusal transillumination since internal water absorption leads to contrast inversion. Full article

Technological improvements have introduced significant innovations in dentistry and broadened the array of tools and techniques in dental care. One technological development that has been widely researched over the past 20 years is the use of Near-Infrared Transillumination (NIRT) imaging for the diagnosis of dental caries. This paper aims to introduce a comprehensive collection of NIRT images, intended as a reference tool for routine dental examinations, dental research, pedagogical activities, and forensic odontology. The collection presents pairwise clinical and NIRT images categorized as follows: (a) healthy teeth, (b) carious teeth, (c) restored teeth, (d) enamel defects, and (e) diverse findings. This atlas could be a valuable tool for the dental community as it is designed as an identification guide of NIRT illustrated dental features. Full article

Recent studies in transillumination imaging for developing an optical computed tomography device for small animal and human body parts have used deep learning networks to suppress the scattering effect, estimate depth information of light-absorbing structures, and reconstruct three-dimensional images of de-blurred structures. However, they still have limitations, such as knowing the information of the structure in advance, only processing simple structures, limited effectiveness for structures with a depth of about 15 mm, and the need to use separated deep learning networks for de-blurring and estimating information. Furthermore, the current technique cannot handle multiple structures distributed at different depths next to each other in the same image. To overcome the mentioned limitations in transillumination imaging, this study proposed a pixel-by-pixel scanning technique in combination with deep learning networks (Attention Res-UNet for scattering suppression and DenseNet-169 for depth estimation) to estimate the existence of each pixel and the relative structural depth information. The efficacy of the proposed method was evaluated through experiments that involved a complex model within a tissue-equivalent phantom and a mouse, achieving a reconstruction error of $2.18$% compared to the dimensions of the ground truth when using the fully convolutional network. Furthermore, we could use the depth matrix obtained from the convolutional neural network (DenseNet-169) to reconstruct the absorbing structures using a binary thresholding method, which produced a reconstruction error of $6.82$%. Therefore, only one convolutional neural network (DenseNet-169) must be used for depth estimation and explicit image reconstruction. Therefore, it reduces time and computational resources. With depth information at each pixel, reconstruction of 3D image of the de-blurred structures could be performed even from a single blurred image. These results confirm the feasibility and robustness of the proposed pixel-by-pixel scanning technique to restore the internal structure of the body, including intricate networks such as blood vessels or abnormal tissues. Full article

The Hebrew Scroll, catalogued as Magliabekian Manuscript III 43 and belonging to the National Central Library of Florence (BNCF), is a membranous richly decorated scroll, with colorful depictions of sacred sites through the Holy Land to Lebanon along with handwritten texts in Hebrew and notes in Italian. Despite the fact that the manuscript was originally catalogued as an “object of no artistic or scientific value”, recent paleographic studies dated it to the XIV century and highlighted it as the oldest scroll still available, depicting holy places from Egypt to Lebanon. Nevertheless, precise dating, authorship, and the interpretation of its original function are still uncertain. A suite of complementary techniques was used, including photographic documentation in visible (VIS) light in diffuse light, grazing light, and transillumination, luminescence induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, imaging spectroscopy (IS), Macro Area X-ray Fluorescence (MA-XRF), and spot analyses such as fiber-optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) in the UV, VIS, and near-infrared (NIR) regions, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) in external reflectance mode (ER), and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results of the non-invasive diagnostic campaign enabled the identification of several constituting materials (parchment, pigments, binder, and inks). The identified materials were consistent with the proposed dating and geographical manufacturing area of the artefact. Full article

The classical transillumination technique has been revitalized through recent advancements in optical technology, enhancing its applicability in the realm of biomedical research. With a new perspective on near-axis scattered light, we have harnessed near-infrared (NIR) light to visualize intricate internal light-absorbing structures within animal bodies. By leveraging the principle of differentiation, we have extended the applicability of the Beer–Lambert law even in cases of scattering-dominant media, such as animal body tissues. This approach facilitates the visualization of dynamic physiological changes occurring within animal bodies, thereby enabling noninvasive, real-time imaging of macroscopic functionality in vivo. An important challenge inherent to transillumination imaging lies in the image blur caused by pronounced light scattering within body tissues. By extracting near-axis scattered components from the predominant diffusely scattered light, we have achieved cross-sectional imaging of animal bodies. Furthermore, we have introduced software-based techniques encompassing deconvolution using the point spread function and the application of deep learning principles to counteract the scattering effect. Finally, transillumination imaging has been elevated from two-dimensional to three-dimensional imaging. The effectiveness and applicability of these proposed techniques have been validated through comprehensive simulations and experiments involving human and animal subjects. As demonstrated through these studies, transillumination imaging coupled with emerging technologies offers a promising avenue for future biomedical applications. Full article

This in vitro study aimed to investigate the diagnostic potential of short-wave infrared transillumination (SWIRT) at 1050, 1200 and 1300 nm for the detection of proximal caries in molars and premolars. It was compared to the diagnostic performance of bitewing radiography (BWR) and micro-computed tomography (µCT) as the reference standard. 250 sound or decayed proximal surfaces of permanent posterior extracted teeth were examined using (1) SWIRT at 1050, 1200 and 1300 nm with two camera systems of different resolutions, (2) BWR and (3) µCT. Thresholds were defined for both test methods and the reference standard for caries in general, enamel caries and dentin caries. All images were assessed by two examiners twice, at an interval of two weeks. SWIRT at wavelengths of 1050, 1200 and 1300 nm achieved sensitivity values more than 2.5 times higher than BWR (enamel caries 3.2–4.4 times; dentin caries 3.25–4.25 times) for the detection of proximal caries. Sensitivity values of SWIRT improved with the higher wavelength. No significant difference was found in diagnostic quality between the two camera systems. SWIRT at 1300 nm imaged proximal enamel caries with the highest accuracy, while the physical optimum for transillumination in dentin was located at a lower wavelength (<1000 nm). Full article

The advance in digital diagnostic technologies has significantly facilitated the detection of dental caries. Despite the increase in clinically available digital diagnostic aids for dental caries, there is yet to be a comprehensive summary of all available technology. This review aims to provide an overview of digital diagnostic aids for the clinical detection of dental caries, particularly those at an initial stage. Currently available digital diagnostic aids for caries detection can be classified into four categories according to the initial source of energy, including radiation-based aids, light-based aids, ultrasound-based aids, and electric-based aids. Radiation-based aids use ionizing radiation, normally X-ray, to produce images of dental structures. Radiation-based aids encompass digital bitewing radiography and cone beam computed tomography. Light-based aids employ light or laser to induce signals for the detection of the changes in the carious dental hard tissue. Common light-based aids include digital transillumination and light/laser-induced fluorescence. Ultrasound-based aids detect the signal of ultrasound waves to assess the acoustic impedance of the carious teeth. The ultrasound caries detector is an available ultrasound-based aid. Electric-based aids assess the changes in the electric current conductance or impedance of the teeth with caries. Available electric-based aids include electrical conductance measurement and alternating current impedance spectroscopy. Except for these clinically available digital diagnostic aids, many digital diagnostic aids for caries detection are still under development with promising results in laboratory settings. Full article

The development of optical sensors, especially with regard to the improved resolution of cameras, has made optical techniques more applicable in medicine and live animal research. Research efforts focus on image signal acquisition, scattering de-blur for acquired images, and the development of image reconstruction algorithms. Rapidly evolving artificial intelligence has enabled the development of techniques for de-blurring and estimating the depth of light-absorbing structures in biological tissues. Although the feasibility of applying deep learning to overcome these problems has been demonstrated in previous studies, limitations still exist in terms of de-blurring capabilities on complex structures and the heterogeneity of turbid medium, as well as the limit of accurate estimation of the depth of absorptive structures in biological tissues (shallower than 15.0 mm). These problems are related to the absorption structure’s complexity, the biological tissue’s heterogeneity, the training data, and the neural network model itself. This study thoroughly explores how to generate training and testing datasets on different deep learning models to find the model with the best performance. The results of the de-blurred image show that the Attention Res-UNet model has the best de-blurring ability, with a correlation of more than 89% between the de-blurred image and the original structure image. This result comes from adding the Attention gate and the Residual block to the common U-net model structure. The results of the depth estimation show that the DenseNet169 model shows the ability to estimate depth with high accuracy beyond the limit of 20.0 mm. The results of this study once again confirm the feasibility of applying deep learning in transmission image processing to reconstruct clear images and obtain information on the absorbing structure inside biological tissue. This allows the development of subsequent transillumination imaging studies in biological tissues with greater heterogeneity and structural complexity. Full article

The aim of this clinical study was to compare the diagnostic performance of dual short wavelength infrared (SWIR) occlusal transillumination and reflectance multispectral imaging with conventional visual assessment and radiography for caries detection on premolars scheduled for extraction for orthodontics reasons. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) and micro-computed tomography (microCT) performed after tooth extraction were used as gold standards. The custom-fabricated imaging probe was 3D-printed and the imaging system employed a SWIR camera and fiber-optic light sources emitting light at 1300 nm for occlusal transillumination and 1600 nm for reflectance measurements. Teeth (n = 135) on 40 test subjects were imaged in vivo using the SWIR imaging prototype in the study and teeth were extracted after imaging. Our study demonstrates for the first time that near-simultaneous real-time transillumination and reflectance video can be successfully acquired for caries detection. Both SWIR imaging modalities had markedly higher sensitivity for lesions on proximal and occlusal surfaces compared to conventional methods (visual and radiographic). Reflectance imaging at 1600 nm had higher sensitivity and specificity than transillumination at 1300 nm. The combined SWIR methods yielded higher specificity but the combined sensitivity was lower than for each individual method. Full article

Background and Objectives: Retromode is a relatively new retinal-imaging technique that is based on the transillumination principle and is obtained with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope that uses light in the infrared spectrum. The laser light penetrates into the deep retinal layers and the choroid. Retromode images are captured with a laterally displaced aperture, and the detector captures only the scattered light. The result is a high-contrast pseudo-three-dimensional image. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disabling retinal disease. AMD is characterized in its early stage by small and intermediate drusen formation, while the signs of intermediate AMD are large drusen and/or pigmentary abnormalities. Late AMD has two forms, geographic atrophy, which is the advanced form of dry AMD, and wet AMD. Most of the lesions of AMD are located in the outer layers of the retina. This new imaging method can provide a glimpse of the deep retinal layers’ topographic changes in a non-invasive, fast, and effective way that can match the other imaging tools available. Materials and Methods: The literature review was performed by searching the PubMed database using the following combination of keywords: retromode imaging and age-related macular degeneration. Relevant images similar to the ones in the literature were identified and used as models. Results: The purpose of this article is to highlight the utility of incorporating retromode imaging into the multimodal evaluation of the retina in patients with AMD and to gather and integrate these findings into a brief but comprehensive paper. Conclusions: Retromode imaging is a good screening, diagnosis, and monitoring tool for patients with AMD. Full article