Date of Award

12-20-2024

Author's School

McKelvey School of Engineering

Author's Department

Biomedical Engineering

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM), a hybrid modality that combines optical excitation and ultrasonic detection, has attracted considerable attention in basic and translational research. PAM not only enables in vivo label-free vascular imaging at the microscopic level, but also facilitates the assessment of hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism. However, challenges related to image contrast, spatial resolution, and functional analysis hinder its broad applications in biomedicine. This dissertation presents innovative computational techniques to address these challenges. Specially, a sparse coding-based technique is developed to enhance image contrast and ensure robust functional measurements in noisy low-fluence conditions. Additionally, a spatiotemporal red blood cell tracking algorithm, together with a high-speed PAM system, is developed to mitigate resolution anisotropy, providing super-resolved structural and functional images of the 3D microvasculature. Furthermore, a new analytical approach is developed to improve blood flow quantification, achieving high accuracy and computational efficiency. These computational advancements, demonstrated through in vivo applications, hold great potential to leverage the role of PAM in microvascular research.

Language

English (en)

Chair

Song Hu

Committee Members

Adam Bauer; Chao Zhou; Joseph O’Sullivan; Quing Zhu

Available for download on Saturday, December 19, 2026

Included in

Engineering Commons

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