Context-aware deep learning enables high-efficacy localization of high concentration microbubbles for super-resolution ultrasound localization microscopy.

Autor: Shin, YiRang, Lowerison, Matthew R., Wang, Yike, Chen, Xi, You, Qi, Dong, Zhijie, Anastasio, Mark A., Song, Pengfei
Předmět:
Zdroj: Nature Communications; 4/4/2024, Vol. 15 Issue 1, p1-16, 16p
Abstrakt: Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) enables deep tissue microvascular imaging by localizing and tracking intravenously injected microbubbles circulating in the bloodstream. However, conventional localization techniques require spatially isolated microbubbles, resulting in prolonged imaging time to obtain detailed microvascular maps. Here, we introduce LOcalization with Context Awareness (LOCA)-ULM, a deep learning-based microbubble simulation and localization pipeline designed to enhance localization performance in high microbubble concentrations. In silico, LOCA-ULM enhanced microbubble detection accuracy to 97.8% and reduced the missing rate to 23.8%, outperforming conventional and deep learning-based localization methods up to 17.4% in accuracy and 37.6% in missing rate reduction. In in vivo rat brain imaging, LOCA-ULM revealed dense cerebrovascular networks and spatially adjacent microvessels undetected by conventional ULM. We further demonstrate the superior localization performance of LOCA-ULM in functional ULM (fULM) where LOCA-ULM significantly increased the functional imaging sensitivity of fULM to hemodynamic responses invoked by whisker stimulations in the rat brain. Ultrasound localisation microscopy enables deep tissue microvascular imaging. Here, authors introduce LOCA-ULM, a deep learning pipeline enhancing localisation accuracy in high microbubble concentrations. LOCA-ULM reveals dense cerebrovascular networks and enhances the sensitivity of functional ULM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Complementary Index