Evaluation of a dual-modal tissue imaging framework based on information fusion using optical coherence and bioimpedance tomography

3D cell culture models are widely considered more physiologically relevant than their 2D counterparts. This represents a challenge for conventional 2D imaging and biochemical assays. Real-time, non- invasive assessments of cell growth and cell metabolic activities are particularly challenging because few non-destructive, label-free and rapid cell assay techniques for 3D samples are available. We developed a dual-modal imaging approach that combines Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to profile the microstructural and physiological status of 3D cell culture and to offer complementary biological information. In this paper, the design of the dual- modal sensor is presented and a robust algorithm for information fusion and image reconstruction is developed. The performance of the dual-modal imaging framework and reconstruction algorithm is evaluated by numerical simulation. The results indicate that the dual-modal sensor and image reconstruction algorithm can reveal both functional and structural information of the imaging targets, implying that our dual-modal approach can be applied to monitor the biological behavior of 3D cell culture in real-time and noninvasively.