Real-time GPU-based 3D Deconvolution

• Published in: Optics express Vol. 21; no. 4; pp. 4766 - 4773
• Main Authors: Bruce, Marc A, Butte, Manish J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Optical Society of America 25-02-2013
• Subjects: Computer Graphics; Computer Systems; Image Enhancement - instrumentation; Image Enhancement - methods; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - instrumentation; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - instrumentation; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods; Microscopy, Confocal - instrumentation; Microscopy, Confocal - methods; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
• ISSN: 1094-4087; 1094-4087
• DOI: 10.1364/OE.21.004766

Confocal microscopy is an oft-used technique in biology. Deconvolution of 3D images reduces blurring from out-of-focus light and enables quantitative analyses, but existing software for deconvolution is slow and expensive. We present a parallelized software method that runs within ImageJ and deconvolves 3D images ~100 times faster than conventional software (few seconds per image) by running on a low-cost graphics processor board (GPU). We demonstrate the utility of this software by analyzing microclusters of T cell receptors in the immunological synapse of a CD4 + T cell and dendritic cell. This software provides a low-cost and rapid way to improve the accuracy of 3D microscopic images obtained by any method.