With the ability to capture detailed images of blood vessels in seconds, this breakthrough technology promises to revolutionize diagnostics in fields like rheumatology, oncology, and cardiovascular medicine. Study: A fast all-optical 3D photoacoustic scanner for clinical vascular imaging In a recent study published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering , researchers developed a three-dimensional (3D) photoacoustic tomography (PAT) scanner for rapid vascular imaging. Visualizing the microvasculature to sub-centimeter depths is necessary for effective clinical management of vascular abnormalities.
Optical imaging techniques are promising in visualizing vascular flow, anatomy, and oxygenation. Nevertheless, optical scattering by tissue limits spatial resolution or penetration depth. While ultrasound imaging can address the resolution/depth limitations, it presents other challenges.
As such, photoacoustic imaging is an alternative that can overcome the limitations of ultrasound and optical imaging. In PAT, a pulsed laser beam illuminates the tissue; optical absorption by hemoglobin generates impulsive heating and, subsequently, broadband ultrasound waves. An image can be reconstructed by detecting these waves at the skin's surface.
PAT overcomes range-resolution concerns since ultrasound waves are scattered less than photons in the tissue. Notwithstanding, PAT implementation presents instrumentation-related challenges. Conventional piezoelectric ultrasound detectors are co.
