High-speed three-dimensional photoacoustic computed tomography for preclinical research and clinical translation

Abstract

Photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) has generated increasing interest for uses in preclinical research and clinical translation. However, the imaging depth, speed, and quality of existing PACT systems have previously limited the potential applications of this technology. To overcome these issues, we developed a three-dimensional photoacoustic computed tomography (3D-PACT) system that features large imaging depth, scalable field of view with isotropic spatial resolution, high imaging speed, and superior image quality. 3D-PACT allows for multipurpose imaging to reveal detailed angiographic information in biological tissues ranging from the rodent brain to the human breast. In the rat brain, we visualize whole brain vasculatures and hemodynamics. In the human breast, an in vivo imaging depth of 4 cm is achieved by scanning the breast within a single breath hold of 10 s. Here, we introduce the 3D-PACT system to provide a unique tool for preclinical research and an appealing prototype for clinical translation.

All‐in‐One Photoacoustic Theranostics Using Multi‐Functional Nanoparticles

“…[38][39][40][41][42] It can also provide multi-scale imaging capability to balance the spatial resolution and penetration depth, which has a depth-to-resolutionratio of over 200. [38,42] In addition, PAI can be easily integrated into existing ultrasonographic platforms for clinical translation and has been extensively used in clinic, such as breast cancer screening, [43,44] brain investigation, [44,45] ovarian cancer detection via endoscopic mode, [46,47] and diagnosis of early-stage arthritis. [48,49] In this study, to achieve all-in-one anti-cancer strategy, we explore the possibility of drug delivery, cancer treatment and postoperative evaluation using the same mechanism and platform, referred to as all-in-one photoacoustic theranostics.…”

Perspective on fast-evolving photoacoustic tomography

“…To maximize the detection aperture, several groups have explored the feasibility of spherical ultrasound transducer arrays, usually with the transducer elements sparsely distributed over the array surface. 47 , 49 , 50 Compared with the planar 2D array, 53 , 54 the spherical array can provide higher spatial sampling density around its center volume and better visualization of 3D structures with different orientations. Matsumoto et al.…”

“… 47 (b) Schematic of the quad-arc array with 1024 elements densely arranged along four arcs (with a separation of 90 deg) that are mounted on a hemispherical surface. 49 (c)-(d) Projection images of the human breast vascular oxygenation obtained by the volumetric PACT in (a), with a total scanning time of 120 s. (e)–(f) Projection images of the human breast vasculature obtained by the volumetric PACT in (b), with a total scanning time of 10 s. Adapted with permissions from Refs. 47 and 49 .…”

“…2(b) ]. 49 By rotating the quad-arc-shaped array by 90 deg, the volumetric PACT system can provide a large well-resolved FOV ( ) and steradian solid angle, with nearly isotropic resolution of 370 to . It takes only 2 to 10 s to generate a volumetric image, depending on the targeted FOV, which is much faster than the previously reported systems.…”

Editorial: Advances in Photoacoustic Neuroimaging

“…The quality of the photoacoustic images of the brain further relies on the operational performance of the ultrasonic transducer employed to detect the photoacoustic signals. As a well-established technology widely used in photoacoustic imaging, traditional piezoelectric transducers have some shortcomings that restrict the further development of photoacoustics, particularly for brain imaging, and often cause technical difficulties in integrating photoacoustic imaging with conventional optical imaging modalities (Lin et al, 2021 ). Recently, optical ultrasound sensors have been suggested for photoacoustic imaging.…”