Multiwavelength optoacoustic system for noninvasive monitoring of cerebral venous oxygenation: a pilot clinical test in the internal jugular vein

Abstract

A noninvasive, high-resolution optoacoustic technique is a promising alternative to currently used invasive methods of brain oxygenation monitoring. We present the results of our pilot clinical test of this technique in healthy volunteers. Multiwavelength optoacoustic measurements (with nanosecond optical parametric oscillator as a source of radiation) were performed on the area of the neck overlying the internal jugular vein, a deeply located large vein that drains blood from the brain and from extracranial tissues. Optoacoustic signals induced in venous blood were measured with high resolution and signal-to-noise ratio despite the presence of a thick layer of overlying tissue (up to 10 mm). The characteristic parameters of the signal at different wavelengths correlated well with the spectrum of the effective attenuation coefficient of blood.

Photoacoustic ultrasound spectroscopy for assessing red blood cell aggregation and oxygenation

“…[21][22][23] In addition, PA imaging has been successful in monitoring blood oxygenation. The feasibility of PA for obtaining in vivo structural and functional information of the brain of rats as well as measuring the Hb concentration 24 and oxygenation levels in the internal jugular vein of sheep 25 and humans 26 has been successfully demonstrated. Our group has developed theoretical models to investigate the effect of RBC aggregation 27 and oxygenation 28 on the PA signals as independent processes.…”

Noninvasive reflection mode photoacoustic imaging through infant skull toward imaging of neonatal brains

“…The distribution of light fluence measured by optical imaging may be introduced in the reconstruction of photoacoustic images. Other technologies, which may improve the accuracy in future functional, imaging of brain in vivo, include spectroscopic measurement at multiple wavelengths (Petrov et al, 2006;Zhang et al, 2006Zhang et al, , 2007. It has been suggested that acquiring images at more wavelengths instead of two may lead to better SNR and higher accuracy in imaging hemodynamic properties.…”

Development of a catheter for combined intravascular ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging

“…[22][23][24] A number of scientific groups successfully use the photoacoustic technique for vascular applications. [25][26][27][28][29][30] Previously, we investigated the feasibility of IVPA imaging using commercially available IVUS imaging catheters. 15 The excised tissue samples were imaged with the IVUS catheter located inside of a lumen, while the vessel was externally irradiated, and the capability of the combined IVUS/IVPA imaging to detect and differentiate atherosclerotic plaques was demonstrated.…”