Invention:
This technology is a novel closed-loop volumetric ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging and spectroscopy method that is operator-independent. The technology can be integrated with existing hardware systems, and it offers the flexibility to scale from standard clinical ultrasound to high-frequency preclinical imaging for visualizing structures at different scales. This method also offers enhanced contrast and information by combining ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging modalities and enables multi-dimensional imaging by integrating light and sound.
This exciting new technique has unique applications to the defense, nondestructive testing, and medical industries by offering hands-free and reproducible scanning for short and long-term monitoring of biological tissue and physical structures. This technology has shown significant potential in biomedical applications, including cancer diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and assessing blood flow and oxygen content in superficial structures, which can improve diagnosis and guide treatment decisions.
Background:
Limitations and challenges of traditional imaging technologies, such as ultrasound or photoacoustic imaging, include variability in image acquisition due to manual operator control and challenges in comparing images across different scanning sessions, which could result in potential errors in diagnosis or treatment decisions. Hybrid ultrasound imaging systems that incorporate photoacoustic imaging are gaining popularity in various fields, as they offer enhanced contrast mechanisms that provide valuable information about tissue properties, such as density, speed of sound, and optical absorption.
Applications:
- Biomedical imaging
- Cancer diagnosis
- Preclinical research
- Defense
- Nondestructive testing
Advantages:
- Accurate and reproducible imaging
- Real-time and volumetric imaging
- Enhanced contrast and information
- Does not require an operator
- Enables both short-term and long-term monitoring
- Improves diagnoses and enables better treatment decision making
