Intravascular photoacoustic imaging of human coronary atherosclerosis

We demonstrate intravascular photoacoustic imaging of human coronary atherosclerotic plaque. The data was obtained from two fresh human coronary arteries ex vivo, showing different stages of disease. A 1.25?mm diameter intravascular imaging catheter was built, comprising an angle-polished optical fiber adjacent to a 30?MHz ultrasound transducer. Specific photoacoustic imaging of lipid content, a key factor in vulnerable plaques that may lead to myocardial infarction, is achieved by spectroscopic imaging at different wavelengths between 1180 and 1230?nm. Simultaneous imaging with intravascular ultrasound was performed.     

Three-dimensional photoacoustic imaging of blood vessels in tissue

We applied photoacoustics as a tissue tomography technique for the detection of blood concentrations, e.g., angiogenesis around tumors. We imaged blood vessels in highly scattering samples, using 532-nm light, to depths of ~1 cm . The samples were real tissue (chicken breast) or 10% dilutions of Intralipid-10%. The blood flowed through nylon capillaries. Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVdF) piezoelectric detectors were used in a surface-scanning mode. We demonstrate the sensitivity of the technique by photoacoustic detection of single red blood cells upon a glass plate. Lateral resolution is limited by the detector diameter (200 microm). The depth resolution is ~10 microm.     

生物医学光声成像的研究进展

光声成像是21世纪初发展起来的新兴的生物医学成像技术,它同时具备光学成像和声学成像两者的优点,因而备受关注。本文对生物医学光声成像的发展进行了综述。首先,介绍了光声成像的特点以及相对于广泛应用的光学成像技术和声学成像技术的优点;其次,在成像原理上解释了光声成像优点的成因,并介绍了光声断层成像和光声显微镜这两种典型的光声成像技术;再次,详细介绍了多尺度的光声图像分辨率和成像深度,以及多信息维度的光声成像参数;最后,展望了光声成像在生物医学领域的应用潜力并讨论了其局限性。     

光声成像技术的最新进展

光声成像技术是生物医学领域中新兴的无损检测技术,具有对比度高、分辨率好、穿透能力强等优点.本文介绍了光声成像技术近年来的进展状况,主要涉及成像探测方式的改进、成像速度的加快、成像分辨率的提高以及图像重构算法的发展等.以该项技术在现代临床诊断中的应用为例,描述了其在生物医学领域中应用范围的拓宽.最后,总结了该项技术现存的...     

Discrimination of components in atherosclerotic plaques from human carotid endarterectomy specimens by magnetic resonance imaging ex vivo

Specific MRI techniques have been used to determine the dimensional and compositional properties of atherosclerotic lesions in carotid endarterectomy tissues. A quantitative comparison of areas of specific features in typical tissue segments was performed using MR images and histologic images. The mean difference for the measurements by the two methods was 4.5% for the total vessel, 5.3% for the internal carotid artery lumen, and 5.0% for the external carotid lumen. For other less abundant components, the mean difference was 14.2%. For direct characterization, individual tissue components were isolated by microdissection and their T1 and T2 relaxation times measured. Highly calcified areas typically had rather short T1 (452-837 ms) and short T2 (10.4-18.4 ms). In contrast, regions enriched in lipid had much longer T1 (1,380-1,480 ms) and longer T2 (35.3-49.0 ms). Other components such as thrombus had intermediate T1 (1,180 ms) and short T2 (15.4 ms). T2 parametric imaging was used as a complementary approach for segmentation and quantitation of tissue components. In fresh tissue, several different components exhibited different T2 ranges: calcified/solid lipid (13-18 ms). cellular/ECM (9-30 ms), fluid lipid (35-40 ms): fibrous (50-60 ms). These results demonstrate the utility of MRI for identifying and quantifying specific components of atherosclerotic plaque ex vivo, and suggest its value for these measurements in vivo as well.     

光声成像研究进展

本文阐述了光声成像的工作原理,光声信号的产生,传播和探测过程,并总结了光声成像的研究进展,包括时域光声成像和频率域光声成像的研究进展、以及各自的特点,为光声成像领域的研究起到一定的借鉴作用。分析认为光声成像技术有着其他医学成像技术没有的诸多优点,如高分辨率、高对比度、成像深度深等具有广阔的应用前景和较高应用价值,是未来生物医学领域最重要的实时医学成像技术之一,因此得到了国际上的广泛关注。     

多模态光声分子成像进展*

现代的各种医学影像术,如射线成像、CT、正电子发射(PET)、磁共振(MR)、超声(US)、荧光(FL)等都各具特色,并成功地应用于多种疾病的诊疗。但每种影像术都不能对生物组织做出完整的描述。由若干个成像技术组成的多模态成像技术,是获得组织更多信息的有效途径。光声(PA)成像是能提供组织的成分和功能信息的新成像技术。它不仅灵敏,可以对较深层的组织进行实时、快速、安全的成像,而且可以利用光声光热造影剂实施非侵入的光热靶向治疗。因此,与光声成像相结合的多模态分子成像是实现精准诊疗的重要技术途径。该文以手持US-PA探头的双模态成像系统,直径为1 mm的血管內窥镜US-PA成像系统,可同时用于术前和术中的US-PA-FL三模态成像系统,以及采用外磁场可操控的磁共振-光声光热分子造影剂、进行MR-PA成像引导的光热治疗技术为例,对多模态光声分子成像系统在医学诊断、手术和光热治疗方面的进展做简单介绍。     

Lensless high-resolution photoacoustic imaging scanner for in vivo skin imaging

We previously launched a high-resolution photoacoustic (PA) imaging scanner based on a unique lensless design for in vivo skin imaging. The design, imaging algorithm and characteristics of the system are described in this paper. Neither an optical lens nor an acoustic lens is used in the system. In the imaging head, four sensor elements are arranged quadrilaterally, and by checking the phase differences for PA waves detected with these four sensors, a set of PA signals only originating from a chromophore located on the sensor center axis is extracted for constructing an image. A phantom study using a carbon fiber showed a depth-independent horizontal resolution of 84.0 ± 3.5 µm, and the scan direction-dependent variation of PA signals was about ± 20%. We then performed imaging of vasculature phantoms: patterns of red ink lines with widths of 100 or 200 μm formed in an acrylic block co-polymer. The patterns were visualized with high contrast, showing the capability for imaging arterioles and venues in the skin. Vasculatures in rat burn models and healthy human skin were also clearly visualized in vivo.     

Utility of biodegradable plasmonic nanoclusters in photoacoustic imaging

Plasmonic metal nanoparticles are used in photoacoustic imaging as contrast agents because of their resonant optical absorption properties in the visible and near-IR regions. However, the nanoparticles could accumulate and result in long-term toxicity in vivo, because they are generally not biodegradable. Recently, biodegradable plasmonic gold nanoclusters, consisting of sub-5 nm primary gold nanoparticles and biodegradable polymer stabilizer, were introduced. In this Letter, we demonstrate the feasibility of biodegradable nanoclusters as a photoacoustic contrast agent. We performed photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging of a tissue-mimicking phantom with inclusions containing nanoclusters at various concentrations. The results indicate that the biodegradable gold nanoclusters can be used as effective contrast agents in photoacoustic imaging.     

Multispectral photoacoustic imaging of fluorochromes in small animals

Fluorochromes have become essential reporter molecules in biological research. We show that the depth-resolved distribution of fluorochromes in small animals can be imaged with 25 fmol sensitivity and 150 microm spatial resolution by means of multispectral photoacoustic imaging. The major advantage of the multispectral approach is the sensitive differentiation of chromophores and fluorochromes of interest based on self-reference measurements, as evidenced in this study by resolving a commonly used fluorochrome (Alexa Fluor 750) in mouse. The suggested method is well suited for enhancing visualization of functional and molecular information in vivo and longitudinally.     

成像深度对光声层析成像的影响

为了研究不同成像深度对光声层析成像质量的影响,利用多元线性阵列探测器在有限方位进行探测成像。由仿真和实验结果表明,吸收体离探测器越近,其成像效果较好,当多元线性阵列探测器的尺寸与成像深度比小于1时,重建图像畸变明显。在这种情况下,采用旋转扫描探测,其成像效果明显提高。该研究结果对光声层析成像扫描轨迹的设计、成像效果评估具有较好的参考价值。     

多参量光声成像及其在生物医学领域的应用

光声成像兼具声学成像和光学成像两者的优点, 因而成为近十年来发展最迅速的生物医学成像技术之一. 本文介绍了光声成像的特点及其相对于广泛应用的光学成像技术和声学成像技术的优点; 其次, 解释了光声成像的成像原理, 在此基础上介绍了光声断层成像和光声显微镜这两种典型的光声成像方案, 并介绍了它们的技术特点; 然后, 介绍了光声成像对生物组织的生化特性、组织力学特性、血液流速分布、温度分布参数、微结构特性等多信息参量的提取能力, 及其在生物系统的结构成像、功能成像、代谢成像、分子成像、基因成像等多领域的应用; 最后, 展望了光声成像在生物医学领域的应用潜力并讨论了其局限性.     

Evaluation of bladder microvasculature with high-resolution photoacoustic imaging

We explored the potential of an emerging laser-based technology, photoacoustic imaging (PAI), for bladder cancer diagnosis through high-resolution imaging of microvasculature in the bladder tissues. Imaging results from ex vivo canine bladders demonstrated the excellent ability of PAI in mapping three-dimensional microvasculature in optically scattering bladder tissues. By comparing the results from human bladder specimens affected by cancer to those from the normal control, the feasibility of PAI to differentiate malignant from benign bladder tissues was also explored. The distinctive morphometric characteristics of tumor microvasculature can be seen in the images from cancer samples, suggesting that PAI may allow in vivo assessment of neoangiogenesis that is closely associated with bladder cancer generation and progression. By presenting subsurface morphological and physiological information in bladder tissues, PAI, when performed in a similar way as in conventional endoscopy, provides an opportunity for improved diagnosis, staging, and treatment guidance of bladder cancer.     

High-resolution photoacoustic microscope for rat brain imaging in vivo

<正>A reflection-mode photoacoustic microscope(PAM) for rat brain imaging in vivo is constructed.A pulsed laser is used as an excitation source,and a focused ultrasound transducer is adopted to collect the photoacoustic signal.Raster scanning is applied to acquire three-dimensional(3D) data.The obtained measurements of the lateral and axial resolutions of the microscope are 45 and 15μm,respectively.The imaging depth in the chicken breast tissue is 3.1 mm at a signal-to-noise ratio(SNR) of 20 dB without any signal averaging.The imaging speed is 30 A-line/s.Experimental results in vivo demonstrate the capability of 3D imaging of the brain vessels of the rat after removing the skull.     

In vivo photoacoustic chorioretinal vascular imaging in albino mouse

Photoacoustic ophthalmoscopy(PAOM) is a novel imaging modality, which is capable of non-invasively detecting optical absorption properties in the retina. We visualize the microvasculature in retina and choroid in albino mouse using PAOM guided by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Since albino mouse characterizes by lacking melanin in retinal pigment epithelium(RPE), PAOM illumination laser can penetrate through the RPE onto choroid, and consequently provides volumetric visualization of chorioretinal vasculatures as a result of strong hemoglobin optical absorption. The high-quality chorioretinal microvascular imaging acquired by PAOM implies its great potential in understanding pathological mechanisms and developing therapeutic strategies for major chorioretinal diseases that correlate with vascular disorders.     

基于光声成像的生物组织微结构定征研究进展

光声成像是一种新兴的复合型生物医学成像技术,它既具有光学成像丰富的光学对比度,又具有声学成像成像深度深、深层组织空间分辨率高的优点.作为一种非侵入式的成像技术,光声成像逐渐显现出极大的生物医学应用潜力.该文首先介绍了光声成像的物理机制,以及光声显微镜和光声计算机断层成像这两种典型的光声成像技术;然后讨论了从光声射频信号...     

Capacitance imaging for the discrimination of lipid region in atherosclerotic plaque ex vivo using polypyrrole-coated multi-walled carbon nanotube multi-electrode array

We have developed a capacitance imaging technique using polypyrrole (PPy)-coated multi walled carbon nanotube multi electrode array (PPy-MWCNT-MEA) for the discrimination of lipid region in atherosclerotic plaque ex vivo. The lipid region in the atherosclerotic plaque ex vivo, derived from apolipoprotein-E receptor-deficient mice, exhibits higher capacitance than does the lipid-free region. This consequently allows the capacitance imaging of the lipid region. The results from this research are consistent with an earlier study, which reported that a relatively high capacitance was measured from free fatty acid-treated adipocyte cells. Compared to the titanium nitride multi electrode array, the PPy-MWCNT-MEA yields better capacitance imaging of the lipid region, which can be ascribed to the improved contact between the PPy-MWCNTs and the atherosclerotic plaque ex vivo.     

Optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy for in vivo imaging of single capillaries

Capillaries, the smallest blood vessels, are the distal end of the vasculature where oxygen and nutrients are exchanged between blood and tissue. Hence, noninvasive imaging of capillaries and function in vivo has long been desired as a window to studying fundamental physiology, such as neurovascular coupling. Existing imaging modalities cannot provide the required sensitivity and spatial resolution. We present in vivo imaging of the microvasculature including single capillaries in mice using optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) developed in our laboratory. OR-PAM provides a lateral resolution of 5 microm and an imaging depth >0.7 mm.     

Studies on the enhancement of photoacoustic signals from non-porous solids in the presence of volatile liquids

Studies have been carried out on the enhancement of photoacoustic signals from non-porous solids in the presence of volatile liquids in order to understand the mechanism of enhancement. Dependence of enhancement on equilibration time, absorption coefficient, length of gas phase, illumination intensity, coupling gas together with influence of wall temperature, and relative vapour pressure have been presented. Experimental results are discussed in terms of existing theories and the role of the adsorbed liquid layer in the enhancement has been emphasized. A brief theoretical discussion has been presented to show that the enhancement is due to the more efficient transfer of heat to the gas phase from the solid.Contribution No. 379 from Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit     

Viscoelasticity imaging of biological tissues with phase-resolved photoacoustic measurement

A method for noninvasive viscoelasticity imaging of biological tissues using phase-resolved photoacoustic measurement is presented. We deduced the process of photoacoustic effect on the basis of thermal viscoelasticity theory, and established the relationship between the photoacoustic phase delay and the viscosity-elasticity ratio for soft solids. Agar phantoms with different densities and different absorption coefficients were used to verify the dependence of photoacoustic phase-resolved viscoelasticity measurements. Moreover, viscoelasticity imaging of tissues was obtained with a photoacoustic point scanning system. The photoacoustic phase-resolved method provides a basis for viscoelasticity imaging, which can potentially be used for detection of viscoelastic properties and lesions of biological tissues.