Photoacoustic microscopy and computed tomography: from bench to bedside

Annu Rev Biomed Eng. 2014 Jul 11:16:155-85. doi: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-071813-104553. Epub 2014 May 28.

Abstract

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) of biological tissue has seen immense growth in the past decade, providing unprecedented spatial resolution and functional information at depths in the optical diffusive regime. PAI uniquely combines the advantages of optical excitation and those of acoustic detection. The hybrid imaging modality features high sensitivity to optical absorption and wide scalability of spatial resolution with the desired imaging depth. Here we first summarize the fundamental principles underpinning the technology, then highlight its practical implementation, and finally discuss recent advances toward clinical translation.

Keywords: biomedical imaging; cancer diagnosis; human imaging; label-free imaging; small-animal imaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acoustics
  • Brain / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Equipment Design
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Mammography / methods
  • Models, Statistical
  • Optics and Photonics
  • Oximetry / methods
  • Photoacoustic Techniques / methods*
  • Photons
  • Pressure
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*