Microwave-induced thermoacoustic microscopy based on short-pulse microwave and high-frequency point-focused ultrasonic transducer.

Background: As an emerging hybrid imaging modality, microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging (MITAI) provides high contrast and deep tissue penetration, and has been extensively applied in cancer diagnosis, arthritis detection, and brain research. However, the previous studies had a limited spatial resolution of about 0.45-1.

Noninvasive optoacoustic imaging of breast tumor microvasculature in response to radiotherapy.

Detailed insight into the radiation-induced changes in tumor microvasculature is crucial to maximize the efficacy of radiotherapy against breast cancer. Recent advances in imaging have enabled precise targeting of solid lesions. However, intratumoral heterogeneity makes treatment planning and monitoring more challenging.

Evaluation of Tracheal Stenosis in Rabbits Using Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography.

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) and multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) are evolving technologies that are capable of delivering real-time, high-resolution images of tissues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using PAT and MSOT for detecting histology in a rabbit tracheal stenosis model.
 A total of 12 rabbits (9 stenosis and three control) were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C and D).

First assessment of thermoacoustic tomography for in vivo detection of rheumatoid arthritis in the finger joints detection of rheumatoid arthritis in the finger joints.

Background: The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is complicated because of the complexity of symptoms and joint structures. Current clinical imaging techniques for the diagnosis of RA have strengths and weaknesses. Emerging imaging techniques need to be developed for the diagnosis or auxiliary diagnosis of RA.

Technical Note: Compact thermoacoustic imaging system based on a low-cost and miniaturized microwave generator for in vivo biomedical imaging.

Purpose: Most of existing thermoacoustic imaging (TAI) studies generally utilized a linear modulator-based high peak power magnetron generator (MG) for efficient TA signal excitation. However, a linear modulator-based MG is bulky and expensive. Here we present a low-cost and compact thermoacoustic imaging (TAI) system based on a miniaturized MG.

Integrated thermoacoustic and ultrasound imaging based on the combination of a hollow concave transducer array and a linear transducer array.

To integrate the high resolution of ultrasound imaging (UI) and the high tissue specificity of thermoacoustic imaging (TAI) and to achieve an easy and precise co-registration of the two different imaging modalities, we present and demonstrate a hybrid thermoacoustic and ultrasound (TA/US) imaging system based on the combination of a novel hollow concave array and a commercial linear array. This TA/US imaging system can provide enhanced imaging of both tissues' mechanical and dielectric properties. We verified the effective imaging performance of the hybrid TA/US system using tissue phantom experiments.

Photoacoustic imaging of hemodynamic changes in forearm skeletal muscle during cuff occlusion.

Characterizations of circulatory and metabolic function in skeletal muscle are of great importance in clinical settings. Here in this study, we investigate the utility of photoacoustic tomography (PAT) to monitor the hemodynamic changes in forearm skeletal muscle during cuff occlusion. We show high quality photoacoustic (PA) images of human forearm in comparison with ultrasound images.

Thermoacoustic tomography of germinal matrix hemorrhage in neonatal mouse cerebrum.

Background: Microwave-induced thermoacoustic tomography (TAT) has potential for detecting germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH). However, it has not been demonstrated in vivo.

Objective: To demonstrate the feasibility of TAT for in vivo detecting GMH by using neonatal mouse.

Technical Note: Anti-phase microwave illumination-based thermoacoustic tomography of in vivo human finger joints.

Purpose: Thermoacoustic tomography (TAT) has been studied to image joints. While several joint tissues could be thermoacoustically imaged, tendons and bone could not be recovered completely or clearly. The purpose of this study was to overcome this limitation.

Thermoacoustic Tomography of In Vivo Human Finger Joints.

Objective: the purpose of this study was to demonstrate the potential of thermoacoustic tomography (TAT) to reveal anatomic structures of in vivo human finger joints.

Methods: all the participating volunteers provided written informed consent. Eight healthy middle and index fingers from five volunteers were imaged in vivo by our TAT imaging system.

Thermoacoustic imaging of rabbit knee joints.

Purpose: Knee joint is one of the largest and most complex joints of the body. Knee joint diseases are common, and current clinical imaging technologies such as x-ray computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound imaging have limitations in the diagnosis of knee joint diseases. Emerging imaging technologies such as diffuse optical tomography and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) have been applied to the detection of osteoarthritis (OA).