Hand-held optoacoustic imaging: A review.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Optoacoustic imaging uses light and sound for tissue imaging based on optical absorption.
• It shows promise for clinical applications like cancer diagnosis and wound healing.
• Recent developments focus on portable, hand-held optoacoustic devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advancements in hand-held optoacoustic imaging platforms and methods.
• To highlight recent pre-clinical applications of this technology.
• To identify limitations hindering clinical translation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent publications on hand-held optoacoustic imaging.
• Analysis of pre-clinical studies showcasing device applications.
• Identification of technical and clinical barriers to adoption.

Main Results:

• Significant progress in developing hand-held optoacoustic imaging systems.
• Demonstrated utility in various pre-clinical settings.
• Key challenges remain in cost, usability, and regulatory approval.

Conclusions:

• Hand-held optoacoustic imaging is advancing rapidly towards clinical use.
• Addressing current limitations is crucial for broader adoption.
• Further research and development will enhance its clinical impact.