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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Integrated Photoacoustic Ophthalmoscopy and Spectral-domain Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: January 15, 2013
Photoacoustic computed tomography of human extremities
Parker Wray1, Li Lin2, Peng Hu3
1California Institute of Technology, Caltech Optical Imaging Laboratory, Department of Electrical Eng, United States.
Abstract:
We present a method of imaging angiographic structures in human extremities, including hands, arms, legs, and feet, using a newly developed photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) system. The system features deep penetration (1.8 cm in muscular tissues) with high spatial and temporal resolutions. A volumetric image is acquired within 5 to 15 s while each cross sectional image is acquired within 100 μs. Therefore, we see no blurring from motion in the imaging plane. Longitudinal and latitudinal cross-sectional images of a healthy volunteer clearly show the vascular network of each appendage and highlight the system's ability to image major and minor vasculatures, without the use of an external contrast or ionizing radiation. We also track heartbeat-induced arterial movement at a two-dimensional frame rate of 10 Hz. This work substantiates the idea that PACT could be used as a noninvasive method for imaging human vasculatures.
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