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Deep thrombosis characterization using photoacoustic imaging with intravascular light delivery
Yuqi Tang1, Huaiyu Wu2, Paul Klippel3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC USA.
Biomedical Engineering Letters
|May 9, 2022
Summary
This study shows intravascular photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) can accurately assess blood clot age and oxygenation. This advanced imaging technique overcomes depth limitations for better venous thromboembolism (VTE) characterization.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Medical Diagnostics
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE) requires characterizing blood clots for optimal treatment.
- Current imaging methods for thrombus properties have limitations.
- Photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) offers hybrid imaging but faces penetration depth challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To overcome the limited penetration depth of conventional PACT for blood clot characterization.
- To evaluate the feasibility of using intravascular light delivery with PACT for in vitro clot analysis.
- To determine clot age and oxygenation levels using multispectral PACT and acoustic frequency analysis.
Main Methods:
- Developed an intravascular light delivery system using a thin optical fiber for PACT.
- Imaged blood clots with varying acuteness and oxygenation through 10 cm of chicken breast tissue.
- Analyzed photoacoustic signals using frequency analysis and spectral unmixing for oxygenation estimation.
Main Results:
- Intravascular PACT accurately measured clot oxygenation levels, enabling age estimation.
- Retracted and unretracted clots exhibited distinct acoustic frequency spectra.
- PACT findings correlated well with histology and mechanical test results.
Conclusions:
- Intravascular light delivery significantly enhances PACT's capability for deep tissue imaging of blood clots.
- PACT can differentiate clot characteristics, aiding in the diagnosis and management of VTE.
- This technique shows promise for improved in vivo thrombus evaluation.
Keywords:
Blood oxygenationInternal light illuminationPhotoacoustic frequencyPhotoacoustic tomographyRetracted blood clotThrombosisUnretracted blood clot
