Recent advances in photoacoustic tomography

Area of Science:

• Biomedical imaging
• Optical imaging
• Ultrasound imaging

Background:

• Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) integrates optical molecular contrast with ultrasound's high resolution for deep tissue imaging.
• PAT has broad applications in biological science, preclinical research, and clinical trials.
• Significant recent progress has been made in PAT technologies and applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in Photoacoustic Tomography (PAT).
• To highlight innovations in PAT systems, molecular probes, and data processing.
• To discuss the future potential of PAT in biomedicine.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent technical innovations in PAT systems for small-animal and human imaging.
• Development and application of novel optical probes for molecular imaging.
• Implementation of broad-spectrum PAT for label-free tissue imaging.
• Utilizing high-throughput snapshot photoacoustic topography.
• Integration of machine learning for PAT image reconstruction and processing.

Main Results:

• Advanced PAT systems are enabling enhanced small-animal and human imaging capabilities.
• New optical probes are improving molecular contrast in PAT.
• Broad-spectrum and snapshot PAT techniques offer label-free and high-throughput imaging.
• Machine learning integration is optimizing PAT image reconstruction and analysis.

Conclusions:

• Recent progress has significantly advanced Photoacoustic Tomography (PAT).
• PAT technologies are becoming more sophisticated and versatile.
• Further technical developments are expected to expand PAT's impact in biomedicine.