Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
09:43
Hand-held Clinical Photoacoustic Imaging System for Real-time Non-invasive Small Animal Imaging
Published on: October 16, 2017
An ingestible light source for deep photoacoustic imaging
David C Garrett1, Lihong V Wang1
1Caltech Optical Imaging Laboratory, Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
Photoacoustics
|June 15, 2026
Summary
This study introduces an acoustically powered device for deep-tissue photoacoustic imaging, overcoming light delivery limitations. This innovation enables optical imaging deep within tissues, expanding photoacoustic tomography applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical optics
- Medical imaging technologies
- Ultrasound applications
Background:
- Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) uses ultrasound for deep tissue optical imaging.
- Conventional PAT is limited by light attenuation, restricting imaging depth to centimeters.
- Internal optical excitation is needed for deeper PAT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for deep-tissue photoacoustic imaging.
- To overcome the limitations of external light delivery in conventional PAT.
- To enable PAT in clinically relevant depths and previously inaccessible regions.
Main Methods:
- A compact, acoustically powered device was designed for internal optical excitation.
- Low-MHz ultrasound energy wirelessly powers a pulsed laser diode within the target medium.
- Photoacoustic signals generated by emitted light pulses encode optical absorption.
Main Results:
- The system successfully overcomes the optical attenuation limit of conventional PAT.
- Demonstrated deep-tissue imaging through a 12 cm thick phantom.
- Achieved clinically relevant imaging depths previously inaccessible.
Conclusions:
- Acoustically powered internal optical excitation enables deep-tissue photoacoustic imaging.
- This approach expands the potential applications of photoacoustic tomography.
- Paves the way for novel diagnostic capabilities in deep tissues and organs.
