Deep reflection-mode photoacoustic imaging of internal organs

Abstract

A deep reflection-mode photoacoustic imaging system was developed and demonstrated to possess a maximum imaging depth up to 38 mm in chicken breast tissue. Using this system, structures in the thoracic cavity and vasculature in cervical area of rats were clearly imaged. Particularly, part of the heart was imaged. In the thoracic cavity, the right atrium imaged, which is one of deepest, was situated ~7 mm deep. In the cervical area, common carotid artery and jugular vein were imaged, which are appropriate for the study of oxygenation between artery and vein. In the abdominal cavity, the embedded structures of a kidney, spinal cord, and vena cava inferior were also clearly imaged in situ and in vivo. The depth of the vena cava inferior was as deep as ~15 mm in vivo. This study shows the depth capability of the system in animals. This imaging modality can be a useful tool to diagnose the disease of organs by assessing the morphological and functional changes in the blood vessels and the organs.