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Photoacoustic tomography is an emerging technique in the field of biomedical imaging that combines the advantages of optics and acoustics. Unlike conventional imaging modalities, which are limited in their ability to provide diverse types of diagnostic information, PAT can offer structural, functional, and molecular biometric imaging using a single modality. This advantage can be utilized in that multiparametric information is required to analyze various aspects of tumor. In this study, we have developed a versatile PAT system for tumor imaging which can provide high-definition and high-speed images. Our system can identify tumor characteristics such as angiogenesis, pharmacokinetics, and physiological functions for both primary and metastatic tumors. During 14 days after tumor cell inoculations, we visualize the angiogenesis and increased tortuosity of blood vessels surrounding the tumor. Additionally, we quantify changes in the oxygen saturation within the entire tumor region, revealing the presence of hypoxia in the tumor core. These findings highlight the ability of our system to provide valuable functional information about tumor physiology. Moreover, our versatile PAT system allows us to observe the organ accumulation characteristics of different contrast agents. With its ability to generate high-quality structural, functional, and molecular photoacoustic images, our system holds promise for advancing the field of biomedical imaging.
Kim et al. (Tue,) studied this question.