Rapid rotary-scanning photoacoustic computed tomography for pharmacokinetic monitoring in small animals

Enhancing the monitoring of dynamic changes in organs is crucial for understanding biological processes and diseases. Current small-animal imaging techniques have limitations in contrast, sensitivity, and spatial/temporal resolution. We propose a rapid rotary-scanning photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) approach that addresses these limitations. Using a rapid rotary-scanning technique with a hemispherical transducer array, we monitor dynamic change in mice. Leveraging the near-infrared spectral window, our method enables visualization of deep-seated structures across multiple planes in living mammalian organs. Our results demonstrate high image quality, rich spectroscopic contrast, and improved temporal resolution. PACT holds significant potential as a valuable tool for studying pharmacokinetics in preclinical research, offering insights into complex biological processes and facilitating the development of targeted therapeutics.