Handheld 3D photoacoustic scanner could improve disease diagnosis

This technology offers an early marker for disease detection. Unlike previous PAT devices that took several minutes to generate an image, UCL’s scanner captures these images in real time, reducing the scan time to seconds. This significant improvement helps prevent motion-induced blurring and ensures higher-quality images suitable for clinical use. 

Prof. Paul Beard from UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, a senior author of the study published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, explains, "The breakthrough in this study is the acceleration in the time it takes to acquire images, which is between 100 and 1,000 times faster than previous scanners.” He adds, “This speed avoids motion-induced blurring, providing highly-detailed images of a quality that no other scanner can provide."

The research team tested the scanner in a pre-clinical study involving 10 patients with conditions such as type-2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and breast cancer, along with seven healthy volunteers. In patients with diabetes, the scanner generated detailed images of microvasculature in the feet, highlighting changes in blood vessel structure, a potential early indicator of tissue damage. 

This is particularly significant for conditions like peripheral vascular disease (PVD), a common complication of diabetes, where early changes in blood vessels often go undetected by conventional imaging methods. 

The scanner also holds promise for cancer diagnosis. The photoacoustic imaging could help detect tumors and assist surgeons in distinguishing cancerous tissue from healthy tissue. The scanner’s sensitivity to hemoglobin, a light-absorbing molecule, allows it to capture detailed images of blood vessels that conventional imaging tools might miss. 

The UCL team addressed the speed limitations of earlier scanners by designing a system that detects ultrasound waves at multiple points simultaneously, significantly reducing image acquisition time. By applying mathematical principles similar to those used in digital image compression, the scanner produces high-quality images with fewer measurements, speeding up the process and reducing motion blur. 

While the current study shows promising results, the researchers emphasize the need for further testing with larger patient groups. This will help confirm the scanner's clinical effectiveness and broaden its use in medical imaging.  

UCL’s photoacoustic technology could play a key role in early disease diagnosis, offering a non-invasive way to visualize blood vessels and tissue changes that are crucial in managing diseases like cancer, arthritis, and cardiovascular conditions. 

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: University College London