Science to practice: photoacoustic imaging--can it let us see color and function deep inside the body?

Abstract

Photoacoustic imaging imparts the ability to distinguish materials according to their differences in optical absorption (ie, their colors) with the high spatial and temporal resolution of ultrasonography (US). Experiments in rats demonstrate the advantages this approach would have in the clinically important application of percutaneous sentinel node biopsy. The incorporation of the technique in a conventional US imaging system gives promise of rapid translation to clinical use.