Abstract
Photoacoustic (PA) signal analysis based on ultrasonic wave detection can provide both high-sensitivity optical contrast information and micro-architectural information which is highly related with the chemical composition of tissue. In this study, the feasibility assessment of bone composition assessment was investigated using the multi-wavelength PA analysis (MWPA) method which could reflect the molecular information. By illuminating a bone specimen using a laser light with wavelength over an optical spectrum ranging from 680 to 950 nm, the optical absorption spectrum of the bone was acquired. Then, with the optical absorption spectra of all optical absorption chemical components in the known bone, a spectral unmixing procedure was performed to quantitatively assess the relative content of each chemical component. The experimental results from rabbit bones show that MWPA method can be used to assess chemical components related to bone metabolism. Our study confirmed that PA technique can be used as a novel bone diagnostic technique by providing new information about the quantity of bone and identifying biomarkers of bone that can improve the current diagnostic imaging techniques.
Highlights
Osteoporosis, a serious public health threat with significant physical, psychological and economic impacts, is expected to increase in association with worldwide aging of the population
The Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) bone assessment method is primarily based on the measurement of sound velocity (SOS) and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) through a given tissue
Bone quantity and quality are dependent on the mass and structure of non-organic mineral matrix and the organic matrix which is associated with the bone blood flow and cellular metabolism
Summary
Osteoporosis, a serious public health threat with significant physical, psychological and economic impacts, is expected to increase in association with worldwide aging of the population. Most clinically used non-invasive assessment methods are based on the use of X-ray or ultrasound [2, 3]. These methods, in spite of the applicability to measure bone mineral density (BMD) as well as some mechanical properties, have limited sensitivity to monitor the chemical or molecular changes in the bone. Bone quantity and quality are dependent on the mass and structure of non-organic mineral matrix and the organic matrix which is associated with the bone blood flow and cellular metabolism
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