Abstract
Photoacoustic imaging, with the capability to provide simultaneous structural, functional, and molecular information, is one of the fastest growing biomedical imaging modalities of recent times. As a hybrid modality, it not only provides greater penetration depth than the purely optical imaging techniques, but also provides optical contrast of molecular components in the living tissue. Conventionally, photoacoustic imaging systems utilize bulky and expensive class IV lasers, which is one of the key factors hindering the clinical translation of this promising modality. Use of LEDs which are portable and affordable offers a unique opportunity to accelerate the clinical translation of photoacoustics. In this paper, we first review the development history of LED as an illumination source in biomedical photoacoustic imaging. Key developments in this area, from point-source measurements to development of high-power LED arrays, are briefly discussed. Finally, we thoroughly review multiple phantom, ex-vivo, animal in-vivo, human in-vivo, and clinical pilot studies and demonstrate the unprecedented preclinical and clinical potential of LED-based photoacoustic imaging.
Highlights
Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) holds strong potential in providing structural, functional and molecular information on tissue, with scalable resolution and imaging depth [1]
We review the progress of light emitting diodes (LEDs)-based PAI technology and its potential preclinical and clinical applications
This study has demonstrated that PAI could be a noninvasive and highly sensitive method for monitoring deep-seated vascularization in regenerative applications
Summary
Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) holds strong potential in providing structural, functional and molecular information on tissue, with scalable resolution and imaging depth [1]. Most of the commercial and research lab-made PAI systems utilize Q-switched Nd:YAG pumped OPO (optical parametric oscillator), Ti: Sapphire or dye laser systems Because of their high cost, larger footprint and strict requirement for eye-safety goggles and laser-safe rooms, these laser sources are not suitable for a clinical environment. LEDs, which are available in a wide wavelength range (e.g., 470, 520, 620, 660, 690, 750, 820, 850, 940 and 980 nm) provide lower optical energy in the range of μJ per pulse, but at a higher repetition rate (~16 KHz) offering the possibility to average more frames without compromising on temporal resolution. Compared to fixed pulse widths in lasers, the optical pulse width of an LED/LD source can be tuned based on the required spatial resolution and imaging depth [39,40]. We review the progress of LED-based PAI technology and its potential preclinical and clinical applications
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