3D photoacoustic imaging of a moving target

We have developed a fast 3D photoacoustic imaging system based on a sparse array of ultrasound detectors and iterative image reconstruction. To investigate the high frame rate capabilities of our system in the context of rotational motion, flow, and spectroscopy, we performed high frame-rate imaging on a series of targets, including a rotating graphite rod, a bolus of methylene blue flowing through a tube, and hyper-spectral imaging of a tube filled with methylene blue under a no flow condition. Our frame-rate for image acquisition was 10 Hz, which was limited by the laser repetition rate. We were able to track the rotation of the rod and accurately estimate its rotational velocity, at a rate of 0.33 rotations-per-second. The flow of contrast in the tube, at a flow rate of 180 μL/min, was also well depicted, and quantitative analysis suggested a potential method for estimating flow velocity from such measurements. The spectrum obtained did not provide accurate results, but depicted the spectral absorption signature of methylene blue , which may be sufficient for identification purposes. These preliminary results suggest that our high frame-rate photoacoustic imaging system could be used for identifying contrast agents and monitoring kinetics as an agent propagates through specific, simple structures such as blood vessels.