Photoacoustic tomography has great potential; however, limited detector coverage is a key issue that results in artifacts. While analytical and simulation studies regarding this issue are extensive, experimental setups are lacking. A ring-shaped detector array was rotated and translated to achieve near-full view angle coverage. Following system optimization, phantom imaging of star shape, synthetic breast tumor specimen, and vascular phantoms was performed. Approximately 4000 detectors were needed for high quality images, and phantoms were clearly imaged with minimal artifacts. A near full-view spherical system has been developed, allowing for future work validating experimentally the theoretical advantages of using a full-view setup.
Approximately 19% of breast cancer patients undergoing breast conserving surgery (BCS) must return for a secondary surgery due to incomplete tumour removal. We propose a single sensor, low-frequency hand-held photoacoustic imaging (PAI) probe for detection of residual cancer tissue during BCS within the surgical cavity and on the excised specimen based on lipid content differences. The probe incorporated a single polyvinylidene fluoride acoustic sensor, a 1-to-4 optical fibre bundle and a polycarbonate axicon lens for light delivery. A phantom consisting of nylon strings was imaged to find an optimal scanning geometry and resolution of the probe. The effect of limited angular coverage was evaluated by comparing the PAI results of a phantom mimicking an ex-vivo breast cancer specimen obtained with the hand-held probe and near-full view PAI system. Translation of the probe with 4 mm steps and rotation over 6° steps resulted in lateral and axial resolution of 1.8 mm and 1 mm, respectively. Experiments with the prototype hand-held PAI probe at 930 nm resulted in excellent image contrast exclusively from lipids. Lipid-free gaps mimicking positive margins were clearly visible in the images. Compared to images from the near full-view PAI system, the hand-held PAI probe had a higher signal-to-noise ratio but suffered from more negativity image artefacts. Taken together, the results show that PAI with the hand-held probe has the potential for detection of residual breast cancer tissue during BCS.
KEYWORDS: Sensors, Spherical lenses, Acquisition tracking and pointing, Photoacoustic tomography, Optical spheres, Signal detection, Tumors, Imaging systems, Stars, Signal to noise ratio
Significance: Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is a widely explored imaging modality and has excellent potential for clinical applications. On the acoustic detection side, limited-view angle and limited-bandwidth are common key issues in PAT systems that result in unwanted artifacts. While analytical and simulation studies of limited-view artifacts are fairly extensive, experimental setups capable of comparing limited-view to an ideal full-view case are lacking.Aims: A custom ring-shaped detector array was assembled and mounted to a 6-axis robot, then rotated and translated to achieve up to 3.8π steradian view angle coverage of an imaged object.Approach: Minimization of negativity artifacts and phantom imaging were used to optimize the system, followed by demonstrative imaging of a star contrast phantom, a synthetic breast tumor specimen phantom, and a vascular phantom.Results: Optimization of the angular/rotation scans found ≈212 effective detectors were needed for high-quality images, while 15-mm steps were used to increase the field of view as required depending on the size of the imaged object. Example phantoms were clearly imaged with all discerning features visible and minimal artifacts.Conclusions: A near full-view closed spherical system has been developed, paving the way for future work demonstrating experimentally the significant advantages of using a full-view PAT setup.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedures for liver cancer treatment are hindered by high tumor recurrence. This is thought to be due to the intrinsic limitation of the heating mechanism and insufficient real-time feedback from imaging modalities. Most RFA procedures are performed under ultrasound (US) imaging and there are limitations in accurate device guidance and ablation monitoring. We propose photoacoustic (PA) imaging as a potential add-on to US imaging to address these limitations. Specifically, we present two interstitial PA imaging methods. Firstly, an annular fiber probe that can encapsulate an RFA device in its lumen. This device enables RFA device guidance, visualization of major blood vessels and targeting tumor tissue. Secondly, we used a cylindrical diffuser-based interstitial illumination to differentiate coagulated and native tissue. We present our results on RFA device guidance and ablation visualization using these approaches. The contrast provided by PA imaging for RFA needle and multiple electrodes is compared against that of US images. The difference between coagulated and native ex vivo liver tissue using PA imaging is studied. Finally, we propose a protocol to incorporate the minimally invasive PA imaging for the clinical RFA procedures. We would like to conclude with a note on how the proposed approach can potentially improve the outcome of RFA procedures.
During percutaneous medical interventions, accurate needle placement and advancing to the target of interest is required to avoid complications and to improve clinical outcomes. Therefore, we present a novel photoacoustic (PA) imaging-based approach as a complement to conventional ultrasound (US) imaging for visualization and guidance of interventional needles. To overcome the limitations associated with light penetration with the conventional extracorporeal illumination, we propose an interstitial light delivery to the target of interest by use of a custom-made annular illumination probe (AIP). This probe accommodates an interventional needle (14 gauge) within its lumen, allowing to advance both tools and acquire real-time PAUS images simultaneously. The light is delivered utilizing 72 multimode optical fibers arranged around the circumference of the hollow center of the AIP. Preliminary results show that PA images obtained with the AIP provide with good complementary contrast to the US imaging for visualization of the interventional needles and its guidance to an absorbing target within chicken breast tissue.
During high-dose-rate (HDR) interstitial brachytherapy of gynecologic malignancies, precise placement of multiple needles is necessary to provide optimal dose to the tumor while avoiding overexposing nearby healthy organs, such as the bladder and rectum. Needles are currently placed based on preoperative imaging and clinical examination but there is currently no standard for intraoperative image guidance. We propose the use of a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) system incorporating three scanning geometries: 3D transrectal US (TRUS), 360° 3D sidefire transvaginal US (TVUS), and 3D endfire TVUS, to provide an accessible and versatile tool for intraoperative image guidance during interstitial gynecologic brachytherapy. Images are generated in 12 - 20 s by rotating a conventional two-dimensional US probe, providing a reconstructed 3D image immediately following acquisition. Studies of needles in patient images show mean differences in needle positions of 3.82 ± 1.86 mm and 2.36 ± 0.97 mm in TRUS and sidefire TVUS, respectively, when compared to the clinical x-ray computed tomography (CT) images. A proof-of-concept phantom study of the endfire TVUS mode demonstrated a mean positional difference of 1.91 ± 0.24 mm. Additionally, an automatic needle segmentation tool was tested on a 360° 3D TVUS patient image resulting in a mean angular difference of 0.44 ± 0.19 ° and mean positional difference of 0.78 ± 0.17 mm when compared to manually segmented needles. The implementation of 3D US image guidance during HDR interstitial gynecologic brachytherapy provides a versatile intraoperative system with the potential for improved implant quality and reduced risk to nearby organs.
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