Photo-acoustic imaging can effectively image the structure and function of biological tissues, providing an important means to study the morphology and structure of biological tissues, physiological features, pathological features, metabolic functions, etc. It is especially suitable for the early detection of cancer and treatment monitoring. Currently, photoacoustic imaging technology is mostly used for scientific research, and photoacoustic imaging has become a rapidly developing research field. Nowadays, photoacoustic technology is gradually moving from the microscopic laboratory stage to the macroscopic clinical practice stage.
Photo-acoustic imaging can be used for:
1. Cardiovascular research: in-depth study of cardiovascular diseases (angiogenesis/growth, myocarditis, thrombosis, infarction, etc.) on small animals in vivo, and the system can output quantitative data on hemoglobin concentration and blood oxygen saturation.
2. Drug metabolism research: Using molecular imaging technology, real-time monitoring of the movement of the labeled drug in the animal body, so as to determine whether the drug can accurately reach the target area and metabolic pathway, as well as therapeutic effect evaluation.
3. Tumor research: Directly and rapidly measure and track the growth and metastasis of tumors and the accompanying angiogenic process in various cancer models, such as liver cancer models, bone metastasis models, etc.; and conduct real-time imaging and analysis of the changes in hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation, and the effect of inhibition of angiogenesis on the growth and metastasis of tumors (or cancer treatment).
4. Gene Expression: Observe and study gene expression, cell or tissue specificity, and its therapeutic response in living animals.
5. Stem cell and immune research: Labeling cells, real-time observation of stem cell therapeutic effects in animals, and use in anti-tumor immunotherapy.
6. Bacterial and viral research: By labeling bacteria and viruses with specific fluorescent probes, we can study the process of infestation. Transgenic animal models: such as disease models in mice and rats.
7. Early diagnosis of disease: molecular imaging can be used to detect lesions at the molecular level, encounter pathological changes as the basis for judging the diagnosis of disease, to achieve early diagnosis of disease.
And other applications: such as molecular optics, brain science research.