Omnidirectional Reflective Photoacoustic Tomography System for High-Resolution Biomedical Imaging

An advanced photoacoustic tomography system providing high-resolution, 360-degree imaging without tissue compression for improved breast cancer screening.

Technology Summary

This technology features an all-reflective optical system that converts collimated light into a converging ring-shaped beam, enabling circumferential illumination of tissue for precise photoacoustic imaging. Incorporating a sequence of specialized mirrors and a ring-shaped acoustic detector, it captures ultrasonic signals efficiently while scanning layer-by-layer along the subject’s axis. The system adapts laser intensity automatically based on real-time distance measurements to ensure uniform energy delivery. Its fully enclosed reflective design eliminates chromatic aberrations, offering faster, deeper, and more uniform imaging compared to traditional methods.

Key Advantages

• High-resolution and high-sensitivity detection without tissue compression
• Automatic laser intensity adjustment for uniform energy deposition
• Chromatic aberration-free imaging through reflective optics
• Layer-by-layer imaging with movable optics and detectors
• Enclosed light path enhancing signal quality and imaging speed

Market Opportunities

• Non-invasive diagnostic imaging in oncology with faster acquisition compared to existing photoacoustic devices
• Breast cancer screening without painful tissue compression
• High-resolution biomedical imaging for soft tissues with improved accuracy  and imaging depth

Stage of Development

Pre-Clinical – in vivo data

Patent Status

Issued 12,369,799

References & Publications

2025 - G. Jin et al "Omnidirectional ultrasound tomographic vector flow imaging with a ring-array transducer" Proc. SPIE 13412, Medical Imaging 2025: Ultrasonic Imaging and Tomography, 134120N (10 April 2025)

2019 – S.S Alshahrani et al “All-reflective ring illumination system for photoacoustic tomography” J Biomed Opt  2019 Apr;24(4):1-7. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.24.4.046004.