The integration of photoacoustic imaging and high intensity focused ultrasound

Abstract

We have developed an integrated photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) system for solid tumor treatment. A single-element, spherically focused ultrasonic transducer, with a central frequency of 5MHz, was used to generate a HIFU field in soft tissue. The same ultrasonic transducer was also used as a detector during photoacoustic imaging before and after HIFU treatments. During each experiment, targeted soft tissue was first imaged by PAI. The resulted image was used for the planning of subsequent HIFU treatment. After HIFU treatment, the sample was imaged again by PAI to evaluate the treatment result. Good contrast was obtained between photoacoustic images before and after HIFU treatment. It is concluded that PA imaging technology may potentially be combined with HIFU treatment for imaging-guided therapy.