The perfect combination of photoacoustic imaging and near-infrared optical imaging: technical principle and application introduction

March 31, 2024

The perfect combination of photoacoustic imaging and near-infrared optical imaging

1. Photoacoustic imaging combined with near-infrared optics, the fusion of two imaging modes:

The principle of near-infrared ultrasound imaging technology: When the near-infrared pulsed laser is irradiated onto the biological tissue, the biological tissue absorbs the light energy to generate thermal expansion, and the energy released in the pulse gap shrinks. High-frequency ultrasonic waves are generated along with the process of thermal expansion and contraction, and the amount of absorbed light energy determines the intensity of the generated ultrasonic waves. Because different tissues absorb different near-infrared light, ultrasonic waves of different intensities are generated. This technique is ideal for angiography because hemoglobin is an endogenous contrast agent for near-infrared ultrasound imaging. Using this technique, it can be used to distinguish between normal and diseased tissue in oncology research (because cancer cells are very rich in blood vessels). In addition, photoacoustic imaging technology detects ultrasonic signals (this technology overcomes the insufficiency of pure optical imaging technology in imaging depth and resolution), reflecting the difference in light energy absorption (supplemented pure ultrasound imaging technology in contrast) And functional defects), combined with the advantages of both near-infrared optics and ultrasound imaging techniques, can achieve a combination of high-resolution, high-contrast, high-sensitivity structural imaging and functional imaging of large depths of tissue. And it can perform tomographic imaging of the region of interest (tumor site), and the effect is better than small animal CT. And near-infrared imaging is especially suitable for in vivo imaging due to its deep penetrating power and low tissue background; and the system is equipped with a near-infrared real-time imaging system that can guide the operation of small animals and even large animals in real time. With the aid of the contrast agent, the detection and imaging of the target site can be completed, and the subtle operation of the operation can be guided. Therefore, the imaging platform can not only complete the unmarked tissue structure and functional imaging (photoacoustic part), but also complete the navigation of the surgery (near-infrared optics) under the enhancement effect of the contrast agent, which is the scientific research quantitative research and translational medicine. Binding product.

The near-infrared ultrasound imaging platform is a non-destructive medical imaging method developed in recent years. It combines the high contrast characteristics of pure optical imaging with the high penetration depth of pure ultrasound imaging to provide high resolution and high contrast tissue imaging. . It can perform 3D quantitative analysis on tissue, complete tomography scan of multi-wavelength excitation, and guide the operation process of animal model in real time. It is an emerging non-destructive medical imaging method in recent years and an indispensable tool in animal model research. one.

At present, most of the articles using near-infrared ultrasound technology are published in international frontier magazines, such as nature, which represents a new trend in the development of small animal imaging, and also brings technological innovation to small animal imaging. Therefore, the ability to purchase this platform will greatly improve the level of scientific research and technology, and shorten the technological gap with leading international laboratories.

The near-infrared optics are compatible with photoacoustic imaging in the selection of dyes, probes, or contrast agents, because the wavelength of photoacoustic imaging is in the near-infrared region, so from the experimental design, it is possible to achieve complete and photoacoustic Imaging synchronization. No need to design and add additional probes or contrast agents, you can synchronize the confirmed experiments in real time, saving research costs and ensuring the reliability of data comparison.

The near-infrared optics feature real-time optical imaging that continuously images the subject and records it into a continuous dynamic movie, observing the time distribution of the probe or contrast agent in the body. This real-time imaging is also open, that is, no professional darkroom is needed, and animals do not need anesthesia, as long as the near-infrared optical probe is aimed at the animal. This simple and easy-to-use operation does not require special test conditions, making NIR optics more practical. Because of its real-time imaging and real-time recording characteristics, it has a particularly important practical significance for some probes that absorb faster and clear faster. Fluorescence signal changes at any one time period can be completely captured without missing signal information for a certain period of time.

The near-infrared optics have greater animal adaptability and can be used in large animals such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, sheep, pigs, and horses. This is a feature that other imaging devices do not have.

The near-infrared optics are particularly well suited for tumor imaging studies. Tumors are also relatively fast for the absorption of probes, and real-time imaging analysis of tumors can be performed using this module. The AngioStamp-specific fluorescent dye used in this module is well suited for the analysis of tumor angiogenesis. In the continuous real-time imaging analysis mode, the entire continuous process of absorption, deposition, and removal of the fluorescent probe inside and outside the tumor can be clearly recorded. Moreover, there is no need to anesthetize the animal and any other experimental interventions, so as to ensure the natural state of the animal to the greatest extent and ensure the reliability of scientific research data.

In the field of vascular and lymphatic research, the near-infrared optics can also play a larger role. Real-time imaging of blood vessels and lymphoids can be achieved using the SentiDye special dyes supplied with the module. It is of course also possible to use other probe dyes at this wavelength used in the respective laboratory.

The near-infrared optics can be used for the study of drug metabolism. The distribution of drugs in the body has been the focus of drug researchers. After the drug is attached to the near-infrared fluorescent dye, the distribution and metabolism of the drug in the body can be studied under the module. Moreover, this kind of research is a real-time dynamic process, and does not lose any time point. With the analysis software, quantitative analysis of the fluorescent signal can be realized, and some quantitative data of pharmacokinetics can be obtained.

The near-infrared optics are more particularly suitable for translational medical research, and because of its greater animal adaptability, it has a major impetus for translational medical research. It can even be used for research purposes in translational medicine for scientific research purposes. Endra was founded by Enlight Biosciences, a group of seven pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, Lilly, Novartis and Astra. The history of Endra's development of photoacoustics dates back to 2001 and has a history of 13 years. Endra has been conducting applied research in cancer biology and probe development for more than seven years. At present, the Endra Nexus128 photoacoustic system has the largest installed capacity in the world, with the largest number of users and the highest frequency of use. For example, Stanford University is preparing to buy a second Endra. The inventor of the photoacoustic system Professor Wang Lihong from St. Louis is a scientific advisor to Endra, and Professor Sam Gambhir from Stanford University is also a scientific consultant at Endra. These two masters in the field of biomedical imaging are also editors or editors of many scientific journals in the field. Endra's good relationship with them can lay a good foundation for the publication of research papers.

2. Near-infrared optics (real-time open imaging) other applications:

Tumor biology, tumor dynamic monitoring-metastasis, proliferation, tumor treatment efficacy evaluation, real-time guidance of tumor resection, establishment of tumor animal model, tumor neovascularization, regional drainage lymph node imaging, pharmacy, drug targeted therapy, drug metabolism distribution, Vascular biology, vascular network imaging, arteriovenous imaging, vascular access guidance.

Other areas: real-time surgical guidance, large animal imaging, evaluation of fluorescent dyes, and in vivo distribution of biomolecules.

3. Cooperate with clinical projects in the future:

Near-infrared surgical navigation system

• Fluorescent contrast agents have been widely used clinically, such as FITC, ICG, methyl blue, etc., for angiography, liver function tests and tracer of sentinel lymph nodes.
• Fluorescent contrast agents are low in toxicity, so clinical use is safe for both patients and healthcare professionals.
• Fluorescent contrast agents for angiography can replace traditional digital subtraction (DSA) techniques to reduce radiation for patients and healthcare professionals.
• Fluorescence imaging technology is widely used in surgery such as hepatobiliary surgery, coronary artery bypass grafting, flap transplantation, cosmetic reconstruction, etc.
• Fluorescence imaging technology has been used in Image-Guided Surgery, and it has been rated as one of the top 10 advances in surgical surgery in 2011 by academic journals.
• Intraoperative fluorescence imaging technology for high-sensitivity intraoperative navigation systems and high (tumor)-specific fluorescent contrast agents for tumor surgery.

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