title: Photoacoustics, thermoacoustics, and acousto-optics for biomedical imaging.
abstract: Recently there have been significant advances in developing hybrid techniques combining electromagnetic waves with ultrasound for biomedical imaging, namely photoacoustic, thermoacoustic, and acousto-optic (or ultrasound modulated optical) tomography. All three techniques take advantage of tissue contrast offered by electromagnetic (EM) waves, while achieving good spatial resolution in deeper tissue facilitated by ultrasound. In this review the principles of the three techniques are introduced. A description of existing experimental and image reconstruction techniques is provided. Some recent key developments are highlighted and current issues in each of the areas are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK. mengxing.tang@ic.ac.uk
authors.forename: M-X
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Elson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dunsby
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Eckersley
mesh_terms: D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D013817:Thermography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*