title: Initial results of finger imaging using photoacoustic computed tomography.
abstract: We present a photoacoustic computed tomography investigation on a healthy human finger, to image blood vessels with a focus on vascularity across the interphalangeal joints. The cross-sectional images were acquired using an imager specifically developed for this purpose. The images show rich detail of the digital blood vessels with diameters between 100 μm and 1.5 mm in various orientations and at various depths. Different vascular layers in the skin including the subpapillary plexus could also be visualized. Acoustic reflections on the finger bone of photoacoustic signals from skin were visible in sequential slice images along the finger except at the location of the joint gaps. Not unexpectedly, the healthy synovial membrane at the joint gaps was not detected due to its small size and normal vascularization. Future research will concentrate on studying digits afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis to detect the inflamed synovium with its heightened vascularization, whose characteristics are potential markers for disease activity.
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Biomedical Photonic Imaging Group, MIRA Institute, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van Es
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Biomedical Photonic Imaging Group, MIRA Institute, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Samir K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.affiliation: Ziekenhuis Groep Twente, Department of Rheumatology, Postbus 546, 7550 AM Hengelo, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hein J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Bernelot Moens
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Biomedical Photonic Imaging Group, MIRA Institute, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wiendelt
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Steenbergen
authors.affiliation: University of Twente, Biomedical Photonic Imaging Group, MIRA Institute, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Srirang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manohar
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000465:Algorithms; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000098:blood supply*; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D061088:Photoacoustic Techniques; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed