title: Real-time photoacoustic imaging system for burn diagnosis.
abstract: We have developed a real-time (8 to 30 fps) photoacoustic (PA) imaging system with a linear-array transducer for burn depth assessment. In this system, PA signals originating from blood in the noninjured tissue layer located under the injured tissue layer are detected and imaged. A compact home-made high-repetition-rate (500 Hz) 532-nm fiber laser was incorporated as a light source. We used an alternating arrangement for the fibers and sensor elements in the probe, which improved the signal-to-noise ratio, reducing the required laser energy power for PA excitation. This arrangement also enabled a hand-held light-weight probe design. A phantom study showed that thin light absorbers embedded in the tissue-mimicking scattering medium at depths >3 mm can be imaged with high contrast. The maximum error for depth measurement was 140 μm. Diagnostic experiments were performed for rat burn models, including superficial dermal burn, deep dermal burn, and deep burn models. Injury depths (zones of stasis) indicated by PA imaging were compared with those estimated by histological analysis, showing discrepancies 200 μm. The system was also used to monitor the healing process of a deep dermal burn. The results demonstrate the potential usefulness of the present system for clinical burn diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: New Concept Product Initiative, Advantest Corporation, 1-5, Shin-tone, Kazo-shi, Saitama 349-1158, Japan.
authors.forename: Taiichiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ida
authors.affiliation: New Concept Product Initiative, Advantest Corporation, 1-5, Shin-tone, Kazo-shi, Saitama 349-1158, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawaguchi
authors.affiliation: National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Division of Biomedical Information Sciences, 3-2, Namiki, Tokorozawa-shi, Saitama 359-8513, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawauchi
authors.affiliation: National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Department of Basic Pathology, 3-2, Namiki, Tokorozawa-shi, Saitama 359-8513, Japan.
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iwaya
authors.affiliation: National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Department of Basic Pathology, 3-2, Namiki, Tokorozawa-shi, Saitama 359-8513, Japan.
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsuda
authors.affiliation: National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Division of Basic Traumatology, 3-2, Namiki, Tokorozawa-shi, Saitama 359-8513, Japan.
authors.forename: Daizoh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Saitoh
authors.affiliation: National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Division of Biomedical Information Sciences, 3-2, Namiki, Tokorozawa-shi, Saitama 359-8513, Japan.
authors.forename: Shunichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.affiliation: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, 2-24-6, Naka-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iwai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003199:Computer Systems; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D008904:Miniaturization; D061088:Photoacoustic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D051381:Rats; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology