A research team led by Professor Chulhong Kim at POSTECH, along with collaborators from Stanford University and Caltech, has developed an advanced continuous rotational scanning photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) system. This cutting-edge technology, combining the principles of optical and ultrasound imaging, enables rapid, high-resolution imaging of living organisms and was recently published in Laser & Photonics Reviews.
The study highlights the growing importance of tracking whole-body dynamics in small animal models to understand complex biological processes and disease progression. Traditional imaging methods like X-ray CT, MRI, PET, and optical imaging each have unique strengths but are often limited in speed, resolution, or molecular specificity. PACT presents a promising alternative by offering structural, functional, and molecular insights, but earlier approaches were hindered by slow imaging speeds and limited viewpoints.
The newly developed PACT system addresses these challenges with a rapidly rotating hemispherical array of ultrasound transducers. This design enables simultaneous data collection, significantly reducing imaging time. Researchers achieved 360° anatomical imaging of a rat’s torso in just nine seconds and completed a full-body scan in 54 seconds, with a remarkable spatial resolution of 212 micrometers (µm). This system also provides detailed visualization of whole-body structures, monitors drug kinetics, and tracks changes in hemoglobin oxygen saturation in live animals.
The ability to observe oxygen saturation in various tissues marks a significant advancement in understanding oxygen transport and distribution within biological systems. This breakthrough underscores the potential of PACT as a transformative tool in biomedical research, combining the speed and depth of ultrasound with the specificity of optical imaging for unprecedented insights into living organisms.
