Integrated system for ultrasonic, photoacoustic and elasticity imaging

A hybrid imaging system is proposed for cancer detection, diagnosis and therapy monitoring by integrating three complementary imaging techniques - ultrasound, photoacoustic and elasticity imaging. Indeed, simultaneous imaging of the anatomy (ultrasound imaging), cancer-induced angiogenesis (photoacoustic imaging) and changes in biomechanical properties (elasticity imaging) of tissue is based on many synergistic features of these modalities and may result in a unique and important imaging tool. To facilitate the design and development of a real-time imaging system for clinical applications, we have investigated the core components of the imaging system using numerical simulations. Differences and similarities between each imaging technique were considered and contrasted. The results of our study suggest that the integration of ultrasound, photoacoustic and elasticity imaging is possible using a custom designed imaging system.