Lori Bridal | Searcharxiv

arXiv2026

Simultaneous 3D co-registered perfusion and oxygenation with ULM, photoacoustic imaging, and a planar matrix array

Objective. Joint assessment of tissue oxygenation and microvascular perfusion could offer valuable insights into vascular function across a wide range of biomedical applications. Multispectral photoacoustic imaging enables the evaluation of blood oxygenation, while ultrasound localization microscopy provides sub-diffraction visualization of the microvasculature and blood perfusion. Here, we combine these two complementary modalities to simultaneously generate co-registered, volumetric maps of blood oxygenation and perfusion. Approach. Photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound localization microscopy are both ultrasound-based techniques. We developed an imaging platform that integrates the two modalities using a single planar ultrasonic matrix array, a state-of-the-art array for 3D ultrasound localization microscopy. The bimodal platform was validated in vitro using vessel-mimicking phantoms, then in vivo in mice. Main results. In vitro bimodal images of tubes injected with contrast agents demonstrated a coregistration accuracy of 20 $μ$m and revealed complementary structural and functional information. Multispectral photoacoustic imaging achieved oxygen saturation measurements spanning the physiological range (60-95 %) with 5 % accuracy using only five optical wavelengths. In vivo imaging of healthy mouse tissues with known vascular anatomy further demonstrated the ability of the proposed platform to jointly characterize blood oxygenation and microvascular perfusion. Significance. This work experimentally validates a bimodal photoacoustic imaging-ultrasound localization microscopy approach using a planar ultrasound array. We characterized the functional imaging performance of this platform and identified limited-view artifacts inherent to this array configuration in photoacoustic imaging. These findings establish a foundation for adopting the platform in future studies of murine models and for advancing this promising bimodal approach.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2019

3-D Longitudinal Imaging of Tumor Angiogenesis in Mice in Vivo Using Ultrafast Doppler Tomography

Angiogenesis, the formation of new vessels, is one of the key mechanisms in tumor development and an appealing target for therapy. Non-invasive, high-resolution, high sensitivity, quantitative 3D imaging techniques are required to correctly depict tumor heterogeneous vasculature over time. Ultrafast Doppler was recently introduced and provides an unprecedented combination of resolution, penetration depth and sensitivity without requiring any contrast agents. The technique was further extended to 3D with Ultrafast Doppler Tomography (UFD-T). In this work, UFD-T was applied to the monitoring of tumor angiogenesis in vivo providing structural and functional information at different stages of development. UFD-T volume renderings showed that our murine model's vasculature stems from pre-existing vessels and sprouts to perfuse the whole volume as the tumor grows until a critical size is reached. Then, as the network becomes insufficient, the tumor core is no longer irrigated because the vasculature is mainly concentrated in the periphery. In addition to spatial distribution and growth patterns, UFD-T allowed a quantitative analysis of vessel size and length, revealing that the diameter-distribution of vessels remained relatively constant throughout tumor growth. The network is dominated by small vessels at all stages of tumor development with more than 74% of the vessels less than 200 $μ$m in diameter. This study also showed that cumulative vessel length is more closely related to tumor radius than volume, indicating that the vascularization becomes insufficient when a critical mass is reached. UFD-T was also compared with dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCE-US) and shown to provide complementary information regarding the link between structure and perfusion. In conclusion, UFD-T is capable of an in vivo quantitative assessment of the development of tumor vasculature (vessels with blood speed >1mm/s (sensitivity limit) assessed with a resolution limit of 80 $μ$m) in 3D. The technique has very interesting potential as a tool for treatment monitoring, response assessment and treatment planning for optimal drug efficiency.

eess.IV↗