High frequency intravascular photoacoustic (IVPA) imaging for differentiating arterial wall layered structures
Abstract
Arterial wall is composed of three layers: intima, media and adventitia. Intima-media thickness (IMT) is an important prognostic indicator of atherosclerotic diseases. Although intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging is a commonly used method for delineation of the layered structures, it is inferior to the optical absorption contrast offered by intravascular photoacoustic (IVPA) imaging. We introduce an integrated miniature probe that combines the capabilities of IVUS and IVPA imaging for the evaluation of arterial wall layered structures. Healthy rabbit aorta was imaged ex vivo. IVPA results showed superior contrast over IVUS in identifying the layered structures of arterial wall. © 2012 SPIE.
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