Development of multidomain simulations to analyse the source of artifacts in photoacoustic imaging

• Grant number: 22/05372-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2022
• End date: June 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Medical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Theo Zeferino Pavan
• Grantee: Carolina Moravec de Viana Borges
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06728-2 - Photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging for theranostic purposes, AP.JP2

Abstract

Photoacoustic imaging consists of a medical imaging modality that, based on the photoacoustic effect, allows the identification of the characteristics of various biological tissues. Due to its essentially optical nature, it allows the identification of features related to the molecular composition of those tissues, such as the degree of oxygenation of the blood. However, for the same reason, eventual "absorbing elements" found in the patient's skin, such as scars and large concentrations of hair and melanin, can lead to the occurrence of artifacts in the images and, hence, impair their quality. In this project, we study how the positioning of the light source (laser) and the transducer, in relation to an "absorber" element, is related to the occurrence of artifacts in the photoacoustic image. Computer simulations in regard to the propagation of optical and acoustic radiation in tissues are being carried out, in situations of acquisition of photoacoustic images similar to those already described in the literature. Experimental measurements will also be made using phantoms that mimic tissues, in order to validate the results obtained from the simulations.(AU)