Advancements in Photoacoustic Imaging Brighten the Next Decade

Photoacoustic imaging is a hybrid imaging modality that combines both optics and ultrasound. With rich intrinsic optical contrast and high ultrasound resolution at depth, photoacoustic imaging has grown exponentially over the past two decades. With more research to find new application areas, and more companies turning applications into clinical products, the next decade of photoacoustic imaging is bright. Manojit Pramanik and colleagues cover recent trends in the photoacoustic imaging field — including new compact light sources, contrast agents, applications, and the use of machine learning for photoacoustic imaging — and where the field is headed.