Photoacoustic Imaging: Ultrasound in colour by Ben Keenlyside, hosted by IOP West Midlands Branch

Photoacoustic Imaging: Ultrasound in colour by Ben Keenlyside, Research Fellow in Photoacoustic Wavefront Shaping, Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham. Hosted by IOP West Midlands Branch, Birmingham Centre. Medical imaging plays a vital role in diagnosis and treatment, with techniques like ultrasound, MRI, X-ray, and OCT each offering unique insights into the body. A newer technique, photoacoustic imaging, is now emerging as a powerful addition to this toolkit. It works by sending short pulses of laser light into the body, which generate ultrasound waves from within tissues. This combination allows us to harness the rich spectral information provided by light, such as how different tissues absorb different wavelengths, while also benefiting from the 3D imaging capabilities of ultrasound. The result is high-resolution, non-invasive imaging of structures like blood vessels, which are often invisible to conventional methods. In this talk, Mr Keenlyside will explain the physics behind photoacoustic imaging and show how its applications are being explored in areas ranging from vascular imaging to functional measurements like blood oxygenation. He will also explore some of the exciting frontiers in the field, including the development of new detectors and probes, and efforts to push the boundaries of resolution, depth, and imaging speed. These advances are unlocking new capabilities and bringing photoacoustic imaging closer to clinical use.