Advancements and Innovations in Photoacoustic Imaging: Pioneering Techniques and Clinical Applications in Biomedical Research

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosignal Processing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 658

Special Issue Editors


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Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Interests: nano biotechnology; nanomedicine; organic chemistry; bioimaging; biosensor
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Interests: nanomaterials; contrast agents; nanotherapeutics; molecular imaging
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KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Interests: plasmonic nanomaterials; surface enhanced raman scattering; biosensing; bioimaging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) has emerged as a transformative biomedical imaging modality that seamlessly integrates high-contrast optical imaging with the high spatial resolution and penetration depth of ultrasound. This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest advancements and innovations in PAI technology, focusing on basics, engineering, and their clinical applications in various fields of biomedical research. The contributions within this Issue encompass a comprehensive overview of recent developments in PAI instrumentation, which have significantly enhanced imaging speed, resolution, and depth penetration. Techniques such as photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) and photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) are explored in detail, showcasing their applications in preclinical settings as well as in human imaging scenarios. The Issue emphasizes technological advancements that enable multi-contrast imaging, providing insight into molecular and functional changes in tissues with remarkable specificity.

Moreover, this Issue delves into the clinical applications of PAI, highlighting its role in cancer detection, vascular imaging, and the study of brain function as well as biopsy and surgery guidance. The potential of PAI to visualize tumor vasculature and angiogenesis represents a significant breakthrough in oncology, while its application in monitoring various cardiovascular conditions demonstrate its relevance in cardiology and rheumatology. Additionally, the contributions discuss the integration of novel contrast agents, specifically focusing on exogenous nanoparticles and dyes that enhance the sensitivity and specificity of PAI. These advancements enable targeted imaging of pathological tissues, further enhancing diagnostic capabilities.

This Special Issue invites contributions that explore the diagnostic capabilities of PAI, its integration with other imaging modalities, advancements in targeted contrast agents, and its implications for patient management. The goal is to illuminate the multifaceted applications of photoacoustic imaging, not only to expand the toolkit available to clinicians but also to enhance patient outcomes significantly. By advancing research in this promising area, we aspire to bridge the gap between technological innovation and clinical practice in the fight against various biomedical issues.

Dr. Praveen Kumar Panangattukara Prabhakaran
Dr. Taeho Kim
Prof. Dr. Dong-Kwon Lim
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • tomography
  • deep tissue imaging
  • photoacoustic imaging
  • contrast agents
  • probes
  • nanoparticles
  • clinical applications
  • multimode imaging

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 2326 KB  
Article
Bridging Photoacoustic and Protoacoustic Imaging: Material Heterogeneity Effects on Proton Range Verification Using Time-of-Flight Analysis
by Sangwoon Jeong, Wonjoong Cheon, Youngyih Han and Sungkoo Cho
Bioengineering 2025, 12(10), 1123; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12101123 - 20 Oct 2025
Viewed by 365
Abstract
Photoacoustic and protoacoustic imaging share the common principle of acoustic wave generation through different excitation sources: optical absorption vs. proton Bragg-peak. These acoustic signals exhibit heterogeneity within the tissue, which strongly influence wave propagation and detection accuracy. In this study, we investigate how [...] Read more.
Photoacoustic and protoacoustic imaging share the common principle of acoustic wave generation through different excitation sources: optical absorption vs. proton Bragg-peak. These acoustic signals exhibit heterogeneity within the tissue, which strongly influence wave propagation and detection accuracy. In this study, we investigate how material variation affects time-of-flight (TOF)-based acoustic signal analysis in the context of protoacoustic proton range verification, providing insights relevant to broader photoacoustic imaging methodologies. A ±15 °C temperature difference in water caused only a 0.04 μs delay and thus had a minimal effect. In heterogeneous phantoms, lung-containing cases produced range errors up to 3.72 mm. In clinical scenarios, detectors aligned with air or low-density tissues showed large overestimations, up to 192.4 mm. Only 2 of 25 detector positions met the <2 mm error criterion. These results highlight that tissue composition and acoustic heterogeneity significantly influence protoacoustic wave propagation and range accuracy. Accurate range verification using protoacoustics must account for material variations along the wave path, particularly in lung regions, to ensure clinical applicability. Full article
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