A True Multi-modality Approach for High Resolution Optical Imaging: Photo-Magnetic Imaging

Multi-modality imaging leverages the competitive advantage of different imaging systems to improve the overall resolution and quantitative accuracy. Our new technique, Photo-Magnetic Imaging (PMI) is one of these true multi-modality imaging approaches, which can provide quantitative optical absorption map at MRI spatial resolution. PMI uses laser light to illuminate tissue and elevate its temperature while utilizing MR thermometry to measure the laser-induced temperature variation with high spatial resolution. The high-resolution temperature maps are later converted to tissue absorption maps by a finite element based inverse solver that is based on modeling of photon migration and heat diffusion in tissue. Previously, we have demonstrated the feasibility of PMI with phantom studies. Recently, we have managed to reduce the laser power under ANSI limit for maximum skin exposure therefore, we have well positioned PMI for in vivo imaging. Currently we are expanding our system by adding multi-wavelength imaging capability. This will allow us not only to resolve spatial distribution of tissue chromophores but also exogenous contrast agents. Although we test PMIs feasibility with animal studies, our future goal is to use PMI for breast cancer imaging due to its high translational potential.