NeuroPATUS: Imaging the brain with light and sound

The aim of this project is to develop a new type of scanner for non-invasively imaging the human brain. This approach will leverage two imaging modalities based on different physical interactions; photoacoustic tomography (PAT) which works by using pulses of laser light to generate ultrasound waves deep in the brain and ultrasound computed tomography (UST) which transmits ultrasound into tissue and records the transmitted and scattered wavefield. Each modality provides different but complementary image contrast. PAT contrast is based on light absorption enabling it to detect blood with high sensitivity due to the strong optical absorption of haemoglobin. This lends it to visualising brain pathologies characterised by vascular changes such as tumours, or bleeding and ischaemia produced by strokes or injury. UST interrogates the mechanical properties of tissue providing anatomical contrast with the potential to visualise haemorrhage, ventricular swelling or white or grey matter lesions. This combination of previously unavailable optical and mechanical contrast offers the prospect of visualising brain abnormalities indistinguishable with conventional neuroimaging modalities such as X-ray CT or MRI. Moreover, it can be implemented using compact, portable instruments that can be used at the bedside and other scenarios where conventional imaging cannot be used. If successful, this approach could transform the clinical management of serious brain disorders such as stroke, traumatic brain injury or cancer, especially in scenarios where conventional neuroimaging modalities are unavailable.