Affiliation:
1. Department of Biomedical Engineering Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing Jiangsu China
2. Department of Computer Engineering Nanjing Institute of Technology Nanjing Jiangsu China
Abstract
AbstractElastography is a noninvasive technique for characterizing the mechanical properties of biological tissues. Conventional methods have limitations in resolution and sensitivity, hindering disease detection in clinical diagnostics. To address these issues, this study developed an optical‐resolution photoacoustic microelastography (OR‐PAME) system. Using an agar tissue phantom with varying agar concentrations and contrast agents, PAME evaluated elasticity distribution under compression in both lateral and axial dimensions. It indirectly measured elastic properties by correlating photoacoustic responses, temporal lags, and induced displacement. We also applied the system to the study of the distribution of elastic characteristics of the liver tissue after ablation, which confirmed the potential of OR‐PAME in the study of elastic characteristics. Quantitative analysis showed greater lateral displacement in regions with reduced agar concentrations, indicating decreased stiffness. PAME also detected vertical displacement along the axial plane, validating its efficacy in elastographic imaging. By improving resolution and penetration, PAME provides superior visualization of elasticity distribution. Its methodology correlates microstructural alterations with tissue biomechanics, holding potential implications in medical diagnostics.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Nanjing Institute of Technology