Seno Medical, the company responsible for developing an opto-acoustical imaging modality that uses lasers to acoustically excite tissue, is bringing the technology to the real world. Partnering with VisualSonics, a maker of specialty ultrasound systems, the technology is to be introduced into VisualSonics’ Vevo imaging platform for preclinical small animal trials.
From the press release:
Seno’s small animal (preclinical) opto-acoustic technology is designed to enable researchers to non-invasively detect and monitor biological structures, functions and processes at the cellular and molecular level. It is the first new functional technology developed in 30 years. (Other examples of functional technology are fMRI and PET.) This technology uniquely images angiogenic growth of a tumor and reveals the oxygen saturation within the tumor, thus providing functional information. This technology can also reveal disease progression and inflammation processes that were previously unattainable. As a result of this agreement, VisualSonics will be able to embed Seno’s opto-acoustic technology in their next generation of high-frequency ultrasound platforms and thus extend their molecular imaging capability to the sub cellular level. This combination will drive the new molecular imaging utility for the next generation of small animal (preclinical) imaging with the Vevo® platform.
Press release: Seno Reaches Milestone Licensing Agreement with World Leading High-Frequency Ultrasound Company …
Technology page: Laser Opto-Acoustic Imaging …
Flashbacks: Laser Opto-Acoustic Imaging Technology from Seno Medical; Optoacoustic Technology for Early Cancer Detection