Photoacoustic Image Guidance for Acupuncture

There is currently a lack of a visualized tool to study the acupuncture therapy. In this study, we developed a noninvasive and fast photoacoustic tomography technique to realize image guidance for acupuncture. We implemented a rapid data collection scheme through a handheld array-transducer and a multi-channel data acquisition subsystem to realize a real-time photoacoustic imaging system with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. Neiguan point (PC 6) is selected as the stimulating points in human being. Real-time photoacoustic images of the position of needle relative to the surrounding tissue and the distribution of vascular system of in the cross section of arm at Neiguan point before and during acupuncture are obtained at 760 nm. Ultrasound imaging results were used as cross validation. Our results suggest that PAT could provide image guidance for acupuncture, and may have great potential for standard location of acupoints.