Photoacoustic assessment of hemodynamic changes in foot vessels.

Monitoring the blood supply in the lower extremities is critical for individuals who are vulnerable to vascular dysfunction. Current clinical approaches are ineffective in observing hemodynamic changes in peripheral vessels. In this paper, we investigate the potential of photoacoustic tomography (PAT) as an alternative way to in vivo monitor hemodynamic changes in foot vessels. High spatial and temporal resolution maps of hemoglobin in major arteries and veins are shown. Results from twelve human subjects are presented here to visualize vascular perfusion of healthy volunteers in two age groups (young vs aged). Significant differences between the two groups are observed and verify the declining in vascular function with aging, highlighting the potential of PAT as a new tool to evaluate vascular function in the lower extremities.