Three-dimensional dual-wavelength optoacoustic angiography reveals arteriovenous anastomoses

Abstract

A dual-wavelength 532/1064 nm optoacoustic (OA) imaging system allows 3D visualizations of arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) with an acoustic spatial resolution (50 µm) at depths of up to 2 mm in vivo in rabbit ears. Both structural and spectral information from the OA data are employed to analyze the anatomical locations of the blood vessels and to distinguish between veins and arteries in the zone of their confluence. The OA monitoring of a rabbit ear under temperature-induced (43 °C/15 °C) shunting demonstrated the potential of the technique for the monitoring of functional arteriovenous anastomosis.