The University of Arizona's Office of Technology Transfer has licensed its photoacoustic imaging technology to ultrasound technology developer Zonare Medical Systems, according to the university.
Invented by Dr. Russell Witte, in-line photoacoustic imaging exploits the photoacoustic effect, a process that converts light to acoustic waves due to absorption, transient heating, and thermal expansion. The invention couples laser light into tissue while detecting ultrasonic waves; the technology could enable the development of low-cost photoacoustic probes built upon existing ultrasound probes, according to the university.
