In vivo super-resolution photoacoustic computed tomography by localization of single dyed droplets

The spatial resolution of photoacoustic (PA) computed tomography (PACT) is limited by acoustic diffraction. Here, we report in vivo superresolution PACT, which breaks the acoustic diffraction limit by localizing the centers of single dyed droplets. The dyed droplets generate much stronger PA signals than blood and can flow smoothly in blood vessels; thus, they are excellent tracers for localization-based superresolution imaging. The flowing droplets were first localized, and then their center positions were used to construct a superresolution image that exhibits sharper features and more finely resolved vascular details. A 6-fold improvement in spatial resolution has been realized in vivo

JBO Is Going Monthly

A phone book in the mailbox? Recent issues of our Journal of Biomedical Optics have been as thick as an inch (2.5 cm). Having experienced continuous rapid growth, JBO has been publishing >300 papers each year since 2008 (Fig. 1 ). While celebrating the expansion, we recognize that the bimonthly printed issues are unwieldy as well as untimely. Although papers are posted online as soon as they are typeset and approved, we would like to get the printed issues into the hands of our subscribers more frequently and in a more manageable size. Believe it or not, some of us still like to read hard copies or carry them on flights. One of the ten initiatives I made earlier this year was to publish JBO monthly, and this has now been officially approved by SPIE. Starting January 2011, we will see more timely and frequent monthly issues

Focusing light into biological tissue: how effective is it?

Focusing light into a turbid medium was studied with Monte Carlo simulations. Focusing was found to have a significant impact on the absorption distribution in turbid media when the depth of the focal point (the distance between the focal point and the surface of the turbid media) was less than or comparable with the transport mean free path. Focusing could significantly increase the peak absorption and narrow the absorption distribution. As the depth of the focal point increased, the peak absorption decreased, and the depth of peak absorption increased initially but quickly reached a plateau that was less than the transport mean free path. A refractive-index-mismatched boundary between the ambient medium and the turbid medium deteriorated the focusing effect, increased the absorption near the boundary, lowered the peak absorption, and broadened the absorption distribution

Photoacoustic Tomography: Ultrasonically Beating Optical Diffusion and Diffraction

Photoacoustic tomography provides in vivo multiscale functional, metabolic, molecular, and histologic imaging across the scales of organelles, cells, tissues, and organs with consistent contrast. Penetration and resolution have reached 7 cm and 90 nm, respectively

JBO Setting New Records

2011 was another record year for JBO. The number of manuscript submissions reached nearly 750. The impact factor leaped to 3.188, with the 5-year combined impact factor at 3.659. The publication frequency changed to monthly starting in January. The manuscript review cycles have been shortened considerably without sacrificing quality of review. JBO is deeply indebted to the authors, reviewers, and editorial board members for their contributions to such marvelous achievements

Photoacoustic tomography: High-resolution imaging of optical contrast in vivo at superdepths

A photoacoustic imaging technology for in vivo early-cancer detection and functional imaging is developed by physically combining non-ionizing electromagnetic and ultrasonic waves. An ultrasound-mediated imaging modality is devised by combining electromagnetic and ultrasonic waves synergistically to overcome the above limitations. The hybrid modalities provide relatively deep penetration at high ultrasonic resolution and yield speckle-free images with high electromagnetic contrast

Review Speed

I am pleased to report on the progress that JBO has made toward shortening the manuscript-review cycle. As of the end of April 2010, the average time from receipt to first decision has been improved to 40 days for full-length manuscripts and 25 days for letter-length manuscripts. These review speeds are considered highly competitive among journals on optics—moreover, all JBO Letters are openly accessible online free of charge. This feat would not have been possible without hard work by the journal staff, editorial board members, and numerous reviewers. While maintaining sufficient time windows for the reviewers, we would like to condense the other phases of the review cycles further. Authors, as the experts most versed in their fields, are strongly encouraged to suggest 2–3 editorial board members and 4–6 potential reviewers during online manuscript submission. Such information is invaluable: reviewers whose interests are germane to the submitted work have greater inclinations to accept the review invitations and complete the reviews on time. These suggestions will be used at the discretion of the editor and editorial board members. Let me express my gratitude for all your contributions to JBO. Any further suggestions are most welcome

Photoacoustic Tomography and Microscopy

By converting light waves into sound, researchers have developed a high-resolution biological imaging technique that allows them to see living tissue at new depths