Huabei Jiang, Ph.D.

Congratulations to Dr. Huabei Jiang, Pruitt Family Professor in the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, and BME Ph.D. student, Lei Yao, on the patent issuance of their technology, “Enhanced Image Reconstruction in Photoacoustic Tomography.”

This patent describes an innovative method that can provide excellent image reconstructions from fewer detectors and limited-view data in photoacoustic tomography (PAT).

This new method will produce considerably improved image quality with minimal artifact and accurate image values compared to those produced by conventional PAT algorithms. It will also significantly reduce the number of ultrasound sensors and scanning time needed for data collection.

Biomedical PAT is an imaging method for visualizing the internal structure of soft tissues with excellent spatial resolution and satisfactory imaging depth. Conventional PAT can image tissues with high spatial resolution; however a large number of measurements are needed for reconstruction of an image. In addition, photoacoustic signals recorded over an aperture that does not enclose the object can result in a limited-view topographic reconstruction. In such cases, the existing reconstruction algorithms often give distorted images with severe artifacts.

GAINESVILLE, FL–(Marketwired – May 05, 2015) – Advanced fPAT Imaging Inc. (AFPII), a new medical device company focused on early detection of breast cancer, announced today that its Chief Scientific Advisor was honored by the University of Florida Research Foundation for developing a new breast imaging and disease staging technology. Dr. Jiang is a Pruitt Family Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of the Florida and a recognized leader in innovative medical imaging research. The JBI-360 Imaging System uses his exciting new technology, called Functional PhotoAcoustic Imaging or ‘fPAT,’ to create high-resolution maps of key physiological markers within the breast without x-ray radiation, compression, or injections. For the first time, radiologists and oncologists can non-invasively observe physiology and metabolic activity associated with suspicious lesions using a single device.
In early clinical trials, the JBI-360 demonstrated its ability to see into dense breast tissue and to distinguish healthy tissue from suspicious or unhealthy tissue. Clinical studies have demonstrated that dense breast tissue can impede diagnosis of breast cancer with both digital and newer 3D tomographic mammography techniques. In comparison, the new fPAT imaging device overcomes this problem — providing high-quality images of the breast regardless of tissue density.