Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles have developed a handheld scanner capable of generating real time 3D images of blood vessels in seconds. The device holds promise for speeding cancer and cardiovascular disease diagnosis, as well as identifying inflammatory arthritis earlier in the care pathway. The findings were published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, signaling a notable advance in vascular imaging. The handheld form factor means clinicians could perform quick assessments at the point of care, potentially reshaping how early signs of disease are detected and tracked.
In conditions such as peripheral vascular disease and diabetes complications, tiny vessels often reveal abnormalities that standard imaging techniques like MRI fail to detect early. This gap can delay diagnosis and treatment, especially for patients with restricted movement or in settings where rapid testing is essential. The new scanner aims to fill that gap by delivering real time views of microvascular structures, enabling clinicians to spot irregularities sooner and with greater confidence. The potential impact spans multiple specialties, offering a noninvasive option that complements existing imaging workflows and could reduce the need for more extensive testing in some cases.
The technology behind the scanner is photoacoustic tomography. It uses laser pulses to gently heat tissue and generate ultrasound waves, which are then detected and turned into detailed maps of blood vessels. This approach can visualize veins and arteries from very near the surface down to about 15 millimeters beneath the skin, providing high contrast for vascular structures. By integrating fast acquisition with sensitive detection, the device captures clear images of complex networks in real time, a capability that is especially valuable when patients have limited ability to remain still during longer scans.
When compared to current imaging modalities, the handheld scanner shows advantages in speed and clarity of vascular detail. While many PET techniques rely on radioactive tracers and can involve longer imaging sessions, this device offers rapid scans with strong vascular contrast without relying on such tracers. The quick imaging reduces motion blur and makes it easier to obtain usable results from patients who may be unable to cooperate for extended periods. This convenience could translate into more efficient clinical workflows and swifter clinical decisions, particularly in busy clinics and emergency settings.
If additional testing confirms these early benefits, the technology could become a tool for diagnosing cancer and cardiovascular disease within a three to five year horizon. It also holds potential for inflammatory arthritis, where diagnosing joint involvement currently requires imaging multiple small joints. In practice, the new device could scan all finger joints in just a few minutes, a dramatic improvement over traditional methods that demand more time and effort. Earlier reports described this line of investigation as a possible new surgical method for heart failure, underscoring the broad interest in fast, noninvasive imaging approaches that can inform treatment choices across diverse conditions.