Accurate assessment of microvasculature and oxygen saturation is vital for diagnosing and monitoring diseases, including cancer. However, the current clinical need for point-of-care (POC), non-invasive, and cost-effective imaging approaches remains unmet. Photoacoustic imaging, offering natural blood contrast, holds potential for high-resolution vascular imaging. Yet, the requirement for bulky and expensive lasers impedes its clinical translation, particularly in resource-limited settings. Recent advances in using high-power LED arrays for photoacoustic imaging are promising due to their portability, affordability, and ease-of-use in clinical settings. In this work, we demonstrate the potential of LED-based photoacoustic imaging for microvascular health assessment through in vivo human volunteer imaging. Real-time 2D and 3D experiments evaluated LED-based photoacoustic imaging in assessing vascular density, arterial distensibility, and blood oxygen saturation with high resolution. Our results confirm that LED-based photoacoustic imaging may serve as an invaluable POC tool for microvascular health assessment in resource-limited settings. The affordability and simplicity of LED arrays present a compelling alternative to laser-based approaches, expanding accessibility in clinical practice. This advancement has the potential to enhance early disease detection and treatment monitoring, particularly in areas with limited access to sophisticated imaging technologies.
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