Medical imaging breakthrough could transform cancer and arthritis diagnosis

Medical imaging breakthrough could transform cancer and arthritis diagnosis.

New hand-held scanner can generate highly detailed 3D photoacoustic images in just seconds .

Image quality is much improved and far more suitable for people who are frail or poorly.

New scanner could help to diagnose cancer, cardiovascular disease and arthritis in three to five years' time .

Early signs of changes in tiny blood vessels indicative of the disease can't be seen using MRI scans.

PAT images offer the potential for treatment before the tissue is damaged and to avoid poor wound healing and amputation.

It could also be used to help cancer surgeons better distinguish tumour tissue from normal tissue by visualising the blood vessels in the tumour.