Russian Scientists Develop Real-Time Imaging Device for Blood Flow

A new noninvasive optoacoustic technology could revolutionize the way doctors visualize blood circulation and diagnose critical diseases.

Researchers from Russia’s Institute of Applied Physics (RAS) in Nizhny Novgorod, working alongside international collaborators, have built a device that can visualize blood flow in real time—from major arteries to the tiniest capillaries, according to pravda-nn.ru.

The device leverages optoacoustic tomography, a technique that converts light into ultrasound. Scientists enhanced its piezopolymer antenna, boosting sensitivity by nearly tenfold. This breakthrough enabled a record-high sensor density of 512 elements per square meter, resulting in crystal-clear 3D imaging of blood movement.

The technology has promising applications in early diagnostics of cardiovascular, oncological, and neurodegenerative diseases. It also supports real-time monitoring and microscopic analysis without surgical intervention.

In recent tests, scientists successfully examined a mouse brain without invasive procedures, mapping delicate vascular networks. The team plans to bring the technology into clinical use soon—marking a significant leap forward for Russian medical innovation.