Dynamic localization of microparticles in the bloodstream with time-resolved optoacoustic signals encoded with acoustic scattering

Recent progress in localization optoacoustic tomography (LOT) has enabled super-resolution imaging of microvascular structures by precisely tracking sparsely distributed absorbers. While multi-angle arrays improve localization accuracy, their increased complexity and cost limit clinical translation. This study presents a novel super-resolution method requiring a reduced number of transducers in combination with an acoustically dispersive medium to temporally encode spatial information. Employing a self-calibrated decoding model, the approach achieves high-precision absorber localization with fewer detectors. Validated in phantom and in vivo models, this technique provides a cost-effective, compact solution with strong potential for clinical high-resolution medical imaging applications.