Global Biomedical Photoacoustic Imaging Patent Landscape Report 2025

Patent Landscape Report Coverage

The global biomedical photoacoustic imaging patent landscape report provides comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the patents in this growing industry. The key sections captured in the report for global biomedical photoacoustic imaging includes a thorough examination of the patent portfolios of key players, covering aspects such as the number of patents and types of technologies patented. It includes latest trends, geographical distribution of patents, top IP player profiles, technological segmentation, and patent valuation. The breakdown of patents by technical segments is provided, giving more clarity on the specific areas of innovation within biomedical photoacoustic imaging technologies.

Biomedical photoacoustic imaging is witnessing increased technical innovations such as deep learning integration, dual-modal systems, photoacoustic vector tomography (PAVT). Therefore, such technical innovations are impacting the patent landscape significantly.

Global Biomedical Photoacoustic Imaging Patent Outlook

• Diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disorders require precision imaging for accurate diagnosis and ongoing monitoring. Photoacoustic imaging is being increasingly used in their diagnosis, boosting its market size and growth.

• The incidence of patent filings is increasing in several jurisdictions, particularly United States, China and Europe. This surge can be attributed to universities and healthcare companies investing heavily in research to improve photoacoustic imaging technologies. These investments are important for developing a new and more advanced method to enhance the medical imaging domain in the healthcare sector.

• Pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies and research institutions are actively investing in patenting new technologies to protect their novel innovations and establish market dominance.

What is Biomedical Photoacoustic Imaging? 

The biomedical photoacoustic imaging uses both light (photo) and sound (acoustic) to produce finely detailed images of the body's anatomical architecture. This technique involves directing a laser light pulse into the body. The tissues expand slightly as a result of producing a thermal effect on delivery with this light. Ultrasonic waves are produced, detected by sensors and then transformed into pictures. This method allows deep-tissue imaging with great resolution, which is helpful for the diagnosis and follow-ups for several diseases such as vascular issues and cancer.

Biomedical photoacoustic imaging continues to evolve, driven by increasing demand for better non-invasive diagnostic techniques. Its ability to deliver clear and high-resolution images makes it a promising tool for improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment precision in the healthcare sector, which is a driving factor to boost market value in the forecast period.

Biomedical Photoacoustic Imaging Industry Growth Drivers

Enhanced Sensitivity and Specificity is Expected to Augment the Market Growth

Photoacoustic imaging is a unique diagnostic technology that creates highly contrasted images and shows biological tissues in detail. Compared to many conventional imaging techniques, this technology is more sensitive and accurate, enabling the detection of small variations in tissues with greater clarity. This precision is essential for accurately identifying and tracking a range of medical disorders.

For instance, a well-known international company Canon Inc., best known for its image and photographic gear has also entered the biomedical photoacoustic imaging market. The company boasts a photoacoustic tomography (PAT) technology that is a non-invasive technique to capture high resolution (3D) images of blood vessels in real-time without using X-ray or contrast media. It uses both light and ultrasonic waves to develop images. The laser light has a wavelength of 750nm to 850nm and repetition frequency of 10Hz. The advent of such new tools and enhanced products in the market influences the patent landscape as researchers and companies take effective measures to secure patents and protect their innovations.

Rising Clinical Application to Boost the Number of Patent Filings
 
Photoacoustic imaging has witnessed an increase in its application in several medical domains. Dual-modal small animal imaging systems are commonly used in preclinical cancer imaging and research. Along with diagnosis and screening, photoacoustic imaging is also used in analyzing the response to a treatment. Brain imaging, obstetrics, cardiology and dentistry are other prominent areas of application. The number of patent applications for biomedical photoacoustic imaging witnessed a notable peak in 2019 with over 140 patent application in the respective year. Moreover, there was a subsequent increase in number of granted patents as well. The industry witnessed an upward trend in patent filings since then, which is indicative of the COVID-19 pandemic boosting the demand for newer and more effective diagnostic capabilities. In 2023, 180+ new biomedical photoacoustic imaging patents were applied, signifying rising utilization of photoacoustic imaging in multiple medical areas including preclinical and clinical imaging.

Integration with Other Imaging Modalities is Expected to Propel the Global Biomedical Photoacoustic Imaging Industry Growth

To improve its diagnostic potential, photoacoustic imaging can be used with other imaging modalities such as MRI or ultrasound. Combining these methods gives medical professionals a more thorough understanding of the internal organs and tissues of the body, collecting both functional and anatomical features. This integration makes it possible to conduct assessments that are more thorough and precise, which enhances the capacity to identify and track a variety of medical issues. The application and range of photoacoustic imaging in clinical settings are expanded by this kind of integration, which is creating their demand and boosting market growth.

Global Biomedical Photoacoustic Imaging Patent Segmentation

The report provides an in-depth analysis of the patents in this field by the following segmentation -

Breakup by Component

• Hardware

• Software

Breakup by Type

• Photoacoustic Imaging Systems

• Photoacoustic Computed Tomography System

Breakup by Modality

• Portable

• Standalone

• Handheld

Breakup by Platform

• Pulsed Laser Diode

• LED-Based

• Xenon Flash

• Other

Breakup By End User 

• Ambulatory Surgical Centers

• Research Laboratories

• Hospitals and Clinics

• Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies

• Others

Biomedical Photoacoustic Imaging Patent Segmentation Analysis

The breakup based on platform includes pulsed laser diode, LED-based, xenon flash and others. Biomedical photoacoustic imaging investigations have been conducted with the chosen patent families labelled based on the platforms to which they pertain. LED-based photoacoustic imaging uses high-powered light-emitting diodes (LEDs) instead of traditional lasers to create the photoacoustic effect. This approach is generally safer and more cost-effective because LEDs are cheaper and pose fewer safety risks than lasers. In addition, LED systems are compact, making them easy to handle and integrate into various medical devices. This makes LED-based systems an attractive choice for many clinical and research applications.

The detailed technological data will be provided for all specified segments classified in this report.

Biomedical Photoacoustic Imaging Patent Jurisdiction Analysis

The United States is one of the leading jurisdictions for biomedical photoacoustic imaging patents, having around 2,000 patents. The presence of a well-established healthcare infrastructure, a robust legal framework and prominent research institutions engaged in innovations contributes to the patent landscape significantly.

Holding a significant chunk of the global population, China is another vital jurisdiction and is witnessing rapid growth in patent filings. The expanding healthcare landscape in the region contributes to the evolving research capabilities, thereby influencing a surge in patent applications. Innovations like development of novel contrast agents and imaging probes is amongst major growth factors.

Patent Profile of Key Companies

Among the players with biomedical photoacoustic imaging patent families, new entrants have been identified, which can be either established companies or startups developing their first technology in the field. Some of the major companies mentioned in this report (a non-exhaustive list) are as follows:

Guided Therapy Systems LLC

It is a medical and healthcare technology company specializing in the development of non-invasive treatment & diagnosis with their imaging devices. It is well-known for its innovative biomedical photoacoustic imaging technology combining ultrasound and laser optics to generate high-resolution real-time images for therapeutic and diagnostic medical applications.

Mallinckrodt INC

A renowned biopharma company focusing on the specialty drug and therapy development, production and ...

*Please note that this is only a partial list; the complete list of key players is available in the full report. Additionally, the list of key players can be customized to better suit your needs.*

Other companies include Canon KK, Univ California, Univ Washington, California Inst of Techn, Univ Duke, Elwha LLC, Univ Leland Stanford Junior, Univ Texas, Bracco Imaging Spa, Dorshow Richard B, Li Cor INC, Harvard College, Massachusetts Inst Technology, and 1087 Systems INC, among others.

Reasons to Purchase this Report

The global biomedical photoacoustic imaging patent report provides information on the intellectual property (IP) position and strategy of key players. This report can help companies and players looking to enter or invest in this field by -

• Competitive Advantage: Revealing the market leaders, potential partners, and innovators helps to identify which companies have important patents in this field of biomedical photoacoustic imaging. This helps stakeholders identify the key players that shape the industry and predict future market dynamics.

• Innovation Insights: The patent applications show R&D’s ongoing efforts. Their analysis reveals new innovations and technologies in biomedical photoacoustic imaging. This helps stakeholders stay aware and alert of advancements and potential disruptions.

• Market Positioning: Companies with strong patent portfolios gain a competitive advantage because their intellectual property assets differentiate their products. Understanding their intellectual property strategy reveals the market position of new entrants and potential barriers to entry.

• Risk Assessment: In technology-intensive fields such as biomedical photoacoustic imaging, risks of patent infringement are common. Analyzing patent landscapes helps companies assess risk, develop mitigation strategies, and inform licensing, partnering, and acquisition decisions.

• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Understanding the patent landscape is critical to ensuring compliance with patent laws and regulations. It helps stakeholders navigate license agreements, avoid infringement lawsuits, and effectively use IP assets in a global marketplace.

Key Questions Answered in the Global Biomedical Photoacoustic Imaging Patent Landscape Report

• Who are the key players in the biomedical photoacoustic imaging patent landscape?
• How is the patent portfolio distributed geographically?
• What are the emerging trends in biomedical photoacoustic imaging patents?
• How has the patent landscape evolved over time?
• What are the strategic insights for market players and investors?
• What is the technological focus of patents in biomedical photoacoustic imaging industry?
• How do patent strategies impact competitive advantage?
• What are the implications of patent filings in biomedical photoacoustic imaging?
• What are the challenges and opportunities in the biomedical photoacoustic imaging patent landscape?
• What are the regulatory and legal considerations?
• What technological innovations have recently emerged in biomedical photoacoustic imaging?

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