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Observational Study of Laser-based Photoacoustic Tomography for Arthritis

This observational study is looking at a new technology called laser-based photoacoustic tomography (PAT) to see if it can help detect chronic rheumatoid arthritis. PAT combines light and ultrasound to get detailed images of joint tissues. Researchers want to see if PAT can provide clear pictures of finger joints in people with arthritis and healthy volunteers. The main goal is to see how well PAT images the joints after 10 weeks. You may be able to join if you are 18 or older and have had rheumatoid arthritis for over two years, or if you are a healthy volunteer with a history of rheumatoid arthritis. Recruitment for this study reopened in January 2026 to gather more information.

Study design
This is an observational study with a planned enrollment of 113 participants. It is not a drug trial.
What's involved
Participants will have scans on their finger joints using laser-based photoacoustic tomography, MRI, and ultrasound.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Photoacoustic imaging will be measured at 10 weeks.

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NCT00748254

Laser-based Photoacoustic Tomography of Human Inflammatory Arthritis

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 18+Observational
University of Michigan
~113 participants
Updated 2026-01-23 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Laser Based Photoacoustic Tomography, MRI, Ultrasound

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Photoacoustic Imaging
Measured over 10 weeks

Conditions

Arthritis, Rheumatoid

Explore related trials

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Michigan1

Study leadership

  • Xueding Wang, Ph.D · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Michigan

Who to contact

Safa Mohamed
[email protected]
734 615-1646
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Men and women 18 years of age or older can participate in this study.
Patients can participate in this study if they have had rheumatoid arthritis for more than 2 years and their rheumatologist has referred them to this study.
Patients can participate as a healthy volunteer with a known history of rheumatoid arthritis.

Exclusion

Patients, who have electrically, magnetically or mechanically activated implants such as heart pacemaker, magnetic surgical clips, prostheses or implanted neurological stimulator.
Pregnant patients.
Patients who is claustrophobic.
Patients with impaired renal function cannot participate in this study such as elevate creatinine clearance, patients on kidney dialysis etc.
Patients with shock hypotension or unstable low blood pressure.
Patients with Rhabdomyolysis.
Patients who have had a contrast enhanced (with gadolinium) MRA (magnetic resonance angiography)/ or MRI within the last 3 months. (Contrast is a medication injected into a vein during a imaging examination that helps produce clearer images/pictures).

What this trial measures

  • Photoacoustic Imaging10 weeks

    To determine if photoacoustic imaging (PAT) can accurately assist in the diagnosis of chronic rheumatoid arthritis, with data collected every 2 weeks for a maximum of 10 weeks.