Commercialization of High-Performance Ultrasonic Antennas for Biomedical Optoacoustics (Photoacoustics)
Pavel V. Subochev
BARI-NN Ltd, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia (www.photoacoustics.ru)
Abstract
Our commercialization path for high-technology ultrasonic antennas began in 2010 with an unsuccessful acoustic-thermo-tomography startup. The experience led to a focused effort on a wideband ultrasonic detector optimized for optoacoustic (photoacoustic) imaging. In 2011, BARI-NN Ltd (www.photoacoustics.ru) was incorporated and received seed support under the FASIE "СТАРТ" program. The first antenna prototype achieved excellent acoustic sensitivity but proved too costly for the mass market, so the effort pivoted toward research-grade optoacoustic applications.
In 2016, after a conference presentation in Miami, professor Daniel Razansky recognized the detector’s performance and placed the first export order. International users informally titled the device the “the Mother of All Cups.” Deployed in optoacoustic angiography, the detector enabled not only high sensitivity (~10 Pa) , but also ultrawide bandwidth (~0.1-100 MHz). In 2021 our antennas supported early detection of vascular remodeling under antiangiogenic and chemotherapeutic regimens.
International sales paused in 2022, yet development and validation continued. In 2025, our technological results culminated in a joint publication in the Nature Portfolio journal Light: Science & Applications, with the antenna - "Ultrawideband high density polymer-based spherical array for real-time functional optoacoustic micro-angiography" featured on the front cover (impact factor 23.4).
Lessons learned are straightforward. First, commercialization requires a clear value proposition for a specific niche (here, bandwidth for optoacoustic angiography). Second, partnerships with leading research labs (here, Prof.Razansky lab) help adoption when export is uncertain. Our current plan is small-series production of ultrasonic hydrophones for research users and parallel steps toward certification of optoacoustic angiography for clinical research settings.
Speaker
Pavel Subochev
BARI-NN Ltd (www.photoacoustics.ru)
Russia
Discussion
Ask question
