A groundbreaking 3D imaging system, developed by researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), aims to revolutionize medical diagnostics by overcoming key limitations of existing technologies like MRI, CT, and traditional ultrasound. This innovative, non-invasive technique integrates ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging, which detects sound waves generated by light, to simultaneously capture detailed 3D images of both tissue and blood vessels. Published in the journal *Nature Biomedical Engineering*, this proof-of-concept study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, highlights the system's ability to quickly collect comprehensive images of the human body. Current imaging modalities often face challenges related to cost, scan time, and the extent of detail and depth they can provide for various conditions, including injury, infection, cancer, and chronic diseases. For instance, fMRI can be expensive and has trade-offs between spatial and temporal resolution, while conventional ultrasound may lack sensitivity for very small blood vessels and deeper tissues. The new system demonstrates its broad applicability by imaging multiple regions, including the brain, breast, hand, and foot. In a significant finding, the technology successfully captured both tissue structure and blood vessels across a region up to 10 centimeters wide in approximately 10 seconds, particularly in brain imaging of patients undergoing surgery where parts of the skull were temporarily removed. Photoacoustic imaging, a core component of this system, is recognized for its capacity to provide functional, metabolic, and molecular information with high optical contrast and ultrasound resolution in deep tissue, without using ionizing radiation. Its integration with ultrasound is a natural synergy given their inherent similarities and complementary strengths. This development holds substantial promise for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency in clinical practice globally, including in countries like India where accessible and advanced medical imaging is crucial for population health.