HANDHELD OPTOACOUSTIC PROBE

摘要

A handheld optoacoustic probe includes an ultrasound transducer array and optical fibers with a first end formed into a fiber bundle providing an input and a second, distal end providing an output. A light bar guide retains the distal end of the optical fibers on the same plane. One or more optical windows may be associated with, and spaced from the light bar guide so as to prevent contact between a coupling agent and the distal ends of the optical fibers, thus mitigating a potential acoustic effect of the coupling agent in response to light emitting from the fibers. A silicon rubber acoustic lens doped with TiO2 may be provided, with a reflective metal surrounding the outer surface of the acoustic lens. A handheld probe shell houses the light bar guide, the ultrasound transducer array, and the acoustic lens.

主权项

1. A handheld optoacoustic probe having a distal end, the probe comprising:a plurality of optical fibers comprising a first light path, the plurality of optical fibers having a
first end formed into at least one fiber bundle providing an input, and having a second endformed into first and second groups of optical fiber, each of the first and second groups of optical fiber consisting of approximately the same number of optical fibers;
first and second light bar guides associated with the first and second groups of optical fiber, respectively, each of the first and second light bar guides retaining a distal end of the respective group of optical fibers on the same plane; a first and second optical window associated with, and spaced from, each of the first and second light bar guides, respectively; an RTV silicon rubber acoustic lens having an inner surface and an outer surface, the acoustic lens being doped with Ti02; an ultrasound transducer array having an active end, the array comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements, the ultrasound transducer array having the inner surface of the acoustic lens at its active end; a reflective metal surrounding the outer surface of acoustic lens; and a handheld probe shell, the shell housing the first and second light bar guides and the ultrasound transducer array, and housing the acoustic lens between the first and second optical windows at the distal end of the probe.