COMPACT LASER AND EFFICIENT PULSE DELIVERY FOR PHOTOACOUSTIC IMAGING

摘要

A photoacoustic medical-imaging device includes a wavelength conversion assembly (108) configured for outputting laser pulses at a targeted wavelength. It also includes a photoacoustic probe configured for acoustic coupling to a patient, for directing the pulses, and for acquiring, in response, radiofrequency data for photoacoustic imaging. It may include an optical fiber bundle (120) that comprises an optical fiber having an input end, and be configured for illuminating, with a homogenous beam, so as to conform to an acceptance angle (160) of the fiber at that end. It may also include a light collimator, and a diffuser for receiving the outputted laser pulses from the collimator. The diffuser may be configured for spreading a focus of the pulsed light (148) over an input aperture of the bundle to equalize the light received by different constituent optical fibers of the bundle. The assembly may include a dye cell (132), and may reside in the probe.

主权项

1. A photoacoustic medical-imaging device comprising:
a wavelength conversion assembly configured for outputting laser pulses at a targeted wavelength; and a photoacoustic probe configured for acoustic coupling to a patient, for directing said pulses, and for acquiring, in response, radiofrequency data for photoacoustic imaging, said probe comprising at least a portion of an optical fiber bundle, said at least a portion being configured based on an optimal size of a beam, for said photoacoustic imaging, at its incidence on said patient, said size being a function of both an imaging depth and a plurality of estimates of respective optical properties of body tissue in a path of said photoacoustic imaging at said imaging depth.