A PHOTOACOUSTIC IMAGING DEVICE

摘要

The invention features a system for imaging tissue including (i) a source of electromagnetic radiation; (ii) an encasement h a plurality of acoustic transducers (e.g., at least 128); (iii) a support structure having a portion for holding a tissue; and (iv) a chamber between the encasement and support structure for housing an acoustic coupling medium. In the system, electromagnetic radiation from the source is sufficient to induce a thermoacoustic response in the tissue positioned in the support structure, and the plurality of acoustic transducers are positioned to receive ultrasound from the thermoacoustic response of the tissue. The invention also features methods of imaging a tissue using the systems.