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Miniaturized photoacoustic imaging apparatus including a rotatable reflector

  • US 10,105,062 B2
  • Filed: 04/28/2016
  • Issued: 10/23/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope comprising:

  • a tube forming an outermost sheath of a distal end of the endoscope;

    a light source configured to emit a light pulse suitable for photoacoustic imaging;

    an ultrasonic transducer configured to detect a response signal, wherein the ultrasound transducer is affixed to the tube within the catheter body; and

    a light and acoustic reflector rotatable relative to the tube in a scanning pattern, the scanning pattern comprising rotating the light and acoustic reflector about a longitudinal axis of the tube through a plurality of positions within a full circumferential sweep, wherein the response signal is detectable at each position of the plurality of positions.

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