Miniaturized photoacoustic imaging apparatus including a rotatable reflector
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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Abstract
A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope includes a tube, a light source configured to emit a light pulse suitable for photoacoustic imaging, an ultrasonic transducer configured to detect a response signal, and a light and acoustic reflector rotatable relative to the tube.
167 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification