Probe adapted to control blood flow through vessels during imaging and method of use of same
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a probe having a face including a first contact area adapted to apply a first pressure to a surface of an imaging volume of a subject;
one or more ultrasound transducers provided at the face of the probe;
an optical energy output port configured to produce opto-acoustic signals from an absorbed optical energy of blood in the imaging volume, the opto-acoustic signals being detected by the one or more ultrasound transducers and processed by a processor to generate images of the volume;
wherein the probe includes a cup-shaped appendage, the cup-shaped appendage including a second contact area provided about the face of the probe, wherein the second contact area restricts flow of the blood relative to that of the first contact area; and
a display to output an image generated by processing the detected opto-acoustic signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In an embodiment, an apparatus for opto-acoustic imaging includes a first contact area adapted to apply a first pressure to a surface of an imaging volume of a subject and a second contact area adapted to apply a second pressure to the surface. The second contact area is configured to provide decreased blood exit from the imaging volume by restricting flow relative to the first contact area. An optical energy output port is provided to illuminate the imaging volume to produce opto-acoustic signals from an absorbed optical energy of blood in the imaging volume. The opto-acoustic signals are detected by one or more ultrasound transducers and processed by a processor to generate images of the volume. An image generated by processing the detected opto-acoustic signals is output on a display.
66 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a probe having a face including a first contact area adapted to apply a first pressure to a surface of an imaging volume of a subject; one or more ultrasound transducers provided at the face of the probe; an optical energy output port configured to produce opto-acoustic signals from an absorbed optical energy of blood in the imaging volume, the opto-acoustic signals being detected by the one or more ultrasound transducers and processed by a processor to generate images of the volume; wherein the probe includes a cup-shaped appendage, the cup-shaped appendage including a second contact area provided about the face of the probe, wherein the second contact area restricts flow of the blood relative to that of the first contact area; and a display to output an image generated by processing the detected opto-acoustic signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus, comprising:
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a probe including a housing having a face including a first contact area adapted to apply a pressure to a surface of an imaging volume of a subject; one or more ultrasound transducers provided at the face of the probe; an optical energy output port configured to produce opto-acoustic signals from an absorbed optical energy of blood in the imaging volume, the opto-acoustic signals being detected by the one or more ultrasound transducers and processed by a processor to generate images of the volume; a loading member coupled to the housing and extending from the housing to distal the first contact area of the housing;
the loading member including a pressure fitting having a second contact area of the probe configured to engage the surface of the imaging volume. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification