System and method for calibrating the light output of an optoacoustic probe
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method for calibrating an optoacoustic (OA) probe of an OA imaging system, the method comprising:
- a. setting a light output control of a first light source of a light subsystem to an initial value;
b. pulsing the first light source, thereby delivering light to a OA probe and a volume;
c. taking a light measurement from a first sensor of the OA probe, the light delivered along a light path by the light subsystem;
d. changing the setting of the light output control of the first light source based upon the light measurement from the first sensor; and
e. repeating steps b-d until an operating level is reached;
wherein the OA probe includes an optical element comprising an optical window that optically communicates with the light path and the first sensor communicates with the optical window.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for adjusting the light output of an optoacoustic imaging system is presented. An optoacoustic imaging system includes a light source such as a laser, the light source having a light output control, a probe for delivering light to a volume, the probe being associated with one or more sensors, a light path operatively connected to the first light source, the light path providing light from the first light source to the probe. Generally, the light output of an optoacoustic imaging system may be harmful to the eye, and may be subject to maximum safe fluence levels incident upon the volume of interest in a clinical setting. Accordingly, the light output control may be set to an initial, relatively low value. After the light source is pulsed, the light output may be measured at or near the probe at the distal end of the light path. The measured light output can used to determine whether, and how much, to change the setting of the light output control. The system and method may also be used for closed loop control of the light output to keep fluence levels within a desired range. The rate of change of the light output control can be varied based upon the difference between the measured fluence and the desired fluence or range.
104 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for calibrating an optoacoustic (OA) probe of an OA imaging system, the method comprising:
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a. setting a light output control of a first light source of a light subsystem to an initial value; b. pulsing the first light source, thereby delivering light to a OA probe and a volume; c. taking a light measurement from a first sensor of the OA probe, the light delivered along a light path by the light subsystem; d. changing the setting of the light output control of the first light source based upon the light measurement from the first sensor; and e. repeating steps b-d until an operating level is reached; wherein the OA probe includes an optical element comprising an optical window that optically communicates with the light path and the first sensor communicates with the optical window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An optoacoustic (OA) imaging system, comprising:
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an OA probe having a distal end configured to contact tissue; an acoustic element and an optical element held in the OA probe at the distal end; a light subsystem having a first light source configured to deliver light along a light path to the OA probe and to a volume; a first sensor within the OA probe configured to measure the light; and a computer configured to execute programming to; a. set a light output control of the first light source to an initial value; b. pulse the first light source, thereby delivering light to the probe and the volume; c. take a measurement from the first sensor; d. change the setting of the light output control of the first light source based upon the measurement from the first sensor; and e. repeat steps b-d until an operating level is reached; wherein the optical element comprises an optical window that optically communicates with the light path and the first sensor communicates with the optical window. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification