Systems and methods for generating non-contact ultrasound images using photoacoustic energy
First Claim
1. A method for generating ultrasound images of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) directing a photoacoustic excitation source into a scanning mirror that is configured to transmit acoustic energy into the patient, and translate the acoustic energy in a defined direction at a speed of sound, wherein the acoustic energy induces propagating photoacoustic waves in the patient;
b) translating the acoustic energy along the patient at the speed of sound using the scanning mirror to cause a coherent summation of the propagating photoacoustic waves and, thereby, at least one resultant wave that propagates along the defined direction to probe structures within the patient;
c) detecting vibrations at a surface of the patient created by a backscatter of the least one resultant wave from the structures within the patient; and
d) generating ultrasound images of the structures within the patient using the vibrations detected at the surface of the patient in step c).
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Abstract
A system and method for generating ultrasound images of a subject without physically contacting the subject is provided. A photoacoustic excitation source may be employed that directed into a scanning mirror to transmit acoustic disturbances into a patient to induce propagating photoacoustic waves. The acoustic disturbances are translated along the patient in a defined direction to cause coherent summation of the propagating photoacoustic waves and, thereby, a resultant acoustic and/or elastic wave to probe structures within the patient. Vibrations created by the backscatter of the resultant wave are detected at the surface of the patient and ultrasound images of the structures within the patient are generated. Detection of the vibrations may be performed using a laser vibrometer. The excitation and detection systems may be used separately or in combination.
16 Citations
50 Claims
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1. A method for generating ultrasound images of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) directing a photoacoustic excitation source into a scanning mirror that is configured to transmit acoustic energy into the patient, and translate the acoustic energy in a defined direction at a speed of sound, wherein the acoustic energy induces propagating photoacoustic waves in the patient; b) translating the acoustic energy along the patient at the speed of sound using the scanning mirror to cause a coherent summation of the propagating photoacoustic waves and, thereby, at least one resultant wave that propagates along the defined direction to probe structures within the patient; c) detecting vibrations at a surface of the patient created by a backscatter of the least one resultant wave from the structures within the patient; and d) generating ultrasound images of the structures within the patient using the vibrations detected at the surface of the patient in step c). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for generating ultrasound images of a patient, the system comprising:
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a photoacoustic excitation source configured to direct light into a scanning mirror to produce acoustic energy into the patient inducing propagating photoacoustic waves, wherein the scanning mirror is configured to translate the acoustic energy in a defined direction at a speed of sound; a sensor configured to detect vibrations at a surface of the patient created by the propagating photoacoustic waves; a data acquisition system configured to acquire signals corresponding to vibrations detected by the sensor; a processor having access to the data acquisition system and configured to carry out the steps of; i) directing at least the scanning mirror to translate the acoustic energy along the patient at the speed of sound to cause a coherent summation of the propagating photoacoustic waves and, thereby, generate at least one resultant wave that propagates along the defined direction to probe structures within the patient; ii) controlling the data acquisition system to acquire signals corresponding to vibrations at the surface of the patient created by a backscatter of the at least one resultant wave from the structures within the patient; and iii) generating ultrasound images of the structures within the patient using the signals acquired. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for generating ultrasound images of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) directing a laser beam, produced by a laser source, toward the patient to induce propagating photoacoustic waves therein; b) translating the laser beam along the patient at a speed of sound using a scanning mirror to cause a coherent summation of the propagating photoacoustic waves and, thereby, at least one resultant wave that propagates along the defined direction to probe structures within the patient, wherein the scanning mirror is configured to translate the laser beam produced by the laser source in a defined direction at the speed of sound; c) detecting vibrations, using a laser vibrometer sensing array, at a surface of the patient created by a backscatter of the least one resultant wave from the structures within the patient; and d) generating ultrasound images of the structures within the patient using the vibrations detected at the surface of the patient in step c). - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A system for generating ultrasound images of a patient, the system comprising:
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a laser source configured to produce a laser beam configured to induce propagating photoacoustic waves in a patient; a laser vibrometer sensing array configured to detect vibrations at a surface of the patient created by the propagating photoacoustic waves; a scanning mirror configured to scan the laser beam produced by the laser source in a defined direction at a speed of sound; a data acquisition system configured to acquire signals corresponding to vibrations detected by the laser vibrometer sensing array; a processor having access to the data acquisition system and configured to carry out the steps of; i) controlling the scanning mirror to translate the laser beam along the patient at the speed of sound to cause a coherent summation of the propagating photoacoustic waves and, thereby, generate at least one resultant wave that propagates along the defined direction to probe structures within the patient; ii) controlling the data acquisition system to acquire the signals corresponding to vibrations at the surface of the patient created by a backscatter of the at least one resultant wave from the structures within the patient; and iii) generating ultrasound images of the structures within the patient using the signals acquired. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification