SYSTEM FOR PHOTOACOUSTIC IMAGING AND RELATED METHODS
First Claim
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1. A photoacoustic imaging system for obtaining two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) images of a target, said system comprising:
- (a) an ultrasound transducer for receiving ultrasound waves,(b) a laser system for generating pulses of non-ionizing laser light, and(c) a fiber optic cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers for directing the laser light to the target, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are attached to the transducer.
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Abstract
Photoacoustic imaging systems and methods that allow for the creation of three-dimensional (3D) images of a subject are described herein. The systems include one or more optical fibers attached to an ultrasound transducer. Ultrasonic waves are generated by laser light emitted from the optical fiber(s) and detected by the ultrasound transducer. 3D images are acquired by ultrasound signals from a series of adjacent scan planes or frames that are then stacked together to create 3D volume data.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A photoacoustic imaging system for obtaining two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) images of a target, said system comprising:
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(a) an ultrasound transducer for receiving ultrasound waves, (b) a laser system for generating pulses of non-ionizing laser light, and (c) a fiber optic cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers for directing the laser light to the target, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are attached to the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of generating a three-dimensional (3D) photoacoustic image of a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) delivering laser radiation to a region of tissue within the subject to generate ultrasound signals for a frame; (b) detecting the ultrasound signals for the frame; (c) delivering laser radiation to an adjacent region of tissue to generate ultrasound signals for a next frame; (d) detecting the ultrasound signals for the next frame; (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) to generate a series of consecutive frames; (f) stacking the series of consecutive frames to generate a three-dimensional volume of data; and (g) displaying a three-dimensional image generated from the volume of data on a monitor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A photoacoustic imaging system for obtaining two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) images of a target, said system comprising:
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(a) a scan head having a moving support arm, (b) an ultrasound transducer for receiving ultrasound waves, wherein the transducer is located at an end of the support arm which moves the transducer along a scan plane; (c) a laser system for generating pulses of non-ionizing laser light, and (d) at least one optical fiber for directing the laser light to a target, wherein the optical fiber is attached to the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification