DIAGNOSTIC SIMULATOR

• US 20130296683A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seno Medical Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Seno Medical Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Herzog, Donald G., Ackerman, William
• Granted Patent: US 9,730,587 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0095 by applying light and detecting acoustic waves, i.e. photoacoustic measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/0654 Imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/2418 using optoacoustic interaction with the material, e.g. laser radiation, photoacoustics photoacoustic cells G01N21/1702; measuring characteristics of vibrations by using radiation-sensitive means G01H9/00; acousto-optical conversion techniques for short-range imaging G01S15/8965; sound-producing devices using laser bundle G10K15/046
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/30 Arrangements for calibrating or comparing, e.g. with standard objects

Abstract

A testing apparatus for an optoacoustic device includes a light pulse sensor operatively connected to a light output port of the optoacoustic device, the light pulse sensor being adapted to sense a pulse of light capable of generating an optoacoustic response in a subject and to distinguish between the light pulse and the at least one other light pulse on the basis of the predominant wavelength. The light pulse sensor outputs a trigger signal associated with the distinguished light pulse when such light pulse is sensed. A transducer signal simulator outputs a first plurality of electrical signals simulating those produced by a transducer array and reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject to a light pulse at a first wavelength in response to a trigger signal from the light pulse sensor associated with a light pulse having a first wavelength. The simulator outputs a second plurality of electrical signals simulating those produced by a transducer array and reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject to a light pulse at a second predominant wavelength in response to a trigger signal from the light pulse sensor associated with a light pulse having a second wavelength. Conductors carry the plurality of electrical signals output by the transducer signal simulator to the pins of a multi-pin connector.

Claims

1. A testing apparatus for an optoacoustic device,

the optoacoustic device having:

i. light generator adapted to create pulses of light, at least one light pulse having a first predominant wavelength and at least one other light pulse having a second predominant wavelength, each pulse of light being sufficient to generate an optoacoustic response in a subject,

ii. light output port for outputting at least a portion of the light pulses,

iii. light output port connector, the port connector adapted to operatively connect with a waveguide capable of directing the light pulses to a subject, and

iv. multi-pin connector adapted to receive a plurality of electrical signals produced by a transducer array and reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject,

v. image processing system for producing an image based upon electrical signals produced by a transducer,

the testing apparatus comprising;

a. light pulse sensor operatively connected to the light output port, the light pulse sensor being adapted to sense a pulse of light capable of generating an optoacoustic response in a subject and to distinguish between the at least one light pulse and the at least one other light pulse on the basis of the predominant wavelength, the light pulse sensor being further adapted to output a trigger signal associated with the distinguished light pulse when such light pulse is sensed;

b. transducer signal simulator adapted to output a first plurality of electrical signals simulating those produced by a transducer array and reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject to a light pulse at a first predominant wavelength in response to a trigger signal from the light pulse sensor associated with a light pulse having a first predominant wavelength, and to output a second plurality of electrical signals simulating those produced by a transducer array and reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject to a light pulse at a second predominant wavelength in response to a trigger signal from the light pulse sensor associated with a light pulse having a second predominant wavelength; and

c. plurality of conductors for carrying the plurality of electrical signals output by the transducer signal simulator to the pins of the multi-pin connector.

2. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a. memory for storing a plurality of pre-defined data sets representing electrical signals simulating those produced by a transducer array and reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject to a light pulse at a first predominant wavelength and a light pulse at a second predominant wavelength; and

b. selector adapted to identify one of the plurality of pre-defined data sets for use by the transducer signal simulator.

3. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein the light pulse sensor comprises:

a. first pulse detector adapted to sense a pulse of light having the first predominant wavelength, and adapted to output a first trigger signal; and

b. second pulse detector adapted to sense a pulse of light having the second predominant wavelength, and adapted to output a second trigger signal;

c. wherein the trigger signal is a combination of the output of the first trigger signal and the output of the second trigger signal.

4. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 1, further comprising waveguide operatively connecting the at least a portion of the light pulses being output by the light output port to the light pulse sensor.

5. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

waveguide connected to the light output port, the waveguide guiding at least some of the at least a portion of the light pulses to the first pulse detector and at least some of the at least a portion of the light pulses to the second pulse detector.

6. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein the output of the transducer signal simulator comprises signals recorded from a transducer array and reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject.

7. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one data set of the pre-defined data sets comprises a recorded plurality of electrical signals originally produced by a transducer array and reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject to a light pulse at a first predominant wavelength, and a second recorded plurality of electrical signals originally produced by a transducer array and reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject to a light pulse at a second predominant wavelength.

8. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 2, wherein the selector is part of a user interface of the testing apparatus.

9. A testing apparatus for an optoacoustic device,

the optoacoustic device having:

i. light generator adapted to create pulses of light sufficient to generate an optoacoustic response in a subject,

ii. light output port for outputting at least a portion of the light pulses,

iii. light output port connector, the port adapted to connect with a waveguide capable of directing the light pulses to a subject, and

iv. multi-pin connector adapted to receive a plurality of electrical signals produced by a transducer array and reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject,

v. signal processing system for responding to electrical signals received by the multi-pin connector,

the testing apparatus comprising;

a. light pulse sensor operatively connected to the light output port, the light pulse sensor adapted to generate a trigger when a light pulse is sensed;

b. signal simulator that transmits one of a plurality of signal sets over a plurality of conductors operatively connected to the multi-pin connector in response to the trigger;

c. memory for storing the plurality of signal sets, the plurality of signal sets including at least one diagnostic signal set;

d. selector for selecting the one of a plurality of signal sets from the plurality of signal sets; and

e. wherein the signal processing system is adapted to perform pre-specified diagnostics of the optoacoustic device in response to receiving one of the at least one diagnostic signal set.

10. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of signal sets includes a plurality of unique diagnostic signal sets, and wherein each of the plurality of unique diagnostic signal sets corresponds to different pre-specified diagnostics of the optoacoustic device.

11. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 9, further comprising waveguide for operatively connecting the light pulse sensor to the light output port.

12. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 11, wherein the waveguide comprises a fiberoptic cable, and the waveguide is adapted to attach to the light output port via a removable connector.

13. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of conductors operatively connected to the multi-pin connector waveguide are connected via a removable connector.

14. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 12, wherein the plurality of conductors operatively connected to the multi-pin connector waveguide are connected via a removable connector.

15. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 14, wherein the selector is part of a user interface of the testing apparatus.

16. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 15, wherein the light pulse sensor, the signal simulator, the memory and the selector are all housed in a common housing.

17. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of signal sets includes at least one image signal set reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject to a light pulse.

18. The testing apparatus claimed in claim 17, wherein the at least one image signal set comprises at least two image signal sets, at least one being reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject to a light pulse having a first predominant wavelength, and at least one other being reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject to a light pulse having a second predominant wavelength.