Thermoacoustic tissue scanner
First Claim
1. A thermoacoustic imaging system for imaging structures of tissue, comprisingan acoustic coupling media for acoustically coupling said tissue to an acoustic sensor array, an acoustic sensor array for detecting said thermoacoustic response, comprising an array of sensors arranged on a surface, and a source of electromagnetic radiation for irradiating said tissue to stimulate a thermoacoustic response, comprising a plurality of sources arranged about said tissue and producing synchronized electromagnetic radiation in varying polarizations or phases to irradiate said tissue with electromagnetic radiation of a desired polarization.
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Abstract
A thermoacoustic imaging system including an electromagnetic radiation source for irradiating said tissue to stimulate a thermoacoustic response, a coupling media for acoustically coupling the response to an acoustic sensor array, and an acoustic sensor array. The array comprises sensors arranged on a surface, which is rotatable about an axis to position said sensors in a plurality of positions for detecting the thermoacoustic response. The angular extent of the surface about the axis, subtends an angle that is less than a full revolution, streamlining the device and permitting flexibility in positioning the radiation source and other elements of the device. The source of electromagnetic radiation for irradiating the tissue is a plurality of sources arranged about the tissue and producing synchronized electromagnetic radiation in varying polarizations or phases to irradiate said tissue with electromagnetic radiation of a desired polarization. A thermoacoustic imaging system sized to be held within the human hand is also disclosed.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A thermoacoustic imaging system for imaging structures of tissue, comprising
an acoustic coupling media for acoustically coupling said tissue to an acoustic sensor array, an acoustic sensor array for detecting said thermoacoustic response, comprising an array of sensors arranged on a surface, and a source of electromagnetic radiation for irradiating said tissue to stimulate a thermoacoustic response, comprising a plurality of sources arranged about said tissue and producing synchronized electromagnetic radiation in varying polarizations or phases to irradiate said tissue with electromagnetic radiation of a desired polarization.
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6. A handheld thermoacoustic imaging system for imaging structures of tissue, comprising a device sized to be held within the human hand, the device comprising
a source of electromagnetic radiation for irradiating said tissue to stimulate a thermoacoustic response, and an acoustic sensor array for detecting said thermoacoustic response, comprising an array of sensors arranged on a surface.
Specification