Systems and methods for minimally-invasive optical-acoustic imaging
First Claim
1. An imaging apparatus including:
- an elongated body having proximal and distal ends, the body including at least one optical fiber;
an optical-to-acoustic transducer, near the distal end of the body, configured to generate acoustic energy for imaging a region near the distal end of the body in response to a first optical signal in the optical fiber, wherein the optical-to-acoustic transducer includes a photoacoustic material that is located substantially outside of a core of the optical fiber but that is capable of receiving light from the core of the optical fiber to generate an optical-to-acoustic response;
an acoustic-to-optical transducer near the distal end of the body, configured to sense acoustic energy from the region near the distal end of the body and to provide a responsive second optical signal in the optical fiber; and
a user interface, including a display configured to provide an image of the region near the distal end of the body using the second optical signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This document discusses, among other things, an imaging guidewire that includes one or more optical fibers communicating light along the guidewire. At or near its distal end, one or more blazed or other fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) directs light to a photoacoustic transducer material that provides ultrasonic imaging energy. Returned ultrasound is sensed by an FBG sensor. A responsive signal is optically communicated to the proximal end of the guidewire, and processed to develop a 2D or 3D image. In one example, the guidewire outer diameter is small enough such that an intravascular catheter can be passed over the guidewire. Techniques for improving ultrasound reception include using a high compliance material, resonating the ultrasound sensing transducer, using an attenuation-reducing coating and/or thickness, and/or using optical wavelength discrimination. Techniques for improving the ultrasound generating transducer include using a blazed FBG, designing the photoacoustic material thickness to enhance optical absorption. Techniques for distinguishing plaque or vulnerable plaque may be used to enhance the displayed image.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An imaging apparatus including:
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an elongated body having proximal and distal ends, the body including at least one optical fiber; an optical-to-acoustic transducer, near the distal end of the body, configured to generate acoustic energy for imaging a region near the distal end of the body in response to a first optical signal in the optical fiber, wherein the optical-to-acoustic transducer includes a photoacoustic material that is located substantially outside of a core of the optical fiber but that is capable of receiving light from the core of the optical fiber to generate an optical-to-acoustic response; an acoustic-to-optical transducer near the distal end of the body, configured to sense acoustic energy from the region near the distal end of the body and to provide a responsive second optical signal in the optical fiber; and a user interface, including a display configured to provide an image of the region near the distal end of the body using the second optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An imaging guidewire, including:
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an elongate substantially cylindrical guidewire core, including proximal and distal portions and a substantially cylindrical circumference; and a plurality of elongate optical fibers, located along the cylindrical circumference of the guidewire core, each fiber including at least one of an optical-to-acoustic transducer and an acoustic-to-optical transducer, at least one of the fibers including an optical-to-acoustic transducer that directs light from a core of the at least one of the fibers to a photoacoustic material located outside of the core of the at least one of the fibers. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification