×

Systems and methods for minimally-invasive optical-acoustic imaging

  • US 7,447,388 B2
  • Filed: 02/13/2007
  • Issued: 11/04/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

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.

View all claims
  • 7 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×