Systems and methods for photoacoustic opthalmoscopy
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A multimodal imaging system comprising:
- a laser apparatus for generating a laser beam capable of irradiating a biological sample;
an optical coupler operatively connected to the laser for collecting photons reflected from the biological sample, wherein the optical coupler is selected from the group consisting of a 2×
2 single mode optical coupler and a free-space based beam splitter having a pinhole;
a dual-axis scanner operatively connected to the laser for scanning the laser beam across the biological sample;
an optical device for delivering the laser beam to the biological sample; and
an ultrasonic transducer for measuring laser induced ultrasonic waves.
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Abstract
Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for multimodal functional imaging based upon photoacoustic and laser optical scanning microscopy. In particular, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a contact lens in combination with an ultrasound transducer for purposes of acquiring photoacoustic microscopy data. Traditionally divergent imaging modalities such as confocal scanning laser opthalmoscopy and photoacoustic microscopy are combined within a single laser system. Functional imaging of biological samples can be utilized for various medical and biological purposes.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A multimodal imaging system comprising:
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a laser apparatus for generating a laser beam capable of irradiating a biological sample; an optical coupler operatively connected to the laser for collecting photons reflected from the biological sample, wherein the optical coupler is selected from the group consisting of a 2×
2 single mode optical coupler and a free-space based beam splitter having a pinhole;a dual-axis scanner operatively connected to the laser for scanning the laser beam across the biological sample; an optical device for delivering the laser beam to the biological sample; and an ultrasonic transducer for measuring laser induced ultrasonic waves. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for imaging a biological sample comprising:
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generating a laser beam capable of irradiating the biological sample, the laser beam being generated from a tunable laser system; scanning the laser beam with a dual-axis scanner; collimating and focusing the laser beam on the biological sample with an optical system; irradiating the biological sample based at least in part upon the focused laser beam; collecting reflected photons from the biological sample with an optical coupler, wherein the optical coupler is selected from the group consisting of a 2×
2 single mode optical coupler and a free-space based beam splitter having a pinhole;processing the collected photons; detecting photoacoustic waves in response to the irradiated biological sample; processing the photoacoustic signals; and generating an image of the biological sample based at least in part upon the processed photons and photoacoustic signals. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of ophthalmic imaging comprising:
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irradiating a retinal region of interest with a laser beam generated from a tunable laser; scanning the retinal region of interest using a dual-axis galvanometer capable of two-dimensional raster scanning; collecting photons reflected from the retinal region of interest with a 2×
2 single-mode fiber optical coupler;recording photoacoustic waves generated by the irradiated retinal region; controlling the collecting, recording and scanning within a single time base; and generating an ophthalmic image based at least in part upon the scanned retinal region of interest, photons reflected from the retinal region of interest and recorded photoacoustic waves.
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- 29. In combination, a fiber optic confocal microscope and a laser scanning optical resolution photoacoustic microscope, the confocal microscope and photoacoustic microscope configured to generate a combined ophthalmic image based at least in part upon a scanned ophthalmic region of interest, photons reflected from the ophthalmic region of interest and photoacoustic waves generated from an irradiated ophthalmic region of interest, the combination using a single laser light source.
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31. A multimodal ophthalmic imaging system comprising:
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a photoacoustic microscope for generating functional images of an eye; a fiber optic confocal microscope for generating functional images of the eye; and a processor for registering the photoacoustic and confocal generated images based at least in part upon a single laser source.
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Specification