Multi-focus optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy with ultrasonic array detection

• US 8,997,572 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2012
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: Washington University In St Louis
• Inventors: Wang, Lihong, Song, Liang, Maslov, Konstantin, Rao, Bin
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Redmann, Gregory J
• Application Number:
  US13/369,558
• Publication Number:
  US 20120204648A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 736/06
• US Class Current: 73/606
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0095 by applying light and detecting acoustic waves, i.e. photoacoustic measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/42 Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems A61B1/00, A61B5/4857, A61B5/486, A61B5/4866, A61B5/4869 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/028 Material parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/106 one or more transducer arrays
• 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: G02B 21/36 arranged for photographic purposes or projection purposes G02B21/18 takes precedenceor digital imaging or video purposes including associated control and data processing arrangements image data processing per se G06T
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/105 with one or more pivoting mirrors or galvano-mirrors G02B26/101 takes precedence

Abstract

A probe for use with an imaging system, including a scanning device configured to receive a first light beam from a light source, a beam-divider configured to split the first light beam into a plurality of second light beams, and a focusing device configured to focus each of the second light beams on respective locations in an object of interest.

Claims

1. A probe for use with an imaging system, said probe comprising:

a scanning device configured to receive a first light beam from a light source;

a beam-divider configured to split the first light beam into a plurality of second light beams;

a focusing device configured to focus each of the plurality of second light beams on a respective location in an object of interest; and

an optical-acoustic beam combiner comprising a first prism and a second prism with a fluid therebetween, the optical-acoustic beam combiner configured to merge the plurality of second light beams and acoustic signals emitted by the object of interest in response to the plurality of second light beams.

2. A probe in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an ultrasonic transducer array configured to receive acoustic signals emitted by the object of interest in response to the plurality of second light beams.

3. A probe in accordance with claim 1, wherein said scanning device is configured to steer the first light beam through said beam-divider, and wherein said scanning device includes at least one of a mechanically scanning mirror, a galvanometer, a polygon scanner, an acoustic-optical scanner, and an electro-optical scanner.

4. A probe in accordance with claim 1, wherein said beam-divider comprises a transmission grating.

5. A probe in accordance with claim 1, wherein said beam-divider and said focusing device define a lens array.

6. A probe in accordance with claim 1, wherein said focusing device comprises an optical lens.

7. A probe in accordance with claim 1, wherein said optical-acoustic beam combiner comprises a thin-film optical reflector.

8. An imaging system comprising:

a light source configured to emit a first light beam; and

a probe comprising;

a scanning device configured to receive the first light beam;

a beam-divider configured to split the first light beam into a plurality of second light beams;

a focusing device configured to focus each of the plurality of second light beams on a respective location in an object of interest;

an ultrasonic transducer array configured to receive acoustic signals emitted by the object of interest in response to the plurality of second light beams; and

an optical-acoustic beam combiner comprising a first prism and a second prism with a fluid therebetween, the optical-acoustic beam combiner configured to merge the plurality of second light beams and acoustic signals emitted by the object of interest in response to the plurality of second light beams.

9. An imaging system in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a computer configured to reconstruct an image based on the acoustic signals.

10. An imaging system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said scanning device is configured to steer the first light beam through said beam-divider, and wherein said scanning device includes at least one of a mechanically scanning mirror, a galvanometer, a polygon scanner, an acoustic-optical scanner, and an electro-optical scanner.

11. An imaging system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said beam-divider comprises a transmission grating.

12. An imaging system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said beam-divider and said focusing device define a lens array.

13. An imaging system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said optical-acoustic beam combiner comprises a thin-film optical reflector.