Miniaturized photoacoustic imaging apparatus including a rotatable reflector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope comprising:
- a tube;
a light source configured to emit a light pulse suitable for photoacoustic imaging;
a signal detection or detection and transmission unit configured to detect or emit and detect an ultrasonic pulse; and
a reflector rotatable relative to said tube and configured to;
reflect the light pulse and the ultrasonic pulse into a target area of an object; and
reflect a response signal to said signal detection unit, the response signal being one of a photoacoustic wave generated by the object responsive to the light pulse and an ultrasonic pulse echo generated by the object responsive to the ultrasonic pulse.
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Abstract
A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope includes a light source configured to emit a light pulse, a signal detection or transmission unit configured to detect or emit an ultrasonic pulse, and a rotatable reflector. The rotatable reflector is configured to reflect at least one of the light pulse and the ultrasonic pulse into a target area of an object, and reflect a response signal to the signal detection unit. The response signal is one of a photoacoustic wave generated by the object responsive to the light pulse and an ultrasonic pulse echo generated by the object responsive to the ultrasonic pulse.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope comprising:
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a tube; a light source configured to emit a light pulse suitable for photoacoustic imaging; a signal detection or detection and transmission unit configured to detect or emit and detect an ultrasonic pulse; and a reflector rotatable relative to said tube and configured to; reflect the light pulse and the ultrasonic pulse into a target area of an object; and reflect a response signal to said signal detection unit, the response signal being one of a photoacoustic wave generated by the object responsive to the light pulse and an ultrasonic pulse echo generated by the object responsive to the ultrasonic pulse. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An endoscopy system comprising:
a reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope comprising; a tube; a light source configured to emit a light pulse suitable for photoacoustic imaging; a signal detection or transmission unit configured to detect or emit an ultrasonic pulse; and a mirror rotatable relative to said tube configured to reflect the light pulse and the ultrasonic pulse into a target area of an object, and reflect a response signal to said signal detection unit, the response signal being one of a photoacoustic wave generated by the object responsive to the light pulse and an ultrasonic pulse echo generated by the object responsive to the ultrasonic pulse; a data-acquisition system configured to receive an electronic signal generated by said signal detection unit based on the response signal; and a data-analysis computer configured to generate an image based on the electronic signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An endoscopy scanning method comprising:
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emitting a light pulse and an ultrasonic pulse; reflecting the pulses into an object using a mirror rotatable relative to a tube such that a response signals are emitted by the object responsive to the pulses; reflecting the response signals, by the mirror, to a signal detection unit, the response signals being a photoacoustic wave generated by the object in response to the light pulse and an ultrasonic pulse echo generated by the object in response to the ultrasonic pulse; generating electronic signals based on the response signals; and generating an image based on the electronic signals. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification