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Noise suppression in an optoacoustic system

  • US 9,814,394 B2
  • Filed: 03/15/2013
  • Issued: 11/14/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An optoacoustic imaging system comprising:

  • a handheld probe having a distal end and a proximal end, the handheld probe comprising an ultrasound transducer array having an active end located at the distal end of the handheld probe, the ultrasound transducer array capable of receiving an optoacoustic return signal during an acquisition period and generating data signals corresponding to the optoacoustic return signal, the handheld probe further comprising an optical window located at the distal end of the handheld probe;

    one or more light sources having a common output, the one or more light sources configured to generate pulses of light to produce first light events at a first predominant wavelength and to produce second light events at a second predominant wavelength;

    one or more sync detectors configured to generate a first sync signal upon detection of a pulse of light at the first predominant wavelength and to generate a second sync signal upon detection of a pulse of light at the second predominant wavelength;

    a switching power supply generating power for the one or more light sources, the switching power supply configured to impede power to the one or more light sources upon receipt of a blanking input;

    a light path configured to direct light from the common output to the optical window of the handheld probe;

    a data acquisition unit configured to sample the data signals during a first data acquisition period and to store the sampled data signals, wherein the first data acquisition period is less than about one percent (1%) of the first light event period; and

    a master processor configured to provide the blanking input to the switching power input to impede power to the one or more light sources during a data acquisition period upon receipt of the first sync signal or the second sync signal to cause the optoacoustic imaging system to produce a plurality of light event sequences, each of the light event sequences comprising (i) a first light event at the first predominant wavelength, (ii) a first light event period comprising a first data acquisition period following the first light event, and (iii) a second light event at the second predominant wavelength.

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