High-resolution photoacoustic imaging with focused laser and ultrasonic beams
Abstract
We report a photoacoustic imager that utilizes a focused laser beam in combination with a 20 MHz ultrasound focusing transducer to obtain micron-resolution tissue images over a long working distance. The imager is based on a ring transducer that combines ultrasonic and laser beams collinearly and confocally in a monolithic element. The combination of focused laser beam and short pulse irradiation led to significant improvement in lateral and axial resolutions compared to the pulse-echo ultrasonic imaging technique or photoacoustic imaging with an unfocused laser. Potential applications include clinical examination of the eye and characterization of thin and superficial tissues.
- Publication:
-
Applied Physics Letters
- Pub Date:
- January 2009
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.3073749
- Bibcode:
- 2009ApPhL..94c3902K
- Keywords:
-
- 87.63.D-;
- 87.63.L-;
- 43.80.Qf;
- 43.80.Vj;
- 42.62.Be;
- 42.66.-p;
- Ultrasonography;
- Visual imaging;
- Medical diagnosis with acoustics;
- Acoustical medical instrumentation and measurement techniques;
- Biological and medical applications;
- Physiological optics