Abstract
A photoacoustic imaging system that incorporates a commercial ultrasonic camera for real-time imaging of two-dimensional (2-D) projection planes in tissue at video rate (30 Hz) is presented. The system uses a Q-switched frequency-doubled Nd:YAG pulsed laser for photoacoustic generation. The ultrasonic camera consists of a 2-D 12×12 mm CCD chip with 120×120 piezoelectric sensing elements used for detecting the photoacoustic pressure distribution radiated from the target. An ultrasonic lens system is placed in front of the chip to collect the incoming photoacoustic waves, providing the ability for focusing and imaging at different depths. Compared with other existing photoacoustic imaging techniques, the camera-based system is attractive because it is relatively inexpensive and compact, and it can be tailored for real-time clinical imaging applications. Experimental results detailing the real-time photoacoustic imaging of rubber strings and buried absorbing targets in chicken breast tissue are presented, and the spatial resolution of the system is quantified.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 021318 |
| Journal | Journal of Biomedical Optics |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2010 |
Funding
The authors would like to thank David Rich and Bob Lasser from Imperium, Inc., for their prompt technical support. The authors also thank The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation and The Greater Milwaukee Foundation for their financial support to H. F. Zhang.
Keywords
- Photoacoustic imaging
- Real-time imaging
- Ultrasonic camera
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biomaterials