High-resolution photoacoustic imaging with focused laser and ultrasonic beams.
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.
Kong
Fanting
F
Chen
Y C
YC
Lloyd
Harriet O
HO
Silverman
Ronald H
RH
Kim
Hyung Ham
HH
Cannata
Jonathan M
JM
Shung
K Kirk
KK