Real-time intravascular ultrasound/photoacoustic imaging system with omni-directional light excitation
2012
Photoacoustic (PA) imaging has been investigated for intravascular applications. One of the main challenges
is that the imaging frame rate is limited by the pulse repetition frequency (PRF), thus making real-time
imaging difficult with most high-power solid-state pulse lasers. The goal of this study is to combine
omni-directional optical excitation with a ring array transducer for high-frame-rate imaging, so that the image
frame rate is the same as the laser PRF. In the preliminary study, we developed a real-time integrated
IVUS/IVPA imaging system by modifying an IVUS system in combination with a high-speed Nd:YLF pulsed
laser. In addition, an optical fiber with axicon-like distal tip is designed for omni-directional excitation. In this
design, a PA image is acquired without rotating the laser light. The imaging frame rate of this integrated
imaging system is 19 fps. Both US and PA images are recorded at the same time and co-registered in the
fusion image. The US/PA images of tungsten wire, black tube and rabbit's atherosclerotic aorta were acquired
with this integrated system to evaluate its imaging performance. The lateral/axial -6 dB resolution of US
image is 2.56°/62.4μm. Resolution of PA imaging is 3.76°/91.5μm. The imaging system was also utilized to
acquire IVUS/IVPA images of atherosclerotic rabbit's aorta in ex vivo study.
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