Nanophotonic system for optical data and power transmission in medical imaging systems

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed towards the transmission of data and / or power using nanophotonic elements. For example, in one embodiment, a medical imaging system is provided. The imaging system includes a multiplexed photonic data transfer system having an optical modulator configured to receive an electrical signal representative of a set of data and being operable to modulate a subset of photons defined by time, wavelength, or polarization contained within a beam of light so as to encode the photons with the set of data to produce encoded photons, an optical waveguide (144) interfacing with at least a portion of the optical modulator and configured to transmit the beam of light so as to allow the photons to be modulated by the optical modulator, an optical resonator in communication with the optical waveguide and configured to remove the encoded photons from the beam of light, and a transducer optically connected to the optical resonator and configured to convert the encoded photons into the electrical signal representative of the set of data.

Description

Technical field [0001] The inventive subject matter disclosed herein relates to power, control, and data transmission within medical imaging systems, and, more specifically, to the transmission of power, control, and data via microphotons or nanophotons. Background technique [0002] Medical imaging systems often include components such as sources, detectors, and control circuits in order to generate images useful for diagnosis. For example, in an X-ray system, during an inspection or imaging sequence, the X-ray source emits X-ray radiation in response to a control signal. The radiation passes through the subject of interest (e.g., a human patient), and a portion of the attenuated radiation strikes a detector in which image data is collected. [0003] In positron emission tomography (PET) imaging systems, radionuclides are injected into the subject of interest. As the radionuclide decays and emits positrons, the positrons collide with the electrons, resulting in an annihilation e...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This limitation in the number of detected features can actually constrain the scan speed and achievable resolution for a given type of detection array

Unfortunately, the channels mentioned above not only require additional electrical material and power to amplify the signal generated by the detector, but also greatly increase the weight and complexity of a given array

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