Balloon catheter-based photoacoustic-ultrasound fusion endoscopic mini probe having dedicated fluid injection channel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a balloon catheter-based photoacoustic-ultrasound fusion endoscopic mini probe having a fluid channel, comprising: a scanning tip which is inserted into a tissue to be examined in a body, and which either emits light toward the tissue to be examined and detects a photoacoustic signal induced thereby or transmits ultrasonic pulses toward the tissue to be examined and detects reflected ultrasound signals; a balloon catheter including a catheter unit into which fluid is injected and a balloon unit that has the scanning tip embedded therein and is filled with fluid transferred from the catheter unit; and a fluid channel that is formed in the catheter unit and through which fluid filled in the balloon unit is discharged.

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