OC-PAM Microscopy Single Laser Source Simultaneous Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical coherence tomography (OCT) and photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) technologies use different light sources, limiting their ability to simultaneously image absorption and scattering contrasts of biological tissues non-invasively.
Innovation Solution
The development of optical coherence photoacoustic microscopy (OC-PAM) systems and methods that utilize a single light source, such as a pulsed broadband or swept laser, to generate both OCT and PAM images by detecting absorption-induced photoacoustic waves and reflected light using an interferometer, enabling simultaneous imaging of absorption and scattering properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate light sources are used for OCT and PAM, then each modality can be optimized for its specific imaging requirements, but the system complexity increases and simultaneous imaging capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines OCT and PAM imaging modalities into a single integrated system that uses one broadband pulsed laser source to generate both optical coherence tomography and photoacoustic microscopy images simultaneously. The laser light is split into reference and sample arms, where the sample arm delivers light to the tissue for both scattering detection (OCT) and absorption-induced photoacoustic wave generation (PAM). This merging eliminates the need for separate light sources and reduces system complexity while enabling simultaneous multi-modal imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The single broadband pulsed laser source performs multiple functions: it provides the coherent light needed for OCT interferometry and simultaneously provides the pulsed illumination needed to generate photoacoustic waves for PAM imaging. The same optical path and detectors serve both modalities, making the system universal and eliminating redundant components.
2Device complexity
If a single light source is used for both OCT and PAM, then system complexity is reduced and simultaneous imaging is enabled, but the ability to optimize for specific imaging requirements may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a broadband pulsed laser source that can be tuned across multiple wavelengths, allowing optimization for different imaging requirements. By changing the spectral parameters of the light source, the system can target specific chromophores for PAM imaging while maintaining the broadband coherence needed for OCT. This parameter flexibility enables the single light source to satisfy the optimized requirements of both modalities.
3Measurement precision
If multiple light sources are used, then imaging optimization for each modality is achieved, but the loss of time for sequential imaging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous simultaneous acquisition of both OCT and PAM images using a single pulsed laser source. Each laser pulse generates both scattered light signals for OCT and photoacoustic waves for PAM detection at the same time, eliminating the need for sequential imaging. This continuous simultaneous operation maintains high imaging quality for both modalities while reducing total imaging time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
OC-PAM allows for non-invasive, multi-modal imaging of biological tissues, providing inherently registered images that can study both absorption and scattering properties, enhancing imaging capabilities compared to traditional OCT and PAM systems.
Implementation Method 1
When short laser pulses irradiate biological tissues, optical energy is absorbed by substances like hemoglobin and melanin and converted to heat. Thermo-elastic expansions then occur, which lead to the generation of wideband ultrasonic waves.
Implementation Method 2
optical energy is absorbed by substances like hemoglobin and melanin and converted to heat. Thermo-elastic expansions then occur, which lead to the generation of wideband ultrasonic waves.
Implementation Method 3
OCT is a low-coherent interferometer-based optical imaging modality that provides imaging of mainly the scattering properties of biological tissues.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing an optical coherence photoacoustic (OC-PAM) microscopy. An OC-PAM microscope includes a light source that outputs light, a scanner, a detector, a transducer, and an image processing module. The scanner receives the light and scans the light across a sample. The detector receives reflected light from the sample in response to the scanned light. The transducer detects photoacoustic waves induced in the sample by the scanned light. The image processing module receives output from the detector and the transducer and generates a photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) image and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image based on the received output from the detector and the transducer. The PAM and OCT image data may be fused to form a single, OC-PAM image. Additionally, a series of PAM images and OCT images, respectively, may be combined to generate three-dimensional PAM and OCT images, respectively.