Photoacoustic Probe Diffuser Panel for Uniform Light Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional photoacoustic tomography systems face issues with local energy density increases during light irradiation, potentially exceeding safety standards due to interference between fiber elements and uneven beam profiles, leading to higher energy density in certain areas, especially when applied to human skin.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a diffuser panel to diffuse emitted light and a spacer to maintain a defined distance between the diffuser panel and the object, ensuring a more even energy distribution and adhering to maximum permissible exposure limits by using a diffuser panel with a specific diffusion angle and spacers to stabilize the energy density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If bundle fiber is used for optical transmission, then light can be transmitted from light source to emission ends, but local energy density increases due to fiber interference and deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmission efficiencyVSAvoidlocal energy density increase

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A diffuser panel is introduced as an intermediary component between the bundle fiber emission ends and the object. The diffuser panel receives light from the fiber bundle and redistributes it uniformly across its surface, preventing direct transmission of high-energy-density light spots to the object. This mediator transforms the concentrated light output into a uniform distribution pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The diffuser panel changes the spatial distribution parameter of light energy from concentrated (high energy density at fiber emission points) to uniform (equal energy density across the illuminated area). By altering the energy distribution parameter through diffusion, the system eliminates local hot spots while maintaining overall light transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If illumination light is applied directly without diffuser, then system complexity is reduced, but energy density exceeds safety standards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical system structureVSAvoidenergy density exceeding MPE

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser panel serves as a simple intermediary element that adds minimal structural complexity while effectively solving the safety problem. It is a passive optical component that requires no active control, maintaining system simplicity while ensuring energy density remains below maximum permissible exposure limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If bundle fiber is used for optical transmission, then light can be delivered to object, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to fiber bundle assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical transmissionVSAvoidfiber bundle assembly precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser panel extracts the problematic emission ends of the bundle fiber from the optical transmission path. By placing the diffuser at the fiber end, the individual fiber precision requirements are decoupled from the final illumination quality. The diffuser absorbs manufacturing variations in fiber positioning and delivers uniform light regardless of precise fiber alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This configuration effectively suppresses local energy density increases during light irradiation, enhancing safety and maintaining a stable illumination distribution, allowing for accurate image reconstruction and improved safety standards in photoacoustic imaging.

Implementation Method 1

a diffuser panel configured to diffuse the emitted light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

the receiver 106 receives a photoacoustic wave generated from the object by a photoacoustic effect to convert the generated photoacoustic wave into an electric signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoacoustic effect: Photoacoustic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9901257B2Object information acquiring apparatus and photoacoustic probe

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 CANON KK

AI summary

There is provided an object information acquiring apparatus that includes: an optical system forming light from a light source; an emission end emitting the light; a diffuser panel diffusing the emitted light; a spacer defining a distance between the diffuser panel and an object; a receiver receiving an acoustic wave generated from the object to which the light is emitted; and a processor acquiring information on inside of the object on the basis of the acoustic wave.