VCSEL Handheld Optoacoustic Imaging With Integrated Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optoacoustic imaging devices are bulky, expensive, power-consuming, and complex, requiring active cooling, and pose laser safety concerns, making them impractical for routine clinical use due to the need for safety goggles and specialized equipment.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device using VCSEL sensor units with integrated resonators and photodiodes for coherent detection and separate detectors for incoherent detection, enabling precise positional tracking and laser safety classification without goggles, allowing compact, reliable, and simple operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high power lasers (e.g., Nd:YAG+OPO) or LEDs are used for optoacoustic imaging, then sufficient illumination intensity is achieved, but the devices become bulky, power-consuming, and require active cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple VCSELs into an array configuration integrated within a handheld probe, merging the illumination function with the ultrasound transducer array to create a unified compact device that eliminates the need for separate bulk laser systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from using high power lasers (Nd:YAG+OPO) or LEDs to using VCSELs operating at specific wavelengths (e.g., 1064 nm), changing the light source parameters to achieve sufficient illumination intensity while maintaining compact size and reducing power consumption
2Illumination intensity
If high power lasers are used for optoacoustic imaging, then sufficient illumination intensity is achieved, but power consumption increases and active cooling is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the light source from high power lasers requiring active cooling to VCSELs with superior wall-plug efficiency that consume less power and generate less heat, eliminating the need for active cooling systems
Solution Approach 2:
The VCSEL array is integrated directly with the ultrasound transducer elements, merging the optical and acoustic functions into a single compact unit that reduces overall power consumption and eliminates separate cooling requirements
3Illumination intensity
If class 3B/4 lasers are used for optoacoustic imaging, then sufficient illumination intensity is achieved, but laser safety requirements necessitate wearing safety goggles and require specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the laser class from 3B/4 to class 1 or 1M by using VCSELs with appropriate power levels and beam characteristics, eliminating the requirement for safety goggles and specialized laser safety equipment while maintaining sufficient illumination for imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex, and safety-restricted high power laser systems with simpler, safer, and more cost-effective VCSEL arrays that do not require specialized safety equipment or trained personnel
4Measurement precision
If 6DoF positioning support is added for volumetric imaging, then positional accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to gyro technology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical gyro-based positioning systems with optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based motion tracking using VCSEL sensor units, substituting mechanical complexity with optical measurement techniques that achieve comparable or superior precision
5Productivity
If dedicated electronics with high throughput acquisition hardware are used, then data acquisition capability is improved, but electronics cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the VCSEL control electronics, ultrasound signal acquisition hardware, and image reconstruction processing into a unified handheld device architecture, merging previously separate expensive components into a single cost-effective integrated system
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
Enables precise positional tracking and laser safety classification, facilitating compact, reliable, and simple optoacoustic and ultrasound imaging, suitable for routine clinical use with reduced power consumption and safety risks.
Implementation Method 1
at least one VCSEL sensor unit comprising a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), a laser resonator and a photodiode provided in and/or at the laser resonator and being arranged and/or configured to: illuminate the object with first electromagnetic radiation emerging from the laser resonator; allow second electromagnetic radiation, which has been reflected and/or scattered by the object in response to illuminating the object with the first electromagnetic radiation, to enter the laser resonator and mix and/or interfere with the first electromagnetic radiation, whereby an interference signal is obtained; and detect the interference signal with the photodiode
Implementation Method 2
allow second electromagnetic radiation, which has been reflected and/or scattered by the object in response to illuminating the object with the first electromagnetic radiation, to enter the laser resonator and mix and/or interfere with the first electromagnetic radiation, whereby an interference signal is obtained
Implementation Method 3
detect the interference signal with the photodiode
Implementation Method 4
an illumination unit comprising at least one radiation source configured to illuminate the object with pulses of electromagnetic radiation; and a detection unit configured to detect ultrasonic waves emanating from the object in response to illuminating the object with the pulses of electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a handheld device for optoacoustic imaging of an object, wherein the device comprises: i) at least one VCSEL sensor unit comprising a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), a laser resonator and a photodiode provided in and/or at the laser resonator and being arranged and/or configured to illuminate the object with first electromagnetic radiation emerging from the laser resonator, allow second electromagnetic radiation, which has been reflected and/or scattered by the object in response to illuminating the object with the first electromagnetic radiation, to enter the laser resonator and mix and/or interfere with the first electromagnetic radiation, whereby an interference signal is obtained, and detect the interference signal with the photodiode, wherein the at least one electronic controller is configured to derive, based on the detected interference signal, positional information regarding a position and/or distance and/or movement of the at least one VCSEL sensor unit and/or the handheld device relative to the object; and/or ii) at least one vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) configured to illuminate the object with first electromagnetic radiation, a detector, in particular an optical or ultrasound detector, configured to, in particular incoherently, detect a response signal, in particular an optical signal or an ultrasound signal, emanating from the object in response to illuminating the object with the first electromagnetic radiation, wherein the at least one electronic controller is configured to derive, based on the detected response signal, a time measure characterizing a duration (time of flight) it takes for the first electromagnetic radiation to travel from the VCSEL to the object and, after reflection or conversion into an ultrasound wave by the object, back to the detector, and to derive positional information regarding a height position and/or distance of the at least one VCSEL and/or handheld device relative to the object. The disclosure further relates to an according handheld device for ultrasound imaging and an according system for optoacoustic or ultrasound imaging.