An ultra compact laser diode source for integration in a handheld point-of-care photoacoustic scanner

摘要

Photoacoustics is a novel medical imaging technique with high potential for early detection of different diseases such as skin cancer or rheumatology. It is a hybrid modality with pulsed laser light for excitation of the tissue, and ultrasound as response. One of the hurdles for its introduction into the clinic, or even in clinical pilot studies and larger trials, is the bulkiness and price of existing photoacoustic systems. This presentation describes how recent developments in diode laser technology lead to a compact ultrasound scanner with built-in photoacoustic functionality. This is a key for the introduction of photoacoustic technology in the clinic and future point of care systems. We have developed a diode laser system and driver that deliver pulse energies which up to now were only achievable with Nd:YAG lasers. The efficiency and compactness allows integration in a handheld probe. The paper will highlights the laser technology and its radical integration with a medical ultrasound scanner, leading to a first prototype for clinical pilot studies.