Abstract
A new light illumination scheme to increase imaging depth in photoacoustic (PA) imaging was designed and evaluated by in silico simulations and tested by in vitro experiments. A relatively large portion of the light energy shining into the body of a human reflects off the skin surfaces. Collecting the reflected light and redirecting it onto skin surfaces will increase the effective input energy, resulting in an increase of light penetration depth for the same light source. Its performance in PA imaging was evaluated using a finite element (FE)-based numerical simulation model composed of four modules. In the in vitro experiments with the light catcher, PA image of multiple targets at different locations exhibited an enhancement both in uniformity and in depth of the light illumination.
Highlights
One of the important challenges in photoacoustic (PA) imaging for in vivo animal study and eventual clinical translation is the limited penetration depth of the source light [1]
The PA imaging depth is mainly limited by the attenuation of the source laser light at NIR ranges propagating through the soft tissues, and an optimal design of the light source and energy delivery method is pivotal for the deep tissue PA imaging
The designed light catcher significantly increases the light penetration depth and the uniformity of the light illumination in soft tissues, which are critical for the deep tissue PA imaging applications
Summary
One of the important challenges in photoacoustic (PA) imaging for in vivo animal study and eventual clinical translation is the limited penetration depth of the source light [1]. Multiple random reflections inside the light catcher will help distribute light energy more evenly to the skin surface, more uniform light distribution at depth is expected In this way using a compact light catcher, input source light for PA imaging can be delivered over the extended area of imaging with higher efficiency, uniformity, and safety compared to other conventional methods such as direct illumination onto the skin using an expanded beam with higher source power. This concept to enhance the light propagation depth was previously proposed and evaluated only by in silico simulation under limited conditions [9]
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