Patent ID: 11877828
Assignee: SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 19:
20. The differential photoacoustic intravascular imaging system according to claim 18 further comprising:
an intravascular imaging probe comprising:
a hollow shaft; and
an imaging conduit extending through the hollow shaft, the imaging conduit comprising one or more optical fibers, wherein the first modulated optical energy and the second modulated optical energy is directed into the one or more optical fibers;
an imaging assembly mechanically coupled to the imaging conduit at a remote location from a proximal end of the imaging conduit, wherein the imaging assembly is configured to direct the first modulated optical energy and the second modulated optical energy out of a distal end of the one or more optical fibers, the imaging assembly further comprising the ultrasound transducer, wherein the ultrasound transducer is oriented to receive photoacoustic energy that is externally generated in response to absorption of the first modulated optical energy and the second modulated optical energy; and
a scanning mechanism for scanning the first modulated optical energy and the second modulated optical energy;
wherein the control and image processing circuitry is operably connected to the scanning mechanism for controlling scanning of the first modulated optical energy and the second modulated optical energy for the generation of intravascular photoacoustic radar images.