Patent ID: 8843190
Filing Date: 2014-09-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for photoacoustic (PA) superficial medical imaging, the apparatus comprising: a source of electromagnetic (EM) radiation configured to provide a beam of EM radiation to a superficial region of a patient, wherein the superficial region has an exposed surface, and wherein the beam of EM radiation provides a beam spot to the exposed surface; at least one acoustic receiver configured to receive acoustic radiation from the beam spot on the exposed surface; wherein the at least one acoustic receiver and the exposed surface are separated from each other by a gaseous medium; wherein the at least one acoustic receiver is substantially responsive to surface PA radiation generated by EM absorption at the exposed surface; and wherein the at least one acoustic receiver is substantially less responsive to bulk PA radiation generated by EM absorption at locations in the patient below the exposed surface than to the surface PA radiation.