Patent ID: 10856740

Abstract:
A thermoacoustic imaging device is provided having a transmitter configured to provide an electromagnetic transmit signal (e.g. a continuous sinusoidal signal) to an object being imaged. The transmit signal is a modulated continuous-wave signal based on a carrier frequency signal fc modulated at a modulation frequency at or near fm. The detector is further configured to receive an acoustic signal from the object being imaged, and is responsive to acoustic frequencies at or near 2fm. A non-linear thermoacoustic effect in the object being imaged generates the acoustic signal from the object being imaged. Spectroscopic maps could be generated and imaged object could be analyzed. The device enhances signal-to-noise ratio of the reconstructed image and reduces the requirement of peak power in thermoacoustic imaging systems. In addition, the generated pressure of the imaged object is separated from microwave leakage and feedthrough in frequency through the nonlinear thermoacoustic effect.