Thermoacoustic tissue scanner
US6633774B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 15, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/4281
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A thermoacoustic imaging system including an electromagnetic radiation source for irradiating said tissue to stimulate a thermoacoustic response, a coupling media for acoustically coupling the response to an acoustic sensor array, and an acoustic sensor array. The array comprises sensors arranged on a surface, which is rotatable about an axis to position said sensors in a plurality of positions for detecting the thermoacoustic response. The angular extent of the surface about the axis, subtends an angle that is less than a full revolution, streamlining the device and permitting flexibility in positioning the radiation source and other elements of the device. The source of electromagnetic radiation for irradiating the tissue is a plurality of sources arranged about the tissue and producing synchronized electromagnetic radiation in varying polarizations or phases to irradiate said tissue with electromagnetic radiation of a desired polarization. A thermoacoustic imaging system sized to be held within the human hand is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.