Methods of photoacoustic imaging

US6662040B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Amersham Health AS · NO

Inventors

• Paul Mark Henrichs · Houston, US
• Marten Eriksen · Oslo, NO
• Pal Rongved · Oslo, NO
• Wolfgang H. H. Gunther · Hersbruck, DE
• Robert A. Snow · West Chester, US
• Kenneth R. Hollister · Pittsford, US
• Gregory L. McIntire · West Chester, US
• Steven Coffey · Stonington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 10, 1999
• Grant date: Dec 9, 2003
• Expiry date: Dec 10, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S977/949
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of generating an image of an animate human or non-human animal body or part thereof. The method comprises administering to said body a physiologically tolerable contrast agent comprising a radiation absorbing component and/or a pressure inducing component, exposing said body to radiation, detecting pressure waves generated in said body by said radiation and generating an optoacoustic image therefrom of at least a part of said body containing the administered contrast agent.