Optical ultrasound receiver
US8560048B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 1, 2009 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49005
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An imaging guidewire can include one or more optical fibers communicating light along the guidewire. At or near its distal end, one or more blazed or other Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) can direct light to a photoacoustic transducer material that provides ultrasonic imaging energy. Returned ultrasound can be sensed by an FBG sensor. A responsive signal can be optically communicated to the proximal end of the guidewire, and processed such as to develop a 2D or 3D image. In an example, the guidewire outer diameter can be small enough such that an intravascular catheter can be passed over the guidewire. To minimize the size of the guidewire, an ultrasound-to-acoustic transducer that is relatively insensitive to the polarization of the optical sensing signal can be used. The ultrasound-to-optical transducer can be manufactured so that it is relatively insensitive to the polarization of the optical sensing signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.