基于长焦区聚焦换能器的扫描光声乳腺成像技术

Scanning photoacoustic mammography with a focused transducer featuring extended focal zone

报道了一种利用长焦区聚焦超声换能器检测光声信号的扫描光声乳腺成像系统.通过增加聚焦换能器焦区的长度,该技术可以快速实现对大块组织(如乳腺)的光声成像.测试结果表明,该实验系统能够对大块模拟样品中吸收体的位置、尺寸以及光能量吸收情况实现较为准确的成像.另外,实验中,该系统还可便捷地与传统的超声技术相结合,从而实现多模式复合的乳腺癌诊断.初步结果显示了该技术路线在乳腺癌早期诊断应用上的前景.

A focused transducer, featuring extended focal zone, is employed for scanning photoacoustic mammography. Using the transducer with extended focal zone, a large tissue sample can be imaged conveniently. Phantom experiments demonstrate that the location, size and optical energy deposition of absorbers can be imaged correctly. The depth and lateral resolution of image is 0.3 mm and 2 mm, respectively. And the transducer can be applied in conventional ultrasonic technology to achieve muhimode diagnosis as well. Preliminary study shows that this method could be potential in early diagnosis of breast cancer.