Detection of non-radio-opaque foreign bodies can be difficult. Current imaging modalities employed for detection of
foreign bodies include: X-ray computed tomography, magnetic resonance, and ultrasound. Successful diagnosis of the
presence of foreign bodies is variable because of the difficulty of differentiating them from soft tissue, gas, and bone.
We are applying laser-induced optoacoustic imaging to the detection of foreign bodies. Tissue-simulating phantoms
containing various common foreign bodies have been constructed. Images of these phantoms were generated by two
laser-based optoacoustic methods utilizing different detection modalities. A pre-commercial imager developed by Seno
Medical Instruments (San Antonio), incorporated an ultrasound transducer to detect induced optoacoustic responses,
while a laboratory-built imaging system utilized an optical probe beam deflection technique (PBDT) to detect the
optoacoustic responses. The laboratory-built unit also included an optical parametric oscillator as the pump, providing
tunable wavelength output to optimize the optoacoustic measurements by probing the foreign bodies at their maximum
optical absorption. Results to date have been encouraging; both methodologies have allowed us to reconstruct
successfully the image of foreign-body containing phantoms. In preliminary work the PBDT approach appeared to
produce higher resolution than did the ultrasound detector, possibly because PBDT is not constrained by the lower
bandwidth limit imposed on the ultrasound transducer necessary to increase imaging depth. During the research in
progress, we will compare the optoacoustic images to those generated by MRI, CT, and ultrasound, and continue to
improve the resolution of the technique by using multiple detection sensors, and to improve image contrast by scanning
foreign bodies over a range of wavelengths.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.