Optoacoustic Transduction for High-Frequency Ultrasound

描述(由申请人提供)： 在过去的几年里，我们开发了一种利用吸收在聚合物薄膜中的激光脉冲来光学产生超声波的技术。这种方法产生的超声波强度与压电体相当，对于高频应用特别有吸引力。我们还开发了一种使用共振光学探测器进行灵敏超声检测的补充技术。高频超声波入射到这些设备上会调节共振条件，并改变探测结构的连续波(CW)激光束的强度。 这一提议的基本假设是，这些技术将产生非常小的、能够实现高空间分辨率成像的全光超声换能器。因此，本申请中描述的研究计划的主要目标是开发一种新的血管内成像技术，在用于输送治疗性导管(通常为0.35 mm直径)的导丝尖端嵌入微型高分辨率超声成像阵列。基于导丝的超声生物显微镜(UBM)系统将在基线插管系统中将高分辨率超声成像与常规X射线透视相结合。 为了充分利用光声传输的能力，必须研究一系列广泛的技术和科学问题。因此，本应用程序的进一步目标是解决以下问题。 1)优化光学吸收聚合物结构，从1-100 MHz高效地产生超声波。将特别强调建造能够以阵列的形式在这些频率下工作的光声换能器。 2.)优化聚合物标准具，以便在1-100 MHz范围内对超声波进行灵敏的光学检测。将特别强调建造能够在这些频率上作为阵列工作的标准具。 3.)设计、建造和优化单元件光声显微镜换能器。该装置将作为全光超声换能器的测试载体。此外，它还将集成到用于眼科和皮肤科应用的高性能UBM系统中。 4.)设计、建造和优化一种用于UBM的全光高频超声阵列。该装置将作为光集成技术的测试载体。此外，通过实现实时3-D成像，这将是UBM的一个重大进步。 5.)设计、建造和优化一种全光学高频超声阵列，其尺寸可以容纳在常规导丝内，以指导冠状动脉介入治疗。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Over the last several years we have developed a technology to optically generate ultrasound using laser pulses absorbed in thin polymer films. This approach produces ultrasonic intensity comparable to piezoelectric counterparts and is especially attractive for high-frequency applications. We have also developed a complementary technology for sensitive ultrasonic detection using resonant optical detectors. High-frequency ultrasound incident on these devices modulates the resonance condition and alters the intensity of a continuous wave (CW) laser beam probing the structure. The fundamental hypothesis of this proposal is that these technologies will produce very small, all-optical ultrasonic transducers enabling high spatial resolution imaging. Therefore, the primary goal of the research program described in this application is to develop a new intravascular imaging technology embedding a miniature, high-resolution ultrasonic imaging array within the tip of a guidewire used to deliver therapeutic catheters (typically 0.35 mm in diameter). A guidewire-based ultrasonic bio-microscopy (UBM) system would combine high resolution ultrasound imaging with conventional X-ray fluoroscopy in the baseline catheterization system. A wide range of technical and scientific issues must be investigated to fully exploit the capabilities of optoacoustic transduction. Therefore, it is the further aim of this application to address the following issues. 1.) Optimize optically absorbing polymer structures for efficient ultrasonic generation from 1-100 MHz. Particular emphasis will be placed on constructing optoacoustic transducers that can operate as arrays at these frequencies. 2.) Optimize polymer etalons for sensitive optical detection of ultrasound from 1-100 MHz. Particular emphasis will be placed on constructing etalons that can operate as arrays over these frequencies. 3.) Design, construct, and optimize a single element optoacoustic microscopy transducer. This device will serve as a test vehicle for all-optical ultrasonic transducers. In addition, it will be integrated into a high-performance UBM system for ophthalmology and dermatology applications. 4.) Design, construct, and optimize an all-optical, high-frequency ultrasonic array for UBM. This device will serve as a test vehicle for optical integration technologies. In addition, it will represent a significant advance for UBM by enabling real-time 3-D imaging. 5.) Design, construct, and optimize an all-optical, high-frequency ultrasonic array with dimensions that can fit within a conventional guidewire to guide coronary artery interventions.