US 12,029,490 B2
Low energy photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) and combined PAM, dye-based microscopy, and optical coherence tomography
Wei Zhang, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Xueding Wang, Ann Arbor, MI (US); and Yannis Paulus, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Assigned to The Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Filed by The Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Filed on May 14, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/320,755.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/025,486, filed on May 15, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0353142 A1, Nov. 18, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 3/13 (2006.01); A61B 3/10 (2006.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); G02B 27/14 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 3/13 (2013.01) [A61B 3/102 (2013.01); A61B 5/0095 (2013.01); G02B 27/141 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a) a laser light source configured to generate an initial nanosecond pulsed laser beam (initial low-energy NPLB), wherein said initial low-energy NPLB is at a pulse energy level of between 1.0 nJ and 7.0 nJ;
b) a beam splitter configured to split said initial low-energy NPLB into a transmitted low-energy NPLB and a reflected low-energy NPLB;
c) a focusing assembly configured to direct said reflected low-energy NPLB into a designated area on or inside an object thereby causing localized thermoelastic expansion which generates ultrasonic waves;
d) an ultrasonic transducer configured to detect said ultrasonic waves and generate a detected signal;
e) a first amplifier that is a low-noise amplifier configured to amplify said detected signal to generate a first-amplified signal;
f) a second amplifier configured to amplify said first-amplified signal to generate a second-amplified signal; and
g) a multi-channel data acquisition system (DAQ) comprising first, second, and third input channels each of which are configured to receive a portion of said second amplified signal such that first, second, and third digital signals are generated.