Optoacoustic imaging systems and methods with enhanced safety

Abstract

An optoacoustic system and method for providing enhanced laser safety includes a laser light source, a control and processing system, a laser override, and an array of optoacoustic transducers. The laser light source is capable of generating a laser light pulse upon receiving a laser light source trigger. The control and processing system is configured to generate a laser light source trigger, to receive and process ultrasound data, and to control operation of the optoacoustic system. The control and processing system determines whether received ultrasound data reflects acoustic coupling between the transducer array and the volume. The laser override is configured to automatically prevent the generation of a laser light pulse if received ultrasound data does not reflect acoustic coupling between the optoacoustic transducer array and the volume.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An optoacoustic system comprising:
 laser light source capable of generating a laser light pulse having a first predominant wavelength upon receiving a laser light source trigger;   a control and processing system;   a handheld probe having a distal end;   a plurality of transducers at the distal end of the handheld probe, the plurality of transducers being adapted to be acoustically coupled to a volume and transmit and receive ultrasound data;   electrical path operatively connecting the control and processing system to the plurality of transducers;   light path for operatively connecting the laser light source to a light exit port at the distal end of the handheld probe;   a proximity detector configured to provide information concerning a distance between the distal end of the probe to a surface of a volume;   the control and processing system being operatively connected to the proximity detector such that the control and processing system is configured to obtain the information concerning the distance between the distal end of the probe to the surface of the volume provided by the proximity detector; and   a laser safety automatically preventing the transmission of laser light to the volume if the information concerning the distance provided by the proximity detector is not within a predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         2 . The optoacoustic system of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity detector includes a mechanical contact switch at the distal end of the probe. 
     
     
         3 . The optoacoustic system of  claim 2 , wherein the proximity detector also includes an optical switch configured to receive reflections of the laser light pulse from the surface of the volume. 
     
     
         4 . The optoacoustic system of  claim 3 , wherein the proximity sensor also includes a conductive switch that is configured to be closed by contact with the volume or other materials between the volume and the distal end of the probe. 
     
     
         5 . The optoacoustic system of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity sensor includes an acoustic transducer switch that detects the distance between the volume to the distal end of the probe by transmitting the sound and receiving the reflection of the sound within a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         6 . The optoacoustic system of  claim 1 , where the proximity sensor includes the plurality of transducers. 
     
     
         7 . The optoacoustic system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of transducers are configured to receive an ultrasound image. 
     
     
         8 . The optoacoustic system of  claim 1 , further comprising an optical detector within the probe and operatively connected to the control and processing system, the optical detector configured to take an energy measurement of the laser light pulse. 
     
     
         9 . The optoacoustic system of  claim 8 , wherein the control and processing system includes a computer within a system chassis that communicates with the optical detector via a control signal line, the system chassis configured to determine an energy output of the laser light pulse based on the energy measurement of the optical detector. 
     
     
         10 . The optoacoustic system of  claim 9 , wherein the computer of the system chassis regulates the energy output of the laser light pulse. 
     
     
         11 . The optoacoustic system of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of transducers includes a transducer receiver that varies gain based on the light energy. 
     
     
         12 . The optoacoustic system of  claim 11 , wherein the computer of the system chassis is configured to vary the gain of the transducer receiver based on the light energy. 
     
     
         13 . The optoacoustic system of  claim 1 , wherein the laser safety includes laser safety logic that automatically prevents the transmission of laser light to the volume if the ultrasound data does not reflect acoustic coupling. 
     
     
         14 . The optoacoustic system of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity detector includes an optically and acoustically transparent, conductive surface.