Review of Low-Cost Photoacoustic Sensing and Imaging Based on Laser Diode and Light-Emitting Diode

Abstract

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT), a promising medical imaging method that combines optical and ultrasound techniques, has been developing for decades mostly in preclinical application. A recent trend is to utilize the economical laser source to develop a low-cost sensing and imaging system, which aims at an affordable solution in clinical application. These low-cost laser sources have different modulation modes such as pulsed modulation, continuous modulation and coded modulation to generate different profiles of PA signals in photoacoustic (PA) imaging. In this paper, we review the recent development of the photoacoustic sensing and imaging based on the economical laser sources such as laser diode (LD) and light-emitting diode (LED) in different kinds of modulation types, and discuss several representative methods to improve the performance of such imaging systems based on low-cost laser sources. Finally, some perspectives regarding the future development of portable PAT systems are discussed, followed by the conclusion.

Transducer-matched multipulse excitation for signal-to-noise ratio improvement in diode laser-based photoacoustic systems

“…Finally, the results reported are related to the recently introduced advanced PAI modalities, 20,22 demonstrating that the effect of the transducer resonance has to be taken into account in the conditions where dense illumination patterns are used.…”

Electromagnetic–Acoustic Sensing for Biomedical Applications

“…Overall, EMA is still in its infancy and has not yet been applied clinically, although many initial studies have demonstrated the potential for applications in the biomedical field. Several research groups are also working toward making EMA low-cost [ 143 ], stable [ 144 ], compact [ 145 ], and easy to use [ 146 ], therefore driving its translation into clinical applications. Improvement in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, penetration depth, reconstruction algorithm, and sensing speed will further improve the imaging and sensing performance of EMA.…”

In vivo detection of venous sinus distension due to intracranial hypotension in small animal using pulsed‐laser‐diode photoacoustic tomography

“…In recent years, pulsed laser diode (PLD) has been gaining attention as an excitation source for PAT imaging systems. It is due to its lower cost, compact size and high repetition rate in comparison with the traditional Nd:YAG‐based laser excitation sources. PLD‐based PAT system for various applications such as brain imaging, monitoring wash in and wash out of contrast agents, diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, and diagnosis of rheumatological disorders have been demonstrated already.…”