A photoacoustic imaging approach identifies, concurrently with ablation therapy, an extent of the ablation by measuring and rendering a necrotic extent of treated tissue in a treatment region. Laser pulsed light directed at the treatment region induces an acoustic (ultrasound) signal for differentiating ablated tissue from its non-ablative counterpart based on a photoacoustic spectrum variation. The acoustic signal indicates a range of necrotic extent based on a quantified ablated tissue contrast and a total contrast of both necrotic and non-necrotic tissue, defined as a fraction for computing a degree of necrosis. Generation of an image indicating the degree of necrosis allows continuous or near continuous feedback for ablation therapy guidance to ensure complete and effective ablation of the proper tissue in the treatment region.

Imaging devices, systems, and methods are provided. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are particularly directed to imaging a region of interest in tissue with photoacoustic and ultrasound modalities. In some embodiments, a medical sensing system (100) includes a measurement apparatus (102) configured to be placed within a vascular pathway. The measurement apparatus may include a sensor array (106) comprising two or more sensor modalities. The sensor array may be configured to receive sound waves created by the interaction between emitted optical pulses and tissue, transmit and receive ultrasound signals, and rotate around a longitudinal axis of the measurement device. The medical sensing system may also include a processing engine operable to produce images of the region of interest and a display configured to visually display the image of the region of interest.

A photoacoustic remote sensing system for imaging a subsurface structure in a sample, comprising exactly one laser source configured to generate a pulsed or intensity-modulated excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic pressure signals in the sample at an excitation location, and an interrogation beam incident on the sample at the excitation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic pressure signals, an optical system configured to focus the excitation beam and the interrogation beam below a surface of the sample, a detector configured to detect the returning portion of the interrogation beam, and a processor configured to calculate an image of the sample based on a detected intensity modulation of the returning portion of the interrogation beam from below the surface of the sample.

A fully automated ultrasound apparatus includes a sensor or probe which can be initially manually attached to a side of the neck of a patient, an ultrasound interface to control the sensor and periodically acquire raw ultrasound data, a signal and image processing system to autonomously convert the raw ultrasound data into a measurement that is useful to physicians, and a display to relay the current measurements and measurement history to provide data trends. The sensor can include one or more ultrasound transducers built into a housing. A disposable component can serve to secure the sensor to the neck of the patient and to provide a coupling medium between the sensor and the skin of the patient.

Imaging devices, systems, and methods are provided. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are particularly directed to imaging a region of interest in tissue with photoacoustic and ultrasound modalities. In some embodiments, a medical sensing system includes one or more external optical emitters and a measurement apparatus configured to be placed within a vascular pathway. The one or more optical emitters and the measurement apparatus may be moved together synchronously. The measurement apparatus may be configured to receive sound waves created by the interaction between emitted optical pulses and tissue, and transmit and receive ultrasound signals. The medical sensing system may also include a processing engine operable to produce images of the region of interest and a display configured to visually display the image of the region of interest.

Method and apparatus can be provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, with at least one first section of an optical enclosure, it is possible to provide at least one first electro-magnetic radiation. In addition, with at least one second section provided within the enclosure, it is possible to cause, upon impact by the first radiation, a redirection of the first radiation to become at least one second radiation. Further, with at least one third section of the optical enclosure, it is possible to cause at least one second radiation to be provided to a tissue. For example, the redirection of the first radiation causes, at least approximately, a uniform optical illumination on of a surface of the tissue.

Methods, systems, and computer program products of fusing Molecular Chemical Imaging (MCI) and Red Green Blue (RGB) images are disclosed herein. A sample is illuminated with illuminating photons which interact with the sample and are used to form MCI and RGB images. The MCI and RGB images are fused by way of mathematical operations to generate a RGB image with a detection overlay.

Systems and methods for laser catheter treatment in a vessel lumen. The method includes inserting the laser catheter within the vessel lumen to a location of a treatment area; presenting an image of the treatment area within the vessel lumen based on using an ultrasound (US) imaging system; and, detecting, in real-time, a bubble cloud that is a function of the laser catheter operation (at a prescribed speed and controlling a fluence and a pulse rate) in the treatment area. The method determines a vessel diameter, a real-time location and measurements of the bubble cloud, and estimates a dwell position and dwell time. A dynamic displayed image that is indicative of a progression of the laser catheter treatment is presented, and commands may be generated to modify the laser catheter parameters responsive to the estimated dwell position, the estimated dwell time, and a recommended treatment protocol.

Cancer treatment methods using thermotherapy and/or enhanced immunotherapy are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method comprising the steps of: (i) applying controlled thermal energy at 40-43° C. for a first predetermined time period to damage and weaken tumor cells of a tumor in a patient; (ii) administering pulsed high intensity focused ultrasound (pHIFU) in a first ultrasound mode to the tumor cells in the patient so as to damage the tumor cells without increasing the thermal energy; and (iii) administering low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) in a second ultrasound mode to further damage the tumor cells at a temperature of 39-43° C. for a second predetermined time period while performing observation of the tumor cells by ultrasonic thermometry.

An apparatus for monitoring mechanical integrity of an eye-safety component of an illuminator is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sensor, operable to sense a photoacoustic effect in the eye-safety component during operation of the illuminator and to output a signal representative of the sensed photoacoustic effect, and a processor. The processor is operable to: monitor the signal from the sensor; determine if the signal comprises at least one parameter that falls outside of a pre-determined acceptable range, the pre-determined acceptable range being indicative of mechanical integrity of the eye-safety component; and initiate a safety action in response to a determination that the at least one parameter falls outside of the pre-determined acceptable range thereby indicating a loss of mechanical integrity.