Low-Cost Multi-Wavelength Photoacoustic Imaging Based on Portable Continuous-Wave Laser Diode Module

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Medical Imaging Technology
• Laser Physics

Background:

• Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) combines optical contrast and ultrasound penetration.
• Conventional multi-wavelength PAI requires expensive multi-wavelength nanosecond pulsed laser sources.
• The nonlinear photoacoustic effect links signal amplitude to tissue base temperature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a cost-effective continuous-wave multi-wavelength laser source for PAI.
• To reduce the overall cost of multi-wavelength PAI systems.
• To explore an alternative method for achieving multi-wavelength PAI.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the nonlinear photoacoustic effect.
• Employing continuous-wave lasers of different wavelengths to induce varying tissue temperature changes.
• Using a single-wavelength pulsed laser to generate photoacoustic signals based on temperature variations.
• Developing a novel continuous-wave multi-wavelength laser source.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a method to achieve multi-wavelength PAI using continuous-wave lasers.
• Successfully developed a continuous-wave multi-wavelength laser source.
• Laid the groundwork for cost reduction in multi-wavelength PAI systems.
• Conducted qualitative and quantitative experiments to validate the principle.

Conclusions:

• A continuous-wave multi-wavelength laser source can effectively reduce the cost of multi-wavelength PAI.
• The nonlinear photoacoustic effect provides a viable mechanism for temperature-based multi-wavelength PAI.
• This approach offers a promising alternative for advancing affordable photoacoustic imaging techniques.