Phased array intravascular devices, systems, and methods utilizing photoacoustic and ultrasound techniques`

Abstract

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 measurement apparatus may include a sensor array comprising sensors of two or more types. The sensors 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an intravascular catheter or guidewire configured to be placed within a vascular pathway,   wherein the intravascular catheter or guidewire comprises a sensor array comprising at least one optical emitter and at least one transducer,   wherein the sensor array is arranged in a first cylinder-shaped layer and a second cylinder-shaped layer,   wherein the first cylinder-shaped layer is positioned around the second cylinder-shaped layer,   wherein the at least one optical emitter is configured to perform emission of optical pulses to tissue,   wherein the transducer is configured to perform at least one of:
 reception of sound waves generated by the tissue as a result of interaction of the optical pulses with the tissue; 
 transmission of ultrasound pulses; or 
 reception of ultrasound echo signals associated with the ultrasound pulses. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the sensor array is further arranged in a third cylinder-shaped layer,   wherein the second cylinder-shaped layer is positioned around the third cylinder-shaped layer.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first cylinder-shaped layer and the second cylinder-shaped layer are concentric. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first cylinder-shaped layer and the second cylinder-shaped layer are coaxial with the intravascular catheter or guidewire. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first cylinder-shaped layer is positioned around a circumference of the intravascular catheter or guidewire. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second cylinder-shaped layer is positioned within the intravascular catheter or guidewire. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one transducer comprises:
 a photoacoustic transducer configured to perform the reception of the sound waves; and   an ultrasound transducer configured to perform the transmission of ultrasound pulses and the reception of ultrasound echo signals .   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an intravascular catheter or guidewire configured to be placed within a vascular pathway,   wherein the intravascular catheter or guidewire comprises a sensor array comprising at least one photoacoustic transducer and at least one ultrasound transducer,   wherein the sensor array is arranged in a first cylinder-shaped layer and a second cylinder-shaped layer,   wherein the first cylinder-shaped layer is positioned around the second cylinder-shaped layer,   wherein the at least one photoacoustic transducer is configured to perform reception of sound waves generated by tissue as a result of interaction of optical pulses emitted by an optical emitter; and   wherein the at least one ultrasound transducer is configured to perform:
 transmission of ultrasound pulses; and 
 reception of ultrasound echo signals associated with the ultrasound pulses. 
   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the first cylinder-shaped layer comprises the at least one photoacoustic transducer and the at least one ultrasound transducer, and   wherein the second cylinder-shaped layer comprises the at least one photoacoustic transducer and the at least one ultrasound transducer.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 ,
 wherein the first cylinder-shaped layer comprises only the at least one ultrasound transducer, and   wherein the second cylinder-shaped layer comprises only at least one photoacoustic transducer.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the sensor array is further arranged in a third cylinder-shaped layer,   wherein the second cylinder-shaped layer is positioned around the third cylinder-shaped layer.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the third cylinder-shaped layer comprises only the at least one ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first cylinder-shaped layer and the second cylinder-shaped layer are concentric. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first cylinder-shaped layer and the second cylinder-shaped layer are coaxial with the intravascular catheter or guidewire. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first cylinder-shaped layer is positioned around a circumference of the intravascular catheter or guidewire. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the second cylinder-shaped layer is positioned within the intravascular catheter or guidewire.