Miniaturized photoacoustic imaging apparatus including a rotatable reflector

1. A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope comprising:

a tube;

a light source configured to emit a light pulse suitable for photoacoustic imaging;

a signal detection or detection and transmission unit configured to detect or emit and detect an ultrasonic pulse; and

a reflector rotatable relative to said tube and configured to:

reflect the light pulse and the ultrasonic pulse into a target area of an object; and

reflect a response signal to said signal detection unit, the response signal being one of a photoacoustic wave generated by the object responsive to the light pulse and an ultrasonic pulse echo generated by the object responsive to the ultrasonic pulse.

2. A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a micromotor coupled at a first end to said reflector, said micromotor configured to impart a rotational force on said reflector.

3. A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope in accordance with claim 2 , wherein said micromotor comprises a galvanometer lead.

4. A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope in accordance with claim 2 , wherein said micromotor comprises a plurality of gears.

5. A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope in accordance with claim 2 , wherein said micromotor is coupled at a second end to a gear mechanism.

6. A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a micromotor and a magnet assembly, said magnet assembly coupled to said reflector.

7. A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope in accordance with claim 6 , wherein said magnet assembly comprises a first magnet coupled to said micromotor and a second magnet positioned with respect to said first magnet and coupled to said reflector, said micromotor configured to generate torque, said first magnet configured to convert the torque into a magnetic field, said second magnet configured to rotate said reflector based on the magnetic field.

8. A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said signal detection unit comprises an ultrasonic transducer, said reflector comprises a parabolic mirror configured to reflect and focus the response signal onto said ultrasonic transducer.

9. A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said reflector comprises a plurality of reflective surfaces.

10. A reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said endoscope is sized to fit within a catheter.

11. An endoscopy system comprising:

a reflection-mode photoacoustic endoscope comprising:

a tube;

a light source configured to emit a light pulse suitable for photoacoustic imaging;

a signal detection or transmission unit configured to detect or emit an ultrasonic pulse; and

a mirror rotatable relative to said tube configured to reflect the light pulse and the ultrasonic pulse into a target area of an object, and reflect a response signal to said signal detection unit, the response signal being one of a photoacoustic wave generated by the object responsive to the light pulse and an ultrasonic pulse echo generated by the object responsive to the ultrasonic pulse;

a data-acquisition system configured to receive an electronic signal generated by said signal detection unit based on the response signal; and

a data-analysis computer configured to generate an image based on the electronic signal.

12. An endoscopy system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein said endoscope further comprises a micromotor coupled at a first end to said mirror, said micromotor configured to impart a rotational force on said mirror.

13. An endoscopy system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein said endoscope further comprises a micromotor and a magnet assembly, said magnet assembly coupled to said mirror.

14. An endoscopy system in accordance with claim 13 , wherein said magnet assembly comprises a first magnet coupled to said micromotor and a second magnet positioned with respect to said first magnet and coupled to said mirror, said micromotor configured to generate torque, said first magnet configured to convert the torque into a magnetic field, said second magnet configured to rotate said mirror based on the magnetic field.

15. An endoscopy system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein said signal detection unit comprises an ultrasonic transducer, said mirror comprises a parabolic mirror configured to reflect and focus the response signal onto said ultrasonic transducer.

16. An endoscopy system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein said mirror comprises a plurality of reflective surfaces.

17. An endoscopy system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein said endoscope is sized to fit within a catheter.

18. An endoscopy scanning method comprising:

emitting a light pulse and an ultrasonic pulse;

reflecting the pulses into an object using a mirror rotatable relative to a tube such that a response signals are emitted by the object responsive to the pulses;

reflecting the response signals, by the mirror, to a signal detection unit, the response signals being a photoacoustic wave generated by the object in response to the light pulse and an ultrasonic pulse echo generated by the object in response to the ultrasonic pulse;

generating electronic signals based on the response signals; and

generating an image based on the electronic signals.

19. An endoscopy scanning method in accordance with claim 18 , further comprising rotating the mirror using a micromotor coupled to a plurality of gears.

20. An endoscopy scanning method in accordance with claim 18 , further comprising rotating the mirror using a micromotor coupled to a magnet assembly.