Endoscopic Photoacoustic Probe
The invention relates to a photoacoustic ultrasound probe ( 100 ), comprising: a catheter ( 4 ), an ultrasound sensor ( 5 ) arranged at a distal end ( 40 ) of the catheter, at least one optical fibre ( 50 ) suited to being connected to a laser source, said optical fibre extending into the catheter up to the distal end ( 40 ), said probe being characterised in that the catheter has an inclined distal portion ( 42 ) and/or a bevelled distal end ( 40 ).
1 . A photoacoustic ultrasound probe, comprising:
a catheter,
an ultrasound sensor arranged at a distal end of the catheter, and
at least one optical fibre configured for being connected to a laser source, said optical fibre extending into the catheter up to the distal end,
wherein the catheter has at least one of an inclined distal portion and a bevelled distal end.
2 . The photoacoustic ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein the catheter has a distal portion inclined by an angle comprised between 10 and 30° with respect to a proximal portion of the catheter.
3 . The photoacoustic ultrasound probe of claim 1 , wherein the distal end is inclined by an angle comprised between 10 and 30° with respect to an axis of revolution of the distal part of the catheter.
4 . The photoacoustic ultrasound probe of claim 2 , in which the distal end ( 40 ) of the catheter extends in a plane inclined by 30° with respect to the proximal portion ( 41 ) of the catheter.
5 . The photoacoustic ultrasound probe f claim 1 , further comprising several optical fibres arranged on either side of the ultrasound sensor.
6 . The photoacoustic ultrasound probe of claim 1 , further comprising:
a control handle attached to the proximal portion of the catheter,
a connector configured for being connected to an ultrasound station,
an electrical connection cable extending between the connector and the handle, and
a sheath comprising a first portion surrounding the catheter, made of a material suited to allowing the ultrasounds and the laser beam to pass, a second portion surrounding the handle and the cable up to the connector, and a fitting arranged between the first and the second portion, said fitting being removably attached to the handle.
7 . The photoacoustic ultrasound probe of claim 6 , wherein the first portion is made of a polyamide-polyether block copolymer.
8 . The photoacoustic ultrasound probe of claim 6 , in wherein the first portion has a constant thickness.
9 . The photoacoustic ultrasound probe of claim 6 , wherein the thickness of the first portion is comprised between 0.4 and 0.6 mm.
10 . The photoacoustic ultrasound probe of claim 6 , wherein the second portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first portion.
11 . The photoacoustic ultrasound probe of claim 6 , wherein the fitting comprises a central opening for the passage of the catheter, the first portion being attached around said central opening of the fitting and the second portion being attached to a peripheral portion of the fitting.
12 . An imaging system comprising an ultrasound station including a laser source, and an endoscopic photoacoustic probe according to claim 1 connected to said ultrasound station, wherein the ultrasound station comprises a processor configured to display an image of the vascularisation of an intra-articular zone of interest acquired by the probe.
13 . The imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to superimpose an ultrasound image of a meniscus and a photoacoustic image of the vascularisation of said meniscus.