Optoacoustic probe
An optoacoustic probe for optoacoustic imaging of a volume, the optoacoustic probe having a distal end operable to contact the volume and a proximal end. The optoacoustic probe includes at least one primary light source and an auxiliary light source that is configured to generate auxiliary light carried through an optical window to a volume. A detection device is configured to detect signals generated from the auxiliary light or primary light reflecting from the volume or the optical window. A microcontroller including one or more processors is also provided, that receives the signals generated from the auxiliary light reflecting from the volume from the detection device, determines contact between the volume and the optoacoustic probe based on the auxiliary light reflecting from the volume, and prevents the at least one primary light source from generating light until the optoacoustic probe is contacting the volume.
1. An optoacoustic probe for optoacoustic imaging of a volume, the optoacoustic probe having a distal end operable to contact the volume and a proximal end, the optoacoustic probe comprising:
at least one laser outside a probe housing configured to generate light that is transmitted along a light path to generate optoacoustic return signals when the light reacts with the volume;
an optical window configured to carry the light along the light path to the volume;
a light emitting diode within the probe housing and configured to generate auxiliary light carried through the optical window to the volume during operation of the optoacoustic probe;
a detection device configured to detect signals generated from the light emitting diode and the light generated by the at least one laser reflecting from the volume or the optical window; and
a microcontroller including one or more processors, and a memory coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the memory stores program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by the one or more processors to:
receive the signals generated from the auxiliary light reflecting from the volume;
determine contact between the volume and the optoacoustic probe based on the signals generated from the auxiliary light reflecting from the volume; and
prevent the at least one laser from generating the light until the optoacoustic probe is contacting the volume;
wherein the light emitting diode is within a distal portion of the probe housing adjacent to the optical window.
2. The optoacoustic probe of claim 1 , further comprising a triggering system configured to actuate the at least one laser and the light emitting diode and configured to prevent actuation of the at least one laser before actuation of the light emitting diode.
3. The optoacoustic probe of claim 2 , further comprising a foot actuator coupled to the triggering system; wherein responsive to actuation of the foot actuator, the triggering system actuates the light emitting diode.
4. The optoacoustic probe of claim 1 , wherein the detection device is disposed adjacent the optical window.
5. The optoacoustic probe of claim 1 , wherein the detection device is at least one of a light sensor, thermopile, oxygen meter, piezoelectric sensor, spectrometer, digital camera, or charge couple device.
6. The optoacoustic probe of claim 1 , wherein the signals generated from the auxiliary light reflecting from the volume are sound based signals.
7. The optoacoustic probe of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive the signals generated from the auxiliary light reflecting from the volume while the at least one laser generates the light.
8. A method of triggering a laser of an optoacoustic probe comprising:
actuating a light emitting diode within a probe housing to generate an auxiliary light carried through an optical window to a volume during operation of the optoacoustic probe;
detecting the auxiliary light after the auxiliary light has reflected from the volume;
determining when the optoacoustic probe contacts the volume based on the auxiliary light after the auxiliary light has reflected from the volume;
triggering the laser located outside the probe housing in response to determining the optoacoustic probe contacts the volume; and
preventing the laser from actuating in response to determining the optoacoustic probe is not contacting the volume, the laser configured to generate light along a light path;
wherein preventing the laser from actuating in response to determining the optoacoustic probe is not contacting the volume includes ignoring a command to actuate the laser based on the auxiliary light detected;
wherein the light emitting diode is within a distal portion of the probe housing adjacent to the optical window of the probe housing.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein determining when the optoacoustic probe contacts the volume based on the auxiliary light after the auxiliary light has reflected from the volume includes determining an increase of reflected light based on the auxiliary light after the auxiliary light has reflected from the volume.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein actuating the light emitting diode includes actuating a foot actuator coupled to the light emitting diode.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein detecting the auxiliary light which is utilized to ignore the command to actuate the laser, occurs while the laser generates light.
12. An optoacoustic probe for optoacoustic imaging of a volume, the optoacoustic probe having a distal end operable to contact the volume and a proximal end, the optoacoustic probe comprising:
at least one primary light source configured to generate light that is transmitted along a light path to generate optoacoustic return signals when the light reflects from the volume;
an optical window configured to carry the light along the light path to the volume; and
an auxiliary light source configured to generate auxiliary light carried through the optical window to the volume;
wherein the auxiliary light source is a light emitting diode and the at least one primary light source is a laser;
wherein the auxiliary light source is within a housing of the optoacoustic probe; and the at least one primary light source is located outside the housing of the optoacoustic probe;
a detection device configured to detect signals generated from the auxiliary light reflecting from the volume; and
a microcontroller including one or more processors, and a memory coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the memory stores program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by the one or more processors to:
obtain the signals generated from the auxiliary light reflecting from the volume as the optoacoustic probe moves toward the volume;
determine a skin characteristic based on the signals generated from the auxiliary light reflecting from the volume as the optoacoustic probe move toward the volume;
in response to determining the skin characteristic based on the signals generated from the auxiliary light reflecting from the volume as the optoacoustic probe move toward the volume, vary an output of the at least one primary light source.
13. The optoacoustic probe of claim 12 , wherein the skin characteristic is skin color.