Abstract: A system and method for monitoring laser therapy of a target tissue include a therapeutic control unit having a first light source configured to deliver light to the target tissue for therapy, an ultrasonic transducer for receiving photoacoustic signals generated due to optical absorption of light energy by the target tissue, and a monitoring control unit in communication with the ultrasonic transducer for reconstructing photoacoustic tomographic images from the received photoacoustic signals to provide an optical energy deposition map of the target tissue. A second light source utilized for imaging may also be provided.

Abstract: A system and method for spectroscopic photoacoustic tomography of a sample include at least one light source configured to deliver light pulses at two or more different wavelengths to the sample. An ultrasonic transducer is disposed adjacent to the sample for receiving photoacoustic signals generated due to optical absorption of the light pulses by the sample. A control system is provided in communication with the ultrasonic transducer for reconstructing photoacoustic tomographic images from the received photoacoustic signals, wherein upon application of light pulses of two or more different wavelengths to the sample, the control system is configured to determine the local spectroscopic absorption of substances at any location in the sample. The system may further provide for one or more of ultrasound imaging. Doppler ultrasound imaging, and diffuse optical imaging of the sample.

Abstract: A system and method for photoacoustic tomography of a sample, such as a mammalian joint, includes a light source configured to deliver light to the sample, an ultrasonic transducer disposed adjacent to the sample for receiving photoacoustic signals generated due to optical absorption of the light by the sample, a motor operably connected to at least one of the sample and the ultrasonic transducer for varying a position of the sample and the ultrasonic transducer with respect to one another along a scanning path, and a control system in communication with the light source, the ultrasonic transducer, and the motor for reconstructing photoacoustic images of the sample from the received photoacoustic signals.

Abstract: A system and method for photoacoustic guided diffuse optical imaging of a sample include at least one light source configured to deliver light to the sample, at least one ultrasonic transducer disposed adjacent to the sample for receiving photoacoustic signals generated due to optical absorption of the light by the sample, and at least one optical detector for receiving optical signals generated due to light scattered by the sample. A control system is provided in communication with the at least one light source, the ultrasonic transducer, and the optical detector for reconstructing photoacoustic images of the sample from the received photoacoustic signals and reconstructing optical images of the sample from the received optical signals. The priori anatomical information and spatially distributed optical parameters of biological tissues from the photoacoustic images employed in diffuse optical imaging may improve the accuracy of measurements and the reconstruction speed.