Abstract: A thermoacoustic imaging apparatus comprises an electromagnetic radiation source, an acoustic signal detection probe and a radiation responsive acoustic signal generator outside the sample area. The detection probe arrangement detects both signals generated in the sample area in response to the electromagnetic irradiation and an acoustic signal from the radiation responsive acoustic signal generator that has traveled through the sample area. An acoustic transmission parameter such as a speed of sound or absorption as a function of a position in the sample area is computed from signals due to the radiation responsive acoustic signal generator. The acoustic transmission parameter is used to correct the computation of a thermoacoustic image from detections due to acoustic signals generated in the sampled area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system 10 for enabling generation of photoacoustic images, comprising a light source 3 arranged to generate pulsed or modulated light having a wavelength in the range of 200-2500 nm, a biopsy needle having a needle body 4 with a distal portion 4a, the needle body being provided with an optical fiber 5 having a distal portion 5a and adapted to conduct the light from the light source 3 via the distal portion 5a towards a target region 2 located inside a patient 1. Photoacoustic signals 7 generated in the target region 2 are advantageously intercepted by a suitable detector, such as a per se known ultrasonic probe 6. The ultrasonic probe 6 may be connected to a data processing system 8 for visualizing suitable images 9a on a display 9. The invention further relates to a method of generating photoacoustic images and to a biopsy needle.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic imaging apparatus comprises an electromagnetic radiation source configured to irradiate a sample area and an acoustic signal detection probe arrangement for detecting acoustic signals. A radiation responsive acoustic signal generator is added outside the sample area. The detection probe arrangement detects both signals generated in a sample area in response to the irradiation and an acoustic signal from the radiation responsive acoustic signal generator that has traveled through the sample area. A computing system distinguishes first acoustic signal detections attributed to the acoustic signal generated by the radiation responsive acoustic signal generator and second acoustic signal detections attributed to the acoustic signals generated by the sample area. The computing system performs a tomographic computation of an acoustic transmission parameter as a function of a position in the sample area from the first acoustic signal detections.