Spectroscopic photoacoustic imaging probe

A photoacoustic imaging device, comprising:

• an ultrasonic sensor, the ultrasonic sensor extending longitudinally for defining a linear sensing area;
• an illumination source defined by a photoacoustic bundle, the photoacoustic bundle including a plurality of diffusion fibers flanking the ultrasonic sensor and irradiating an irradiation region aligned with the sensing area, each of the diffusion fibers terminating in the respective illumination source, wherein an imaging plane is defined by an intersection of an irradiation region extending from each of the illumination sources and the linear sensing area;
• and a controller connected to the illumination source for pulsed illumination of the illumination source and corresponding reception of acoustic signals by the ultrasonic sensor.

A photoacoustic imaging system, comprising:

• an ultrasonic sensor, the ultrasonic sensor extending longitudinally along an elongated probe for defining a linear sensing area;
• at least two illumination sources, each illumination source extending longitudinally adjacent the elongated probe for irradiating a sensing region aligned with the linear sensing area, each illumination source emanating from a tangentially flattened distal portion of a respective optic fiber;
• and a controller connected to the illumination sources through a bore in the probe for pulsed illumination of the illumination sources and corresponding reception of acoustic signals by the ultrasonic sensor.