System for enabling generation of photoacoustic images

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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.