# US 2014/0155739 A1 · System for enabling generation of photoacoustic images > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155739 A1 - Document ID: US20140155739A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/233,630 - Filed: 2012-07-19 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-20 - Assignees: Universiteit Twente - Inventors: Srirang Manohar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155739A1 ## CPC - A61B 5/0095: {by applying light and detecting acoustic waves, i.e. photoacoustic measurements} - A61B 5/6848: {Needles} - A61B 10/0233: {Pointed or sharp biopsy instruments} - A61B 34/20: Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis - G01N 21/1702: {with opto-acoustic detection, e.g. for gases or analysing solids} - A61B 8/08: Clinical applications (A61B8/02, A61B8/04, A61B8/06 take precedence) - A61B 2017/00106: {ultrasonic} - A61B 2017/00796: {Breast surgery} - A61B 2090/378: {using ultrasound} - G01N 2021/1706: {in solids} - G01N 2201/08: Optical fibres; light guides - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for enabling generation of photoacoustic images comprising a light source, a biopsy needle having a needle body with a distal portion, the needle body being provided with an optical fiber adapted to conduct light from the light source via the distal portion towards a target region, wherein the light source comprises a pulsed or modulated light source having a wavelength in the range of 200-2500 nm. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a laser source operating with 1-200 ns pulses. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, further comprising an ultrasonic unit adapted to enable an image-guided insertion of the biopsy needle into the target region and to detect photoacoustic signal generated by the target region. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is provided with beam shaping optics. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is provided with beam-diffusing optics. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is provided with beam directing optics. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is provided with beam sizing optics. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the biopsy needle is provided with a plurality of optical fibers adapted to conduct light from the source towards the target region. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the needle body is at least partially manufactured from a light guiding material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the needle body is fully manufactured form the light guiding material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein a wall of the needle body is manufactured from the light guiding material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of biopsy needles adapted to conduct light from a remote light source via the distal portion towards the target region. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the operating wavelength of the light source is tunable. ### Claim 14 A method of generating photoacoustic images comprises the steps of: generating photoacoustic signals using a pulsed or modulated light source having a wavelength in the range of 200-2500 nm; using a biopsy needle provided with an optical fiber to illuminate a target region using said light. ### Claim 15 A biopsy needle having a needle body with a distal portion, the needle body being provided with an optical fiber adapted to conduct light from a remote light source via the distal portion towards a target region, wherein the optical fiber is provided with beam shaping optics. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The needle according to claim 15, wherein the optical fiber is provided with beam-diffusing optics. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The needle according to claim 15, wherein the optical fiber is provided with beam directing optics. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The needle according to claim 15, wherein the beam shaping optics is adapted for enabling beam sizing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The needle according to claim 15, wherein the biopsy needle is provided with a plurality of optical fibers adapted to conduct light from the source towards the target region. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The needle according to claim 15, wherein the needle body is at least partially manufactured from a light guiding material.