Department of Enrollment

Mechanical Engineering

Faculty Mentor Name

Michelle Sabick

Report Date

5-9-2013

Document Type

Student Presentation

Abstract

Several detection methods have been explored for photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging of biological tissues. Piezoelectric transducers are commonly used, which require contact with the sample to be imaged and have limiting bandwidth characteristics. Interferometry detection exhibits improved bandwidth characteristics and resolution, yet generally require complicated optics and the incorporation of a contacting reflective medium. In this paper, we report the use of a noncontact photoacoustic imaging system that does not require the use of a reflective layer. A simple, robust technique known as gas-coupled laser acoustic detection is used, which has previously been applied to evaluation of composite materials. This technique has the potential to reduce the complexity and cost of photoacoustic imaging devices, and allow for use in a broader range of medical applications.

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