Modulation of photoacoustic signal generation from metallic surfaces

Trevor Mitcham, Kimberly Homan, Wolfgang Frey, Yun Sheng Chen, Stanislav Emelianov, John Hazle, Richard Bouchard

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

The ability to image metallic implants is important for medical applications ranging from diagnosis to therapy. Photoacoustic (PA) imaging has been recently pursued as a means to localize metallic implants in soft tissue. The work presented herein investigates different mechanisms to modulate the PA signal generated by macroscopic metallic surfaces. Wires of five different metals are tested to simulate medical implants/tools, while surface roughness is altered or physical vapor deposition (PVD) coatings are added to change the wires' overall optical absorption. PA imaging data of the wires are acquired at 970 nm. Results indicate that PA signal generation predominately occurs in a wire's metallic surface and not its aqueous surroundings. PA signal generation is similar for all metals tested, while addition of PVD coatings offers significant modulations (i.e., 4-dB enhancement and 26-dB reduction achieved) in PA signal generation. Results also suggest that PA signal increases with increasing surface roughness. Different coating and roughness schemes are then successfully utilized to generate spatial PA signal patterns. This work demonstrates the potential of surface modifications to enhance or reduce PA signal generation to permit improved PA imaging of implants/tools (i.e., providing location/orientation information) or to allow PA imaging of surrounding tissue.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number056008
JournalJournal of biomedical optics
Volume18
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2013

Keywords

  • image-guided
  • implant patterning
  • implant visualization
  • medical imaging
  • metallic surface
  • photoacoustics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Biomaterials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Biomedical Engineering

MD Anderson CCSG core facilities

  • Research Animal Support Facility
  • Small Animal Imaging Facility

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Modulation of photoacoustic signal generation from metallic surfaces'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this