Reconstruction of bi-dimensional images in Fourier-transform acousto-optic imaging.

We present a new, to the best of our knowledge, method to perform acousto-optic imaging based on a spatiotemporal structuration of long-duration acoustic plane waves. This approach is particularly relevant when using detectors with long integration times. We show how it is possible to reconstruct an image by measuring its two-dimensional Fourier components. A proof of concept is presented using a photorefractive detection scheme, demonstrating equal performances to direct imaging. The overall acquisition time is compatible with medical monitoring applications.

Two-color interpolation of the absorption response for quantitative acousto-optic imaging.

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is a reliable and widespread technique for monitoring qualitative changes in absorption inside highly scattering media. It has been shown, however, that acousto-optic (AO) imaging can provide significantly more qualitative information without the need for inversion algorithms due to the spatial resolution afforded by ultrasound probing. In this Letter, we show how, by using multiple-wavelength AO imaging, it is also possible to perform quantitative measurements of absorber concentration inside scattering media.

Ultrafast acousto-optic imaging with ultrasonic plane waves.

Due to multiple light scattering inside biological tissues, deep non-invasive optical medical imaging is very challenging. Acousto-optic imaging is a technique coupling ultrasound and light that allows recovering optical contrast at depths of few centimeters with a millimeter resolution. Recent advances in acousto-optic imaging are using short focused ultrasound pulses often averaged over several hundred or thousand pulses. As the pulsing rate of commercial probes is limited to about few ultrasound cycles every 100 µs, acquiring an acousto-optic image usually takes several tens of seconds due to the high number of acoustic pulses excitation. We propose here a new acousto-optic imaging technique based on the use of ultrasound plane waves instead of focused ones that allows increasing drastically the imaging rate.

Optical focusing deep inside dynamic scattering media with near-infrared time-reversed ultrasonically encoded (TRUE) light.

Focusing light deep inside living tissue has not been achieved despite its promise to play a central role in biomedical imaging, optical manipulation and therapy. To address this challenge, internal-guide-star-based wavefront engineering techniques--for example, time-reversed ultrasonically encoded (TRUE) optical focusing--were developed. The speeds of these techniques, however, were limited to no greater than 1 Hz, preventing them from in vivo applications. Here we improve the speed of optical focusing deep inside scattering media by two orders of magnitude, and focus diffuse light inside a dynamic scattering medium having a speckle correlation time as short as 5.6 ms, typical of living tissue. By imaging a target, we demonstrate the first focusing of diffuse light inside a dynamic scattering medium containing living tissue. Since the achieved focusing speed approaches the tissue decorrelation rate, this work is an important step towards in vivo deep tissue noninvasive optical imaging, optogenetics and photodynamic therapy.

Multi-modal acousto-optic/ultrasound imaging of ex vivo liver tumors at 790 nm using a Sn2 P2 S6 wavefront adaptive holographic setup.

Biological tissues are very strong light-scattering media. As a consequence, current medical imaging devices do not allow deep optical imaging unless invasive techniques are used. Acousto-optic imaging is a light-ultrasound coupling technique that takes advantage of the ballistic propagation of ultrasound in biological tissues to access optical contrast with a millimeter resolution. We have developed a photorefractive-crystal-based system that performs self-adaptive wavefront holography and works within the optical therapeutic window. As it works at an appropriate wavelength range for biological tissues imaging, it was tested on ex vivo liver samples containing tumors as a pre-clinical study. Optical contrast was obtained even if acoustical one was not significant. Ultrasound image (left) and acousto-optic image (right) of a liver biopsy with tumors. Acousto-optic imaging exhibits tumors that are not detected through ultrasound.

Time resolved three-dimensional acousto-optic imaging of thick scattering media.

Acousto-optic imaging is based on light interaction with focused ultrasound in a scattering medium. Thanks to photorefractive holography combined with pulsed ultrasound, we perform a time-resolved detection of ultrasound-modulated photons in the therapeutic window (780 nm). A high-gain SPS:Te crystal is used for this purpose and enables us to image through large optical thickness (500 mean free paths). We are able to generate three-dimensional (3D) acousto-optic images by translating a multielement ultrasound probe in only one direction. A 3D absorbing object is imaged through a 3 cm thick phantom.

Photorefractive acousto-optic imaging in thick scattering media at 790 nm with a Sn(2)P(2)S(6):Te crystal.

Acousto-optic imaging is based on ultrasound modulation of multiply scattered light in thick media. We experimentally demonstrate the possibility to perform a self-adaptive wavefront holographic detection at 790nm, within the optical therapeutic window where absorption of biological tissues is minimized. A high-gain Te-doped Sn(2)P(2)S(6) crystal is used for this purpose. Optical absorbing objects embedded within a thick scattering phantom are imaged by use of pulsed ultrasound to get a dynamic millimetric axial resolution. Our technique represents an interesting approach for breast cancer detection.

High-speed photorefraction at telecommunication wavelength 1.55 microm in Sn2P2S6:Te.

We demonstrated for what is the first time to our knowledge photorefractive two-wave mixing in a bulk ferroelectric crystal using cw light at the telecommunication wavelength 1.55 microm. In the Te-doped ferroelectric semiconductor Sn2P2S6 with absorption constant <0.1 cm(-1) at 1.55 microm, grating recording times of 10 ms and a two-beam coupling gain of 2.8 cm(-1) have been measured at 350 mW power (intensity 440 W/cm(2)) without a necessity to apply an external electric field. With a moving grating technique, a maximal gain of 6.0 cm(-1) has been obtained.

Near infrared photorefractive self focusing in Sn(2)P(2)S(6):Te crystals.

The experimental observation of photorefractive self focusing in Sn(2)P(2)S(6) : Te bulk crystals at 1.06 mum wavelength is presented. Steady state self focusing is reached as fast as 15 ms for an input peak intensity equal to 160 W/cm(2). Self focusing is maximum for input peak intensities around 15 W/cm(2) and is decreasing for intensities below and above this value.