Braided catheter-based 2.4 mm diameter photoacoustic endoscopic mini-probe

Abstract

In order for a photoacoustic endoscopic mini-probe to be useful in the field of gastrointestinal endoscopy, the relevant probe must be implemented in a way that its interior rotating body, such as the torque coil and distal unit, is sheathed by a braided catheter, while the imaging window is made of a different, adequate material that allows light and sound waves to pass through well. In this study, we have successfully implemented a 2.4 mm diameter photoacoustic endoscopic mini-probe and acquired initial in vivo imaging results using the device.