Optical ring resonator sensors for IntraVascular Photoacoustic Imaging
Themes: Life Science & Health, High Tech
Early lab scale demonstration
A TRL is a measure to indicate the matureness of a developing technology. When an innovative idea is discovered it is often not directly suitable for application. Usually such novel idea is subjected to further experimentation, testing and prototyping before it can be implemented. The image below shows how to read TRL’s to categorise the innovative ideas.
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Why?
IntraVascular Photoacoustic Imaging uses ultrasound to image lipids on artery walls. In contrast to current piezoelectric ultrasound sensors, integrated-photonics ring resonator ultrasound sensors are mass producible and MRI-compatible, while being cheaper and more sensitive.
How?
A ring resonator is located on a silicon membrane that is excited by the ultrasound. This deforms the ring and thereby modulates the resonance wavelength of the ring resonator, which can be detected and translated into an ultrasound intensity.
When?
We develop the individual sensors, an array of sensors, and read-out of the array with an interrogator that is compatible with the final photoacoustic imaging. We are interested in getting into contact with end users of the resulting catheter.
Dr. Jaap Caro