During percutaneous medical interventions, accurate needle placement and advancing
to the target of interest is required to avoid complications and to improve clinical
outcomes. Therefore, we present a novel photoacoustic (PA) imaging-based approach
as a complement to conventional ultrasound (US) imaging for visualization and guidance
of interventional needles. To overcome the limitations associated with light penetration
with the conventional extracorporeal illumination, we propose an interstitial light
delivery to the target of interest by use of a custom-made annular illumination probe
(AIP). This probe accommodates an interventional needle (14 gauge) within its lumen,
allowing to advance both tools and acquire real-time PAUS images simultaneously. The
light is delivered utilizing 72 multimode optical fibers arranged around the circumference
of the hollow center of the AIP. Preliminary results show that PA images obtained
with the AIP provide with good complementary contrast to the US imaging for visualization
of the interventional needles and its guidance to an absorbing target within chicken
breast tissue.
