Non-Contact High-Resolution All-Optical Handheld Ultrasound Imaging System

We propose the development of designs for a handheld, non-contact Laser UltraSound (ncLUS) Imager that enable rapid triage by combat medics. The proposed development work relies on the photoacoustic generation of ultrasound waves and the deployment of a second laser and the Speckle-Tolerant Photo-EMF Sensor for detecting back-scattered ultrasound waves. We aim to design the ncLUS imager with characteristics meeting the Government’s specifications in terms of form factor, weight, computational power, ultrasound image refreshment rate, operational time duration, and the standoff distance of 1 meter. We propose to develop the ncLUS design by approaching four sub-systems of the ncLUS Imager: opto-mechanical, opto-electronic, data processing/ultrasound image formation, as well as electronics sub-system. These four sub-systems enable non-contact laser scanning and ultrasound generation, non-contact back-scattered ultrasound detection, data processing/computation for image formation, and the driving/synchronization/triggering circuitry, onboard computer, data storage, wireless communication, and battery management. The proposing team leverages Brimrose’s expertise in photonics device/system development, design, and manufacturing, as well as Professor Boctor’s (Johns Hopkins University) leading expertise in ultrasound imaging and ultrasound technology development. Detailed designs for the ncLUS Imager will be delivered to the Government at the end of program.