Combined ultrasound and near infrared diffusive light imaging

We have constructed a combined imager suitable for simultaneous ultrasound and near infrared (NIR) imaging. The imager consists of a combined hand-held probe and the associated electronics for data acquisition. A two-dimensional ultrasound array of 64 array elements is deployed at the center of the probe and a NIR array of 12 dual wavelength laser sources (780 nm and 830 nm) and 8 optical detectors is deployed at the periphery. This hybrid array compromises the ultrasound coherent imaging and NIR diffusive imaging characteristics and is capable of providing spatially co-registered ultrasound and NIR diffusive light images. In this paper we experimentally demonstrate the combined imaging and co-registration, and evaluate the reconstructed optical properties with the assistance of the co-registered ultrasound.