Low-cost photoacoustic system for biomedical applications

• Author(s): Ferreira, João Filipe SObreiro ; Pinto, Vânia Cristina Gonçalves ; Matos, Tiago ; Catarino, Susana Oliveira ; Minas, Graça ; Sousa, Paulo Jorge Teixeira
• Date: 2025
• Persistent ID: https://hdl.handle.net/1822/94477
• Origin: RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
• Document Type: Conference paper
• Language: English
• Contributor(s): Universidade do Minho

Description

Recently, the field of photoacoustic (PA) imaging has garnered significant attention due to its ability to provide high-resolution images and real-time monitoring of biological tissues. However, PA systems have relied on expensive and complex laser sources and detection mechanisms, limiting their accessibility for widespread use in both clinical and research settings. So, this work aims to address these limitations by presenting the development of an alternative low-cost photoacoustic system, with an estimated cost of less than 700€, based on a Q-switched solid-state Nd:Ce:YAG nanosecond laser and a highly sensitive system for acoustic detection. PA data acquisition and image reconstruction were implemented and validated with pencil lead phantoms. The developed system shows a high potential to provide a low-cost tool that can be used in several biomedical applications.