Beard, Paul C; (1996) Pulsed Laser Generation and Optical Fibre Detection of Thermoelastic Waves in Arterial Tissue. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the investigation and practical implementation of pulsed photoacoustic spectroscopy as a means of characterising arterial tissues for the purpose of guiding laser angioplasty. This would enable the safety and efficacy of laser angioplasty to be improved by reducing the risk of accidentally perforating the vessel wall. The first three chapters of this thesis describe the work carried out to demonstrate that pulsed photoacoustic spectroscopy can be used to characterise arterial tissue. Chapter 1 describes the clinical aspects of the project. Chapter 2 discusses the background and theory of pulsed photoacoustic spectroscopy and experiments carried out using a liquid absorber of known and variable optical properties to characterise the technique. Chapter 3 presents the experiments carried out on post mortem arterial tissue that demonstrate atheroma can be identified and the structure of the tissue ascertained from the photoacoustic signature. The remaining chapters are devoted to the in vivo implementation of the technique. This is based upon the generation and detection of photoacoustic signatures at the tip of an optical fibre using an all-optical photoacoustic probe that can be inserted into a blood vessel. The probe consists of a single delivery optical fibre and a transparent Fabry Perot polymer film ultrasound sensor mounted at the distal end of the fibre. Chapter 4 discusses the basic principles of operation and requirements of the photoacoustic probe. Chapters 5 and 6 are concerned with the theory and development of the Fabry Perot polymer film ultrasound sensor. Chapter 7 discusses the evaluation of an experimental photoacoustic probe and the demonstration of a miniature device for intravascular use. Tables of material properties and the optical and acoustic reflection coefficients used throughout are to be found in Appendices 2 and 3 respectively.

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