Radiofrequency ablation is widely used in cardiology as an effective minimally invasive treatment for atrial fibrillation. However, radiofrequency noise, electronic interference, low resolution and poor tissue contrast complicate real-time lesion monitoring using conventional imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound imaging based on electronic transducers. Recently, a bench-top all-optical ultrasound imaging system, where ultrasound is both generated and detected using light, was presented (doi:10.1364/BOE.9.003481) that achieved high-resolution, video-rate 2D images. In this system, pulsed excitation light was focussed onto a nanocomposite membrane, where it was converted into ultrasound via the photoacoustic effect. Using scanning optics, the resulting optical ultrasound source was translated to synthesise a 1D source aperture comprising irregularly spaced ultrasound sources. Back-scattered ultrasound was detected using a single fibre-optic Fabry-Pérot cavity. Here, this system (which is inherently insensitive to electromagnetic interference) was used to achieve the first video-rate, depth-resolved 2D images acquired during RF ablation using an all-optical ultrasound imaging setup. We used this system to monitor the formation of radiofrequency ablation lesions (max 30 W, 65°C, 60 s) in ex vivo chicken breast samples, at a frame rate of 9 Hz, resolution of 100 µm, an imaging depth >15 mm, and a contrast of up to 30 dB. With its high miniaturisation potential, all-optical ultrasound imaging shows great promise for guiding interventional procedures, where real-time ablation lesion visualisation could improve lesion delivery and patient outcome.
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