WO2009022300A1

WO2009022300A1 - Device and imaging system for use with matching medium

Info

Publication number: WO2009022300A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/053245
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Koehler; Waltherus C. J. Bierhoff
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2007-08-15
Filing date: 2008-08-13
Publication date: 2009-02-19
Also published as: CN101784226A

Abstract

The invention relates to imaging systems in which during imaging of an object a matching medium is used to match the object to its surroundings. The invention proposes the use of a coupling device comprising a receptacle, the receptacle bounding a volume for accommodating the object. The coupling device further comprises a fastener for forcing the coupling device against a covering surface. The covering surface closes the volume bounded by the receptacle during imaging. When imaging, for instance, an interior of the female breast the covering surface is formed by the patient's chest. During imaging the coupling device comprises a volume comprising the matching medium. The invention enables imaging to be performed regardless of the orientation of the object and the matching medium.

Description

Device and imaging system for use with matching medium

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system for imaging an interior of an object comprising: an imaging device comprising: (a) a receiving volume for accommodating the object to be imaged;

(b) an energy source for generating energy to be coupled into the receiving volume;

(c) a detector unit for detecting energy emanating from the receiving volume as a result of coupling energy from the energy source into the receiving volume; a matching medium for matching the object to its surroundings with respect to the energy generated by the energy source during imaging;

The invention also relates to a coupling device for use in such a system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of a system for imaging an interior of an object of this kind is known from US patent application WO2004041089. The document describes a system for imaging an interior of a female breast. A patient is positioned on a bed like support structure in a prone position. The system comprises a receptacle bounding a receiving volume for accommodating the breast to be imaged and for holding a matching fluid. The receptacle substantially forms a cup and is positioned under the support structure. The breast to be imaged can be accommodated in the volume bounded by the receptacle through an opening in the support structure and the receptacle. By definition, the opening is defined by a brim. The receptacle is at least partially flexible enabling the receptacle to be compressed between two parallel compression surfaces, while comprising the breast and the matching medium. These compression surfaces are also comprised under of the support structure in the system. The system further comprises a light source for generating light to be coupled into the volume bounded by the receptacle. The light generated by the light source typically has a wavelength within the range of 400 to 1400 nm. Light generated by the light source passes through a first compression surface, which is substantially transparent to the light generated by the light source. Next, this light passes through the wall of the receptacle into the volume bounded by the receptacle. To enable light generated by the light source to pass through the wall of the receptacle, the wall of the receptacle is substantially transparent to the light generated by the light source. Inside the volume bounded by the receptacle, light generated by the light source passes through the breast and/or the matching fluid. Light emanating from the volume bounded by the receptacle as a result of coupling light generated by the light source into the volume then passes through a second compression surface, which is again substantially transparent to the light generated by the light source. This light is then detected using a photodetector unit. Based on detected light, an image of an interior of the breast is reconstructed. The matching fluid has optical properties, such as scattering and absorption coefficients, that substantially match the corresponding properties of the breast being imaged. In this way, boundary effects stemming from coupling light into and out of the breast are reduced. Moreover, the matching fluid prevents an optical short-circuit around the breast inside the receptacle from occurring. An optical short-circuit occurs if, without the use of a matching fluid, light emanating from the volume bounded by the receptacle is detected, with the light comprising a first component that has travelled through the breast and a second component that has travelled through the volume bounded by the receptacle but outside the breast. Whereas the first component has been strongly attenuated through passage through the breast, the second component has been attenuated far less as it has not travelled through the breast. If both components are detected simultaneously, the second component, which does not carry information relating to an interior of the breast, could dwarf the first component, which does carry information relating to the interior of the breast. By using a matching fluid, light travelling through the volume bounded by the receptacle but outside the breast is attenuated to a similar degree as light that travels through the breast. Hence, it is possible to reconstruct an image of the volume bounded by the receptacle comprising both the breast and the matching fluid. It is a drawback of the known system that it cannot be used with a fluidic matching medium while a patient is in an upright position as is the case when the patient is standing or sitting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to enable measurements using a fluidic matching medium while the patient is in an upright position. According to the invention this object is realised in that the system according to the opening paragraph further comprises: a coupling device for energy- wise coupling the object to be imaged to its surroundings comprising: (d) a receptacle bounding a volume for accommodating the object, the receptacle to be accommodated at least partially in the receiving volume, the receptacle being arranged to comprise a matching medium for energy- wise coupling the object to its surroundings at least during imaging and the receptacle comprising an opening, bounded by a brim, allowing the object to be accommodated in the volume bounded by the receptacle;

(e) a fastener, mechanically coupled to the receptacle, for forcing the brim against a covering surface for covering the opening comprised in the receptacle.

The invention is based on the recognition that with a coupling device comprising a receptacle and fastener according to the invention and with a patient's chest as a covering surface against which the device is forced, it is possible to create a volume that can move with the object to be imaged, such as a female breast. As the volume can move with the object and as the coupling device according to the invention is arranged to comprise a matching medium at least during imaging of an object, the imaging can be performed with the object in any position. With a covering surface other than a patient's chest, the invention is suitable for use in imaging objects other than a female breast. The covering surface generally acts as a lid closing the volume bounded by the receptacle.

An embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein the energy source is arranged for generating electromagnetic energy. This embodiment has the advantage that it allows use of the invention in optical imaging. At least during imaging, the coupling device is then to comprise a matching medium having optical characteristics, such as scattering and absorption coefficients, that match the corresponding characteristics of the object to be imaged. When imaging, for instance, biological tissue such as an interior of a female breast, examples of suitable matching mediums are a mixture of soy oil, egg- phospholipids, glycerol anhydride, sodium hydroxide and water, and a mixture of distilled water, titanium dioxide, a dye, and a polymer.

A further embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein the electromagnetic energy has a wavelength within the range of 400 to 1400 nm. this embodiment has the advantage that electromagnetic energy having a wavelength within a range of 400 to 1400 nm is especially suitable for imaging biological tissue, such as a female breast, using diffuse optical tomography technology.

A further embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein the energy source is arranged for generating ultrasound energy. This embodiment has the advantage that it allows use of the invention in ultrasound imaging. At lease during imaging, the coupling device is then to comprise a matching medium having ultrasound characteristics, such as speed of sound, that match the corresponding characteristics of the object to be imaged. An example of such a matching medium is the ultrasound fluid applied between a patient's skin and an ultrasound device when making, for instance, an ultrasound of a baby inside the mother's womb. A further embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein the system is a medical image acquisition system. This embodiment has the advantage that it allows use of the invention in a medical image acquisition system. Consequently, the invention can be used in imaging, for instance, a female breast or other biological tissues.

The object of the invention is also realised with the coupling device for energy- wise coupling the object to be imaged to its surroundings comprising: a receptacle bounding a volume for accommodating the object, the receptacle to be accommodated at least partially in the receiving volume, the receptacle to comprise a matching medium for energy- wise coupling the object to its surroundings at least during imaging and the receptacle comprising an opening, bounded by a brim, allowing the object to be accommodated in the volume bounded by the receptacle; a fastener, mechanically coupled to the receptacle, for forcing the brim against a covering surface for covering the opening comprised in the receptacle.

An embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the fastener comprises the brim comprised in the receptacle, the brim comprising an adhesive for forcing the brim against the covering surface. This embodiment has the advantage that it provides an easy means for forcing the brim against the covering surface. An example of a suitable adhesive is the adhesive used in plasters.

A further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the fastener comprises a strap for forcing the brim against the covering surface. This embodiment has the advantage that it provides an easy means for forcing the brim against the covering surface. Moreover, when worn by a patient, a device comprising a strap, which can be fastened around the patient's back, enables adjustment of the force with which the device is forced against the covering surface (i.e. the patient's chest). Hence, the strength of the seal between the device and the covering surface can be adjusted and a patient provided with more comfort.

A further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the strap is detachable from the device. This embodiment has the advantage that a single fastener can be used for different devices. A further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the receptacle is detachable from the rest of the device. This embodiment has the advantage that a receptacle that has been used can be replaced with a new receptacle without the need for replacing the entire device. Moreover, this embodiment allows a receptacle bounding a volume for accommodating the object to be imaged with the volume having a certain size to be replaced by a different receptacle bounding a volume having a different size. When imaging female breasts being able to exchange a receptacle bounding a volume of a certain size with a receptacle bounding a volume of a different size allows to provide an optimal fit for differently sized breasts. A further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the receptacle comprises an outer surface facing away from the volume bounded by the receptacle, the outer surface being flexible. This embodiment has the advantage that it allows the outer dimensions of the receptacle to conform to the dimensions of the receiving volume during imaging. When imaging a female breast using compression plates, a flexible outer surface allows the receptacle to fit in the space left between the compression plates during imaging while following the contours of the surfaces of the compression plates facing the receiving volume.

A further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the outer surface comprises latex. This embodiment has the advantage that latex is flexible and that it has optical characteristics, such as scattering and absorption coefficients, that are suitable for optical imaging using light having a wavelength within the range of 400 to 1400 nm.

A further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the receptacle comprises an outer surface facing away from the volume bounded by the receptacle, the outer surface being rigid. This embodiment has the advantage that it allows the receptacle to closely fit in a receiving volume having constant dimensions. If, for instance, the receiving volume itself is bound by a rigid receptacle, a rigid receptacle according to this embodiment can be easily accommodated in the receiving volume while closely following the contours of the receiving volume. A further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the receptacle comprises two surfaces between which the matching medium is to be accommodated at least during imaging. This embodiment has the advantage that the matching medium need not come into contact with the object to be imaged. For imaging, for instance, a female breast this means that the matching medium need not be suitable for use in direct contact with human skin.

A further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the receptacle comprises the matching medium, the matching medium being an optical matching medium. This embodiment has the advantage that it allows use of the invention in optical imaging.

A further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the receptacle comprises the matching medium, the matching medium being an ultrasound matching medium. This embodiment has the advantage that it allows use of the invention in ultrasound imaging.

A further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the device comprises a seal for providing a seal between the device and the covering surface when the device is forced against a covering surface. This embodiment has the advantage that it allows the quality of the seal between the coupling device and the covering surface during imaging to be improved. A flexible rubberlike seal, similar to the seal comprised in, for instance, swimming goggles, is an example of a seal suitable for improving the seal between the device and the covering surface during imaging.

A further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the device comprises a source for supplying the receptacle with the matching medium. This embodiment has the advantage that it enables to administer the matching medium to the receptacle while the device is already forced against the covering surface. In this way, a closed volume defined by the receptacle and the covering surface (and possibly the object to be imaged as well) is created after which this volume can be completely filled with matching medium, leaving as few gas or air pockets as possible in the closed volume. A further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the device comprises a drain for removing the matching medium from the receptacle. This embodiment has the advantage that it provides an easy means for removing the matching medium from the receptacle.

A further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein at least one of the source and the drain substantially runs along the opening comprised in the receptacle. This embodiment has the advantage that the source and/or the drain need not conform to possible boundaries bounding the receiving volume during imaging. According to this embodiment, the source and/or drain is comprised near or at the opening of the receptacle allowing the source and/or drain to be left outside the volume that is imaged. Hence, the source and/or drain can be rigid and can even be used to position the receptacle in the receiving volume.

A further embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the device comprises two receptacles. This embodiment has the advantage that it enables imaging off to object simultaneously. When imaging female breasts, a device according to this embodiment can be used to image both breasts simultaneously or to image both breasts sequentially while having to fit the device to the patient only once.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention comprising a fastener comprising an adhesive;

Fig. 2 schematically shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention comprising two receptacles;

Fig. 3 schematically shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention comprising a source comprised in the brim;

Fig. 4 schematically shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention comprising an alternative source configuration;

Fig. 5 schematically shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention comprising two surfaces between which a matching medium is accommodated; Fig. 6 schematically shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention compressed between two compression surfaces;

Fig. 7 schematically shows an embodiment of an imaging system comprising this device according to the invention;

Fig. 8 schematically shows an embodiment of a medical imaging system comprising the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a coupling device according to the invention comprising a fastener comprising an adhesive. The cup -like device 5 comprises a wall 10 that defines a volume, the 'inside' of the cup, bounded by the device 5. The volume defined by the wall 10 has an open side allowing an object to be imaged to be accommodated in the volume. The opening is defined by the brim 15 comprised in the device 5. According to the invention the brim 15 comprises an adhesive for fixating the device 5 to a covering surface. If the device 5 is used to image an interior of a female breast, the device 5 is placed over a patient's breast with the brim 15 facing the patient. Using the adhesive comprised in the brim 15, the device 5 is forced against to the patient's chest. The chest, together with the breast accommodated in the device 5, then forms a covering surface that closes the opening defined by the brim 15. In general, an object to be imaged such as a female breast, will not completely fill the volume defined by the wall 10. Once the device 5 has been forced against the covering surface, for instance a patient's chest, the unoccupied volume inside the device 5 is filled with a matching medium and particularly with a matching fluid. To this end, the device 5 comprises a source 20, for instance a tubular inlet, enabling a medium such as a fluid to be administered to the unoccupied volume. The device 5 further comprises an outlet 25 for letting gas, for instance air, escape from the unoccupied volume in order to let the matching medium in. The source 20 may also be used as a drain to let the matching medium escape from the device 5, for instance after an imaging session when the matching medium is no longer needed. In that case, the outlet 25, or a similar feature not shown in fig. 1, may be used to let gas, for instance air, back in. In this way, the matching medium will not stay in the device 5 because of a too low pressure to drain the matching medium. In another embodiment of a device according to the invention, the device 5 may comprise a drain separate from the source 20 (not shown in fig. 1). In yet another embodiment of a device according to the invention, the brim 15 may be bendable. A bendable brim 15 enables the shape of the brim 15 to be adjusted in order to better follow the shape of the covering surface against which the device 5 is to be forced.

Fig. 2 schematically shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention comprising two receptacles. The device 30 comprises two receptacles, receptacle 35 and receptacle 40 respectively. According to the invention, the device 30 comprises a strap 45 for forcing the device 30 against a covering surface. When imaging a female breast, a patient's chest together with the breast surface form a covering surface as was discussed in relation to fig. 1. The strap 45 enables the device 30 to be forced against the covering surface by closing the strap 45 around a patient's back. The strap 45 allows the force with which the device 30 is forced against the covering surface to be adjusted allowing for patient comfort. The receptacles 35 and 40 may at least partially be flexible to allow them to change their shape in accordance with a boundary bounding a volume for accommodating the receptacles 35 and 40. An example of such a boundary are compression surfaces, such as parallel compression plates, between which one or both of the receptacles 35 and 40 can be placed at the time in order to be compressed. Another example is a rigid cup in which one receptacle can be accommodated at a time. Once a matching medium has been administered to the receptacle, the flexible part of the receptacle will follow the shape of the inside of the cup. For the latter application a receptacle that is not only at least partially flexible but also stretchable is particularly suitable. An example of such a receptacle is a receptacle comprising latex, such as the latex used in condoms. A stretchable receptacle will prevent ripples from forming at the interface between the receptacle and the boundary, the shape of which the receptacle is to conform to.

Fig. 3 schematically shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention comprising a source comprised in the brim. The device 50 is similar to the device 30 shown in fig. 2 to which the reader is referred. Just as the device 30, the device 50 comprises two receptacles, receptacle 35 and receptacle 40 respectively. The device 50 further comprises a strap 45 for forcing the device 50 against a covering surface. The device 50 comprises a ring-shaped chamber 55 near the opening of receptacle 35 (the opening of receptacle 35, which is not directly visible in fig. 3, is indicated by the arrow 85). The ring- shaped chamber 55 forms a source enabling matching medium to enter the volume bounded by the receptacle 35. To this end, the ring-shaped chamber 55 comprises an outlet, such as a perforation, enabling matching medium to exit the chamber and enter the volume bounded by the receptacle 35. The ring-shaped chamber 55 runs along circumference of the opening 85. To supply the ring-shaped chamber 55 with matching medium, the device 50 comprises a hose 65. As was discussed in relation to fig. 1, the hose 65 may also be used to drain matching medium from the receptacle 35. Draining may be required once the matching medium is no longer needed or to remove matching medium that spills from the receptacle 35 during use of the device 50. Another hose, not shown in fig. 3, may be used to let gas, such as air, escape from the volume bounded by the receptacle 35 in order to let the matching medium in. The various hoses may be combined into a single, bundled hose comprising a plurality of channels. The device 50 further comprises a seal 75 for improving the seal between the device 50 and a fixation surface which device 50 is to be fixated. The seal 75 may be similar to the seal comprised in swimming goggles. Analogous to the above and with respect to the receptacle 40, the device 50 comprises a ring-shaped chamber 60 running along the circumference of the opening indicated by the arrow 90, a hose 70 for supplying the ring- shaped chamber 60 with matching medium, and a seal 80.

Fig. 4 schematically shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention comprising an alternative source configuration. The device 95 shown in fig. 4 is similar to the device 30 shown in fig. 2 to which the reader is referred. The device 95 comprises two receptacles, receptacle 100 and receptacle 105 respectively. Coupled to the receptacle 100 is hose 110. As is the case with respect to fig. 3, the hose 110 represents a hose for administering matching medium to the receptacle 100, draining matching medium from the receptacle 100, or letting gas, such as air, escape from the receptacle 100 in order to let matching medium in. The hose 110 may also be used for a combination of the aforementioned functions. In that case, a single, bundled hose comprising a plurality of channels is suitable.

Fig. 5 schematically shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention comprising two surfaces between which a matching medium is accommodated. The device 120 comprises a receptacle 125 and a brim 130. According to an embodiment of the invention of the brim comprises an adhesive for forcing the device 120 to a covering surface. In fig. 5 the receptacle 125 has been positioned over a female breast 135. Using the adhesive comprised in the brim 130, the device 120 is fixated against the patient's chest. The device 120 comprises two surfaces, surface 140 and surface 145 respectively, between which a matching medium 150 is accommodated. Both surface 140 and surface 145 face the volume in which the matching medium 150 is accommodated. The surface 140 is flexible to follow the shape of the breast 135. The volume in which the matching medium 150 is accommodated may be closed such that the matching medium 150 is permanently contained in the volume. Alternatively, means for administering matching medium to, draining matching medium from, and letting gas, such as air, escape from the device 120 such as those discussed in relation to figs 1, 3, and 4 may be used.

Fig. 6 schematically shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention compressed between two compression surfaces. Shown in fig. 6 is a view of the device 120 shown in fig. 5 in the direction indicated by the line VI-VI also shown in fig. 5 with the device 120 being compressed between two compression surfaces 155. The compression surfaces 155 push the matching medium 150 aside. Without the matching medium 155 those parts of the breast 135 that bulge outwardly under the pressure of the compression surfaces 155 are hard to image using energy passing from one compression surface through the breast and through the other compression surface. Imaging is hard as the bulging parts are not in direct contact with a compression surface. Consequently, the optical coupling of the breast 135 and the compression surface is not optimal resulting in optical losses. However, the matching medium 150 pushed aside over the pressure of the compression surfaces 155 couples the bulging parts of the breast 135 to the compression surfaces 155. Hence, energy from an energy source used to image the breast 135 can flow from one compression surface through the matching medium 150, into the bulging parts of the breast 135 and from there through the matching medium 150 again to the other compression surface. This flow of energy is indicated in fig. 6 by the arrow 160.

Fig. 7 schematically shows an embodiment of an imaging system comprising this device according to the invention. Shown in fig. 7 is a female patient 170 wearing a device 175 according to the invention over a breast. The device 175 is forced against the patient's chest using strap 180 and comprised in the imaging system 165. The imaging system 165 further comprises two compression surfaces, compression surface 180 and compression surface 185 respectively, for applying pressure to the patient's breast while the breast is accommodated in the device 175. Coupled to the compression surface 180 is energy source 190 for generating energy to be used in imaging the patient's breast. The energy generated by the energy source 190 may be, for instance, optical energy, or more generally electromagnetic energy, or ultrasound energy. One technique to image an object, for instance a female breast, is diffuse optical tomography. When using diffuse optical tomography, light having a wavelength within the range of 400 nm to 1400 nm is typically used for imaging an interior of an optically turbid medium, such as a female breast or other biological tissue. The energy source 190 is coupled to the compression surface 180 using energy guide 195. The energy generated by the energy source 190 can be coupled into the compression surface 180 and, hence, into the patient's breast at various positions as indicated by the double headed arrow two. The device 175 is arranged such that energy from the energy source 190 can pass through the receptacle comprised in the device 175 and from there into the object to be imaged. Similarly, energy can exit the receptacle prior to being detected. Energy emanating from the device 175 as a result of coupling energy generated by the energy source 190 into the device 175 passes through compression played 185, after which it is detected using detection unit 205. The detection unit 205 is coupled to the compression surface 185 using energy guides 210. Based on the detected energy an image of an interior of the breast is reconstructed using image reconstruction unit 215.

Fig. 8 schematically shows an embodiment of a medical imaging system comprising the device according to the invention. The medical imaging system 220 comprises the elements comprised in the imaging system discussed in relation to fig. 7 as indicated by the dashed boundary. The medical imaging system 220 further comprises a screen 225 for displaying reconstructed images and an operator interface 230, for instance a keyboard, enabling an operator to interact with the system 220.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the system claims enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of computer readable software or hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system (165, 220) for imaging an interior of an object (135) comprising: an imaging device comprising:

(a) a receiving volume for accommodating the object (135) to be imaged;

(b) an energy source (190) for generating energy to be coupled into the receiving volume; (c) a detector unit for detecting energy emanating from the receiving volume as a result of coupling energy from the energy source (190) into the receiving volume; a matching medium (150) for matching the object (135) to its surroundings with respect to the energy generated by the energy source (190) during imaging; a coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) for energy-wise coupling the object (135) to be imaged to its surroundings comprising:

(d) a receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) bounding a volume for accommodating the object (135), the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) to be accommodated at least partially in the receiving volume, the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) being arranged to comprise a matching medium (150) for energy- wise coupling the object (135) to its surroundings at least during imaging and the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) comprising an opening, bounded by a brim (15, 130), allowing the object (135) to be accommodated in the volume bounded by the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125);

(e) a fastener (45, 180), mechanically coupled to the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125), for forcing the brim (15, 130) against a covering surface for covering the opening comprised in the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125).

2. A system (165, 220) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy source (190) is arranged for generating electromagnetic energy.

3. A system (165, 220) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the electromagnetic energy has a wavelength within the range of 400 to 1400 nm.

4. A system (165, 220) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy source (190) is arranged for generating ultrasound energy.

5. A system (165, 220) as claimed in claims 1 -4, wherein the system (165, 220) is a medical image acquisition system (165, 220).

6. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) for energy-wise coupling an object

(135) to be imaged to its surroundings comprising: a receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) bounding a volume for accommodating the object (135), the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) to be accommodated at least partially in a receiving volume, the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) to comprise a matching medium (150) for energy- wise coupling the object (135) to its surroundings at least during imaging and the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) comprising an opening, bounded by a brim (15, 130), allowing the object (135) to be accommodated in the volume bounded by the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125); a fastener (45, 180), mechanically coupled to the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125), for forcing the brim (15, 130) against a covering surface for covering the opening comprised in the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125).

7. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fastener (45, 180) comprises the brim (15, 130) comprised in the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125), the brim (15, 130) comprising an adhesive for forcing the brim (15, 130) against the covering surface.

8. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fastener (45, 180) comprises a strap (180) for forcing the brim (15, 130) against the covering surface.

9. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the strap (180) is detachable from the device.

10. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) as claimed in claims 6-9, wherein the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) is detachable from the device.

11. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) as claimed in claims 3-10, wherein the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) comprises an outer surface facing away from the volume bounded by the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125), the outer surface being flexible.

12. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the outer surface comprises latex.

13. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) as claimed in claims 6-10, wherein the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) comprises an outer surface facing away from the one volume bounded by the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125), the outer surface being rigid.

14. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) as claimed in claims 6-13, wherein the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) comprises two surfaces (140, 145) between which the matching medium (150) is to be accommodated at least during imaging.

15. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) comprises the matching medium (150), the matching medium (150) being an optical matching medium (150).

16. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) comprises the matching medium (150), the matching medium (150) being an ultrasound matching medium (150).

17. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) as claimed in claims 6-16, wherein the device comprises a seal (75, 80) for providing a seal (75, 80) between the device and the covering surface when the device is forced against the covering surface.

18. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) as claimed in claims 6-17, wherein the device comprises a source (55, 60, 110, 115) for supplying the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125) with the matching medium (150).

19. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) as claimed in claims 6-18, wherein the device comprises a drain (55, 60, 110, 115) for removing the matching medium (150) from the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125).

20. A coupling device (5, 30, 50, 95, 120, 175) as claimed in claims 18-19, wherein at least one of the source (55, 60, 110, 115) and the drain (55, 60, 110, 115) substantially runs along the opening comprised in the receptacle (5, 35, 40, 100, 105, 125).

21. A coupling device (30, 50) as claimed in claims 6-19, wherein the device comprises two receptacles (35, 40).