Video-rate functional photoacoustic microscopy at depths

J Biomed Opt. 2012 Oct;17(10):106007. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.17.10.106007.

Abstract

We report the development of functional photoacoustic microscopy capable of video-rate high-resolution in vivo imaging in deep tissue. A lightweight photoacoustic probe is made of a single-element broadband ultrasound transducer, a compact photoacoustic beam combiner, and a bright-field light delivery system. Focused broadband ultrasound detection provides a 44-μm lateral resolution and a 28-μm axial resolution based on the envelope (a 15-μm axial resolution based on the raw RF signal). Due to the efficient bright-field light delivery, the system can image as deep as 4.8 mm in vivo using low excitation pulse energy (28 μJ per pulse, 0.35 mJ/cm² on the skin surface). The photoacoustic probe is mounted on a fast-scanning voice-coil scanner to acquire 40 two-dimensional (2-D) B-scan images per second over a 9-mm range. High-resolution anatomical imaging is demonstrated in the mouse ear and brain. Via fast dual-wavelength switching, oxygen dynamics of mouse cardio-vasculature is imaged in realtime as well.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / blood supply
  • Computer Simulation
  • Ear / blood supply
  • Ear / diagnostic imaging
  • Echoencephalography
  • Hyperoxia / blood
  • Hypoxia / blood
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Microscopy, Acoustic / instrumentation
  • Microscopy, Acoustic / methods*
  • Microscopy, Video / methods*
  • Microvessels
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Photoacoustic Techniques / instrumentation*