Handheld optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy

J Biomed Opt. 2017 Apr 1;22(4):41002. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.22.4.041002.

Abstract

Optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) offers label-free <italic<in vivo</italic< imaging with high spatial resolution by acoustically detecting optical absorption contrasts via the photoacoustic effect. We developed a compact handheld OR-PAM probe for fast photoacoustic imaging. Different from benchtop microscopes, the handheld probe provides flexibility in imaging various anatomical sites. Resembling a cup in size, the probe uses a two-axis water-immersible microelectromechanical system mirror to scan both the illuminating optical beam and resultant acoustic beam. The system performance was tested in vivo by imaging the capillary bed in a mouse ear and both the capillary bed and a mole on a human volunteer.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Capillaries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ear / blood supply
  • Ear / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems*
  • Microscopy, Acoustic*
  • Nevus / blood supply
  • Nevus / diagnostic imaging
  • Photoacoustic Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Spectrum Analysis