Optical resolution photoacoustic computed microscopy

Opt Lett. 2021 Jan 15;46(2):372-375. doi: 10.1364/OL.411861.

Abstract

Optical resolution photoacoustic microscopy (ORPAM) has demonstrated both high resolution and rich contrast imaging of optical chromophores in biologic tissues. To date, sensitivity remains a major challenge for ORPAM, which limits the capability of resolving biologic microvascular networks. In this study, we propose and evaluate a new ORPAM modality termed as optical resolution photoacoustic computed microscopy (ORPACM), through the combination of a two-dimensional laser-scanning system with a medical ultrasonographic platform. Apart from conventional ORPAMs, we record multiple photoacoustic (PA) signals using a 128-element ultrasonic transducer array for each pulse excitation. Then, we apply a reconstruction algorithm to recover one depth-resolved PA signal referred to as an A-line, which reveals more detailed information compared with conventional single-element transducer-based ORPAMs. In addition, we carried out both in vitro and in vivo experiments as well as quantitative analyses to show the advanced features of ORPACM.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • Brain / blood supply*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Microscopy, Acoustic / instrumentation*
  • Microscopy, Acoustic / methods
  • Microvessels / diagnostic imaging*
  • Photoacoustic Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Photoacoustic Techniques / methods
  • Spectrum Analysis*
  • Transducers