How Does Photoacoustic Microscopy Work?

Photoacoustic Microscopy

Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) is a cutting-edge in vivo tissue imaging technique that combines optical and acoustic methods to break through the optical diffusion limit. It is capable of producing images with high spatial resolution at depths up to several millimeters and can simultaneously image multiple contrasts. One could, for instance, use these methods and different contrasts for anatomical, functional, flow dynamic, metabolic, and molecular image modalities.  

How Does Photoacoustic Microscopy Work?

Photoacoustic microscopy begins with light: typically, a nano-second pulsed laser beam. It is this laser pulse energy that triggers the acoustic effect.  Photons, absorbed by tissue, cause a local temperature rise. Weak acoustic scattering occurs as the tissues expand in a thermo-elastic way, and the resulting wide-band acoustic wave can be detected by ultrasound technology.  To read the entire article, visit Avantier.