Real-time optoacoustic brain microscopy with hybrid optical and acoustic resolution

Abstract

Conventional optoacoustic microscopy operates in two distinct modes of optical resolution, for visualization of superficial tissue layers, or acoustic resolution, intended for deep imaging in scattering tissues. Here we introduce a new microscope design with hybrid optical and acoustic resolution, which provides a smooth transition from optical resolution in superficial microscopic imaging to ultrasonic resolution when imaging at greater depths within intensely scattering tissue layers. Experimental validation of the new hybrid optoacoustic microscopy method was performed in phantoms and by means of transcranial mouse brain imaging in vivo.