Dual modality reflection mode optical coherence and photoacoustic microscopy using an akinetic sensor.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Imaging
• Microscopy

Background:

• Optical coherence microscopy (OCM) and photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) are powerful imaging techniques.
• Integrating OCM and PAM can provide complementary contrasts for enhanced visualization.
• Reflection-mode imaging is crucial for certain biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel dual modality reflection mode optical coherence and photoacoustic microscopy (OC-PAM) system.
• To demonstrate the system's capability for in vivo imaging of biological samples.
• To showcase the complementary contrasts offered by OCM and PAM.

Main Methods:

• Developed a dual modality system combining OCM and PAM in reflection mode.
• OCM modality utilized a broadband source for 5 μm axial resolution.
• PAM modality employed a Fabry-Perot etalon within a transparent medium for a 2x11 mm imaging window.

Main Results:

• The OC-PAM system was successfully characterized.
• In vivo imaging of zebrafish larvae was performed.
• The system revealed complementary optical scattering (OCM) and absorption (PAM) contrasts, visualizing larval morphology.

Conclusions:

• The novel reflection mode OC-PAM system enables dual modality imaging.
• The system provides complementary contrasts for comprehensive biomedical imaging.
• Demonstrated effective in vivo imaging of zebrafish larvae, highlighting its potential in biological research.