Three-dimensional combined photoacoustic and optical coherence microscopy for in vivo microcirculation studies

Photoacoustic microscopy is predominantly sensitive to optical absorption, while optical coherence tomography relies on optical backscattering. Integrating their complementary contrasts can provide comprehensive information about biological tissue. We have developed a dual-modality microscope that combines the two for studying microcirculation. Three-dimensional imaging of microvasculature and its local environment has been demonstrated at micrometer-order resolution using endogenous contrast in vivo. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America