High-throughput ultraviolet photoacoustic microscopy with multifocal excitation

Ultraviolet photoacoustic microscopy (UV-PAM) is a promising intraoperative tool for surgical margin assessment (SMA), one that can provide label-free histology-like images with high resolution. In this study, using a microlens array and a one-dimensional (1-D) array ultrasonic transducer, we developed a high-throughput multifocal UV-PAM (MF-UV-PAM). Our new system achieved a 1.6 +/- 0.2 mu m lateral resolution and produced images 40 times faster than the previously developed point-by-point scanning UV-PAM. MF-UV-PAM provided a readily comprehensible photoacoustic image of a mouse brain slice with specific absorption contrast in similar to 16 min, highlighting cell nuclei. Individual cell nuclei could be clearly resolved, showing its practical potential for intraoperative SMA. (C) 2018 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)