Fast voice-coil scanning optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy

We developed a photoacoustic imaging system that has real-time imaging capability with optical resolution. The imaging system is capable of scanning at 20 Hz over a 9 mm range and up to 40 Hz over a 1 mm scanning range. A focused laser beam provides a lateral resolution of 3.4 mu m as measured in an optically nonscattering medium. Flows of micrometer-sized carbon particles or whole blood in a silicone tube and individual red blood cells (RBCs) in mouse ear capillaries were also imaged in real time, demonstrating the capability to image highly dynamic processes in vivo at a micrometer-scale resolution. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America