Opportunity
Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) is a hybrid imaging technique that combines optical excitation and acoustic detection to provide high-resolution structural and functional images of biological tissues. However, existing PAM systems face significant limitations, including restricted fields of view (often limited to a few millimeters), bulky and non-portable scanning setups, and slow imaging speeds, which hinder their practical application in clinical and intraoperative settings. Traditional systems rely on cumbersome mechanical scanners or fixed imaging probes, making them unsuitable for real-time, large-area imaging or handheld operation. These limitations reduce their utility in dynamic environments such as surgical procedures or bedside diagnostics, where flexibility and speed are critical. The development of a compact, handheld PAM device addresses these challenges by enabling high-speed, high-resolution imaging with an expanded field of view, suitable for real-time clinical use.
Technology
The patent introduces a handheld photoacoustic microscopy device that integrates an optical component, a beam scanner, and a transducer unit. The key innovation lies in the beam scanner, which comprises a reflector and two independently operable driving mechanisms (e.g., a galvanometer-based driver and a resonant driver). These mechanisms move the reflector to scan the laser beam across the target object in two orthogonal axes, enabling high-speed, high-resolution imaging. The reflector also directs photoacoustic signals generated by the object to the transducer unit for detection. The device leverages a hybrid scanning approach, combining resonant scanning for high-speed beam deflection and galvanometer-based scanning for precise control. This design ensures co-alignment of optical and acoustic foci, maximizing sensitivity and image quality. Additionally, the handheld form factor and real-time imaging capabilities make it suitable for intraoperative and in vivo applications, overcoming the rigidity and bulk of traditional systems.
Advantages
- Portability: Compact and handheld design enables flexible use in clinical and surgical settings.
- High-Speed Imaging: Dual-axis scanning with independent drivers allows for rapid imaging (e.g., 500 kHz pulse repetition rate).
- Large Field of View: Combines scanning and image stitching to expand the effective imaging area beyond traditional limits.
- High Resolution: Achieves micron-level lateral (6.2 µm) and axial (39 µm) resolution.
- Real-Time Operation: Supports both "camera mode" (fixed imaging) and "SLAM mode" (handheld scanning with image stitching).
- Multi-Wavelength Capability: Compatible with single or multiple laser wavelengths for functional imaging (e.g., oxygen saturation mapping).
Applications
- Intraoperative Imaging: Real-time visualization of tissue microvasculature and oxygenation during surgery.
- Preclinical Research: High-resolution imaging of animal models for studies in oncology, neurology, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Dermatology: Non-invasive assessment of skin lesions and vascular networks.
- Cardiology: Dynamic monitoring of cardiac function and blood flow.
- Neurology: Mapping brain microvasculature and detecting ischemic or hemorrhagic events.
