Burst-mode multispectral optoacoustic microscopy for large-scale dermatologic imaging

We present a fast, multispectral acoustic resolution optoacoustic microscope using a new burst-mode triggering scheme. Three pulsed laser sources are combined to retrieve spectral images across large field-of-views extending over 25mm by 25mm at 28μm lateral and 14μm axial resolution with an overfly scan of a few minutes. Highly sensitive PVDF transducer allows detection of structures 3.8mm below the human skin surface with per pulse energies of only 25μJ. The newly developed system overcomes limitations of previously reported scanning optoacoustic microscopy and mesoscopy implementations, offering a major leap forward in terms of clinical usability, laser safety, effective penetration depth and spectral unmixing capabilities.