Abstract

Optical-Resolution Photoacoustic Microscopy (OR-PAM) provides micron-scale resolution imaging of optical absorption in tissue to depths of roughly an optical transport mean-free path. Most such systems have been limited to tabletop devices, however there are clinical situations where an endoscopic view of the microvasculature would be desirable. We present an OR-PA micro-endoscope system based on an image-guide fiber, a high-repetition-rate fiber laser, and a fast-scanning mirror system. The system is capable of imaging 800 micron field of views in realtime. Mosaicking for stitching fields of view together to form a larger scan is demonstrated.

© 2012 Optical Society of America