A compact scanning probe for photoacoustic microscopy using ultrasonic actuator stage

Recently, photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) has attracted attention as a novel modality for medical imaging, because PAM can visualize a-few-mm deep structures with a several-tens-micrometer spatial resolution in highly-scattering living tissues. For future use of PAM in clinics, downsizing of the scanning probe is essential. In this work, we constructed a PAM system with a miniature ultrasonic actuator that allowed us to significantly downsize the scanning probe (61 mm × 50 mm × 47 mm). We demonstrated lateral spatial resolution of ~4.4 μm and imaging speed of 16 s/B-mode image (80 A-scan lines) in the proposed PAM system, being comparable to those of the conventional PAM system using stepping motor stage.