Real-time multimodal high resolution biomedical imaging instrument using supercontinuum optical sources

We present progress towards developing a multimodality imaging instrument, optical coherence tomography (OCT)/ photo-acoustic microscopy (PAM). By utilizing supercontinuum optical sources, that deliver wide spectral bandwidths and high energy densities, we devised a real-time imaging instrument which can be employed to image biological tissues. The OCT channel was devised to operate around 1300 nm. A custom built spectrometer ensures a constant axial resolution of 6 µm over an axial range of up to 1.5 mm. The PAM operates within the therapeutic window providing an axial resolution of 30 µm. The lateral resolution in both channels is 6 µm