Abstract: An adapter for a container that provides an integrated photoacoustic microscopy system that is capable of real time imaging of samples within the container. The adapter allows a researcher or investigator to evaluate a sample using the photoacoustic effect, with or without a microscope. The adapter comprises a support portion, a planar portion, and a tube. The support portion includes a channel formed therein, the channel including a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and an intermediate surface positioned between the first surface and the second surface, the channel configured to receive the rim of the container such that the intermediate surface of the channel is positioned adjacent a top surface of the rim and the first surface and the second surface extend along opposite sides of the sidewall. The planar portion is coupled to the support portion and extends across the opening of the container.

Abstract: A photoacoustic and optical microscopy combiner. The combiner is configured to support a transducer defining an axis. The combiner includes a body including a base and an opening extending through the base, and a glass member at least partially positioned within the opening. The glass member includes a surface positioned at an angle relative to the base and the axis of the transducer. A sample slide is supported on the body and at least partially over the opening. The sample slide is positioned such that a sample on the sample slide is configured to receive light from a laser and redirect the light to an ultrasound transducer to generate a real-time image of a sample.

Abstract: Photoacoustic targeting systems for intracellular recording. In one embodiment, the photoacoustic targeting system includes a light source, a micropipette electrode, an acoustic transducer, and a controller. The light source is configured to emit pulsed light. The micropipette electrode is configured to deliver the pulsed light to a target cell. The acoustic transducer is configured to receive photoacoustic signals generated due to optical absorption of light energy by the target cell. The controller is configured to determine a position of the micropipette electrode relative to the target cell based on the photoacoustic signals.

Abstract: A device comprises a miniature transducer having an altered backing geometry that can be placed within different casing sizes of an imaging probe device. The backing geometry extends along a longitudinal axis of the imaging probe and provides an angle (e.g., 45-degree angle) configured to reflect ultrasound and/or light waves/signals in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the imaging probe. This design is configured to enable ultrasound and/or light waves/signals to be redirected and dampened within the transducer to preserve a suitable signal to noise ratio while minimizing the required depth of the backing.

Abstract: A system for measuring a membrane potential is disclosed. The system comprises a photoacoustic probe including a laser and an ultrasound transducer. The laser is configured to emit a light signal at one or more wavelengths to a neuronal cell. The neuronal cell may comprise a voltage-sensitive protein configured to absorb the light signal in a voltage-dependent manner. The ultrasound transducer is configured to receive a photoacoustic signal from the voltage-sensitive protein in response to absorbing the light signal. The system further comprises a processor configured to receive the photoacoustic signal from the ultrasound transducer and calculate a membrane potential of the neuron based on the photoacoustic signal. Methods of measuring a membrane potential and biomaterials related to the voltage-sensitive protein are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system for calculating a Grüneisen parameter of a target tissue is disclosed. The system comprises a first light source configured to emit a first light signal to the target tissue, thereby generating an acoustic signal in the target tissue. The system further comprises a second light source configured to emit a second light signal to the target tissue, which interacts with the acoustic signal, (e.g., in the manner of Brillouin scattering) to generate a backscattered light signal. The system further comprise a light sensor configured to detect the backscattered light signal and a processor configured to receive the backscattered light signal from the light sensor and calculate the Grüneisen parameter of the target tissue based on the backscattered response signal.

Abstract: A system for automated navigation to a target neuron is disclosed. The system comprises a recording electrode including a pipette with a hollow glass tip and a headstage for detecting electrical resistance measurements at the glass tip. The system further comprises an actuator, a light source configured to emit light from the glass tip, an ultrasound transducer for detecting photoacoustic signals in response to the light, a light sensor for detecting optical signals in response to the light, and a processor. The processor iteratively receives the photoacoustic and optical feedback and moves the glass tip via the actuator based on a calculated distance of the target neuron. When the distance at or below a predetermined threshold, the processor maintains the position of the hollow glass tip with respect to the target neuron. Upon successful navigation, the recording electrode may be used to perform single-unit neural recording of the target neuron.

Abstract: A system for measuring the membrane potential of a neuron is disclosed. The system comprises one or more photoacoustic ion indicators, each comprising a metal chelating agent linked to a chromophore molecule. The metal chelating agent is configured to selectively bind to one of sodium ions, calcium ions, and potassium ions. The system further comprises a photoacoustic probe including a laser configured to emit a light signal to the chromophore and an ultrasound transducer configured to receive a photoacoustic signal in response to the light signal. The system further comprises a processor configured to receive the photoacoustic signal from the ultrasound transducer, determine a quantity of photoacoustic ion indicators exhibiting the shift, and calculate a membrane potential of the neuron based on quantity of photoacoustic ion indicators exhibiting the shift.

Abstract: A device comprises a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel between the first end and the second end; an imaging probe couplable to the first end of the cannula, where the imaging probe includes: a transducer, and a reflective surface; and a biopsy device coupled to the cannula, where the biopsy device is configured to collect a tissue sample from an organ of a patient.

Abstract: A device comprises a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel between the first end and the second end; an imaging probe couplable to the first end of the cannula, where the imaging probe includes: a transducer, and a reflective surface; and a biopsy device coupled to the cannula, where the biopsy device is configured to collect a tissue sample from an organ of a patient.

Abstract: An adapter for a container that provides an integrated photoacoustic microscopy system that is capable of real time imaging of samples within the container. The adapter allows a researcher or investigator to evaluate a sample using the photoacoustic effect, with or without a microscope. The adapter comprises a support portion, a planar portion, and a tube. The support portion includes a channel formed therein, the channel including a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and an intermediate surface positioned between the first surface and the second surface, the channel configured to receive the rim of the container such that the intermediate surface of the channel is positioned adjacent a top surface of the rim and the first surface and the second surface extend along opposite sides of the sidewall. The planar portion is coupled to the support portion and extends across the opening of the container.

Abstract: A photoacoustic and optical microscopy combiner. The combiner is configured to support a transducer defining an axis. The combiner includes a body including a base and an opening extending through the base, and a glass member at least partially positioned within the opening. The glass member includes a surface positioned at an angle relative to the base and the axis of the transducer. A sample slide is supported on the body and at least partially over the opening. The sample slide is positioned such that a sample on the sample slide is configured to receive light from a laser and redirect the light to an ultrasound transducer to generate a real-time image of a sample.

Abstract: Methods and systems for image-based guidance in deep-brain stimulation. An endoscope system includes a waveguide tube, a right-angle prism, a light source, and a photoacoustic transducer. Light from the light source propagates along the length of the waveguide tube via internal reflection within the wall. The right-angle prism is positioned to redirect light emitted at a distal end of the waveguide tube in a direction perpendicular to the length of the waveguide tube. Light emitted in the perpendicular direction causes soundwaves to be generated by the surrounding tissue via photoacoustic effect. Those soundwaves are then conducted through the interior channel of the waveguide tube from the distal end of the waveguide tube to a proximal end of the waveguide tube where the soundwaves are detected by the photoacoustic transducer, which is acoustically coupled to the interior channel of the waveguide tube at the proximal end of the waveguide tube.

Abstract: Photoacoustic targeting systems for intracellular recording. In one embodiment, the photoacoustic targeting system includes a light source, a micropipette electrode, an acoustic transducer, and a controller. The light source is configured to emit pulsed light. The micropipette electrode is configured to deliver the pulsed light to a target cell. The acoustic transducer is configured to receive photoacoustic signals generated due to optical absorption of light energy by the target cell. The controller is configured to determine a position of the micropipette electrode relative to the target cell based on the photoacoustic signals.

Abstract: A device comprises a miniature transducer having an altered backing geometry that can be placed within different casing sizes of an imaging probe device. The backing geometry extends along a longitudinal axis of the imaging probe and provides an angle (e.g., 45-degree angle) configured to reflect ultrasound and/or light waves/signals in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the imaging probe. This design is configured to enable ultrasound and/or light waves/signals to be redirected and dampened within the transducer to preserve a suitable signal to noise ratio while minimizing the required depth of the backing.

Abstract: An elevating wheelchair is disclosed. The wheelchair may have a gas cylinder disposed between the seat of the wheelchair and the frame of the wheelchair. By engaging the gas cylinder and pressing against an assistive push bar, the user may translate the seat along at least a portion of a seat travel path, elevating the seat of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A device comprises a cannula having a first end, a second end, and a channel between the first end and the second end; an imaging probe couplable to the first end of the cannula, where the imaging probe includes: a transducer, and a reflective surface; and a biopsy device coupled to the cannula, where the biopsy device is configured to collect a tissue sample from an organ of a patient.

Abstract: An elevating wheelchair is disclosed. The wheelchair may have a gas cylinder disposed between the seat of the wheelchair and the frame of the wheelchair. By engaging the gas cylinder and pressing against an assistive push bar, the user may translate the seat along at least a portion of a seat travel path, elevating the seat of the wheelchair.