title: Handheld photoacoustic microscopy to detect melanoma depth in vivo.
abstract: We developed handheld photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) to detect melanoma and determine tumor depth in nude mice in vivo. Compared to our previous PAM system for melanoma imaging, a new light delivery mechanism is introduced to improve light penetration. We show that melanomas with 4.1 and 3.7 mm thicknesses can be successfully detected in phantom and in in vivo experiments, respectively. With its deep melanoma imaging ability and handheld design, this system can be tested for clinical melanoma diagnosis, prognosis, and surgical planning for patients at the bedside.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Wenxin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Konstantin I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Maslov
authors.forename: Lynn A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cornelius
authors.forename: Lihong V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008904:Miniaturization; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D061088:Photoacoustic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*