High resolution ultrasound & photoacoustics

High frequency acoustic microscopy is used to assess local mechanical properties of small samples with optical resolution. The technique does not induce damage and can be used to image the interior of opaque samples. In combination with optical excitation in photoacoustic imaging mode functional tissue parameters can be imaged. High speed and low costs of this technique add to the uniqueness of the method.

SAM - Scanning Acoustic Microscopy

The SASAM® Technology works by generating a short ultrasound pulse which is focused onto the sample via an acoustic lens. The ultrasound signal is reflected from the sample and received by the same lens. From the strength of the reflected signal and from the time the echo signal needs to travel, 2D images and 3D data volumes are generated using digital signal processing.

This nondestructive investigation technique is used for reserach purposes and quality control in technical applications in various industries such as:

-semiconductor industries (encapsulation and housing)
-mechanical and electrical interconnecton (delamination, bonding, wiring)
-composite materials (voids, defects)
-surface modifications and paint development (thickness, surface roughness)

While conventional acoustic microscopy is used for investigation of hard materials, kibero's systems were especially designed for quantitative analysis of mechanical properties and morphology oft cells and tissues in life sciences applications.

Quantitative analysis of mechanical properties and morphology, geometry, volume and size as well as surface and interface properties of biological specimen down to the individual cell level make acoustic microscopy a widely used, powerful tool for biological and biomedical research and development.

PAM - Photoacoustic Microscopy

Photoacoustic imaging combines the best of optics and acoustics. While it is not sensitive to light scattering it allows to image optical contrast with high sensitivity and large imaging depth. Images are generated by introducing a short light pulse into the sample. The light gets absorbed according to the optical properties of the sample and sound is generated at the absorption sites. The sound travsl to the acoustic sensor and the detected acoustic signal is treated similarly to acoustic imaging. 2D images and 3D data volumes of the received signals are generated with digital signal processing. Photoacoustic imaging allows you to retrieve functional tissue information from endogenous chromophores or as reported by targeted staining with optical stains. It gives valuable insight in topics such as cell-cell interaction, cell-matrix-interaction, cell-signalling and cell-microenvironment.

The combined information from acoustic and photoacoustic imaging gives added value information from your precious biological samples for
applications such as:

- cell mechanics, cell physiology, cell research
- stem cells, characterization of differentiation
- cell microenvironment, stem cell niches
- bone, bone implants
- biopsies and grafts