ACOUSTIC MICROSCOPY OF HUMAN RETINA AND PIGMENT EPITHELIUM

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 16  (7) , 660-666
Abstract
An acoustic microscope uses sound waves rather than light to image a sample, and displays viscoelastic rather than optical properties. The Stanford instrument, operating at frequencies near 1000 MHz, achieves resolution and magnification that is comparable to a light microscope. Using this instrument, sections of normal human retina and pigment epithelium were examined and characteristic degrees of acoustic attenuation or phase shift were produced by structures such as cell nuclei, rod and cone outer segments, Bruch''s membrane, red blood cells and ocular pigment. Resolution was better with thin than thick sections, and fixation did not significantly alter the acoustic properties of the tissues studied. A comparison of iris tissue for albino and pigmented rabbits showed that melanin was a particularly strong acoustic attenuator. Acoustic microscopy may provide a new and direct means of probing the physical structure of tissues and cells.

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