Lissajous-trajectory scanning optical coherence photoacoustic microscopy for zebrafish larva imaging

As an important vertebrate animal model for development and human disease, research on zebrafish has been using many different imaging methods. Among them, optical coherence microscopy and photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) are gradually gaining popularity due to their complementary contrast mechanisms and non-invasive nature. This work demonstrates a combined optical coherence PAM system using Lissajous scanning trajectories for zebrafish imaging. The system configuration enables a large field of view (up to 11.8 mm × 25.2 mm) with uniform high resolution (1.8 μm lateral) and uniform sensitivity across the entire scanning area. The voice-coil-enabled Lissajous trajectories yield high scanning speed, while maintaining precise coregistration between modalities. A specially designed deep learning-based upsampling model has been trained to leverage unique characteristics of the Lissajous scanning pattern, reducing acquisition time by up to 70% while preserving image quality. The system’s capabilities are demonstrated through high-resolution imaging of zebrafish larvae, revealing detailed vascular networks and tissue structures. This novel approach provides a powerful tool for non-invasive, multimodal imaging of zebrafish development and disease models beyond typical size boundaries.