Self-constructed scanning acoustic microscope system for biological tissue characterization

Abstract

Scanning acoustic microscope has been developed to investigate acoustic properties of various organs and disease states. As conventional way, in order to assess pathology of a tumor, it is taken out of body through biopsy. Then it would spend on a serial of chemical staining processes before being observed. However, it is difficult to get done during an operation. Normally, it takes several hours to several days to complete the processes. Furthermore, the tissue after being stained, usually loses it biological functions. In previous studies, it has been proved that speed of sound is able to be considered to be a good parameter in order to characterize abnormality of the tissue. The systems which have been used in the studies made by renowned technological companies. They are usually compact and expensive and could be unmodifiable by users. As the result of understanding biological and technical aspects, a lab-based system for such researches are in need. In the scope of the thesis, we focus on technical solutions and in vivo experiments to evaluate the practical aspects of the system.