Dual mode 3D optoacoustic imaging and ultrasound localization microscopy of the mouse brain with spherical matrix array

Understanding brain function mechanisms relies on tools capable of simultaneous structural and functional imaging at the whole brain scale, with high spatio-temporal resolution, often not attainable in a single imaging modality. Here, we employ spherical matrix array geometry to combine optoacoustic tomography (OAT) and ultrasound localisation microscopy (ULM), and obtain dual-mode volumetric images of the whole mouse brain. Together, OAT allows functional readouts of hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism, while ULM provides structural images of the brain vasculature with a resolution of 20 μm, and flow velocity information up to 10 mm/sec, for a comprehensive characterization of microvascular architecture and function.