Optical absorption spectra and corresponding photoacoustic visualization of exposed peripheral nerves.

Significance: Multispectral photoacoustic imaging has the potential to identify lipid-rich, myelinated nerve tissue in an interventional or surgical setting (e.g., to guide intraoperative decisions when exposing a nerve during reconstructive surgery by limiting operations to nerves needing repair, with no impact to healthy or regenerating nerves). Lipids have two optical absorption peaks within the NIR-II and NIR-III windows (i.e., 1000 to 1350 nm and 1550 to 1870 nm wavelength ranges, respectively) which can be exploited to obtain photoacoustic images. However, nerve visualization within the NIR-III window is more desirable due to higher lipid absorption peaks and a corresponding valley in the optical absorption of water.

Aim: We present the first known optical absorption characterizations, photoacoustic spectral demonstrations, and histological validations to support photoacoustic nerve imaging in the NIR-III window.

Approach: Four swine peripheral nerves were excised, and the optical absorption spectra of these fresh nerves were characterized at wavelengths spanning 800 to 1880 nm, to provide the first known nerve optical absorbance spectra and to enable photoacoustic amplitude spectra characterization with the most optimal wavelength range. Prior to excision, the latter two of the four nerves were surrounded by aqueous, lipid-free, agarose blocks (i.e., 3% w/v agarose) to enhance acoustic coupling during multispectral photoacoustic imaging using the optimal NIR-III wavelengths (i.e., 1630 to 1850 nm) identified in the studies.

Results: There was a verified characteristic lipid absorption peak at 1725 nm for each nerve. Results additionally suggest that the 1630 to 1850 nm wavelength range can successfully visualize and differentiate lipid-rich nerves from surrounding water-containing and lipid-deficient tissues and materials.

Conclusions: Photoacoustic imaging using the optimal wavelengths identified and demonstrated for nerves holds promise for detection of myelination in exposed and isolated nerve tissue during a nerve repair surgery, with possible future implications for other surgeries and other optics-based technologies.