Tumor resectioning is a primary method for cancer treatment but is limited by the inability of surgeons to differentiate tissue, which results in the unnecessary removal of healthy tissue. One method that is uniquely suited to circumvent this issue is photoacoustic imaging. However, this technique lacks real time imaging capabilities which are critical for surgical applications. This work explores the development of a real-time optical imaging tool that utilizes optical detection of an acoustic signal. Determining healthy vs unhealthy tissue will enable improved clinical patient outcomes.

Breast cancer can be imaged at greater depths using photoacoustic imaging to differentiate between cancerous and non-cancerous tissue. Current photoacoustic modalities struggle to display images in real-time because of the required image reconstruction. In this work, we aim to create a real-time photoacoustic imaging system where the photoacoustic effect is detected through changes in index of refraction. To reach this aim, two methods are applied to visualize the acoustic waves including Schlieren optics and differential interference contrast microscopy. This combined approach provides a new tool for the widespread application in clinical settings.