Riverside Research, the University of Bristol (Bristol, United Kingdom), and the University Paul Sabatier (Toulouse, France) propose to develop the next generation of quantitative acoustic microscopy (QAM) systems. Specifically, data- science and coded-excitation approaches will be applied for the first time to QAM technology to yield better image quality, decreased scanning time, greater ease of use, as well as to pave the way for a new generation of novel, low-cost, user-friendly QAM instruments. QAM permits formation of fine-resolution (i.e., <7 µm at 250 MHz) maps of acoustic and mechanical properties of tissue sections that are <12 µm in thickness. These data can have great value in numerous preclinical investigations. Such property maps are not currently obtainable by any other microscopic-imaging modality, and the new generation of QAM technology made possible by success in this proposed project could become widespread in research laboratories and microscopy suites in commercial as well as academic research environments. Such new-generation QAM instruments could be used by technicians with limited knowledge of QAM and, in many ways, their use would be no more complicated than use of a conventional bright-field microscope. These novel approaches to QAM will be demonstrated using already available resolution targets, phantoms, and biological tissues (ocular-tissue samples from a guinea-pig model of myopia and cancerous human lymph nodes). During the course of this project, optimal methods will be incorporated in a prototype QAM (pQAM) instrument capable of producing ultra-fine spatial resolution (< 2 µm) images much faster (<1 min) and for a much lower cost (<$40k) than current state-of-the-art QAM systems. In addition, pQAM use will be ``turn-key'' (i.e., requiring no technical knowledge and less than 1 hour of training.)

This proposed technology-development study will significantly advance quantitative acoustic microscopy (QAM) systems and ultimately pave the way towards wide acceptance of the technology. QAM systems permit formation of maps of the acoustical and mechanical properties of tissues at microscopic resolutions. Data-science methods and technological advances will be applied to make new, easy-to-use, low-cost, fine-resolution, QAM systems possible. Optimal methods will be incorporated in a prototype QAM (pQAM) instrument capable of producing images with ultra-fine spatial resolution (< 2 µm), much faster (<1 min), and at a much lower cost (<$40k) than current state-of-the-art QAM systems. In addition, pQAM use will be ``turn-key'' (i.e., requiring no technical knowledge and less than 1 hour of training.)