Acoustic microscopy — Beyond high resolution imaging

There are three major objectives of acoustic microscopy in medicine and biology; 1) rapid examination of histopathology without staining or slicing, 2) search for the origin of echo in clinical ultrasound imaging and 3) novel approach to the pathophysiology from biomechanical point of view. The design of our newest acoustic microscopy is flexible to realize multimode ultrasound microscope with conventional C-mode, surface impedance mode, B-mode and reconstructed 3D mode. Measurements of microscopic acoustic properties in gastric cancer, renal cancer, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, tendon, cartilage and brain have provided useful information not limited in the field of medical ultrasound but also in the field of biomechanics especially in cardiology and orthopedic surgery. Passions of biomedical researchers to find the new horizons in pathophysiology are important for future progression of acoustic microscopy.