Fine-resolution maps of acoustic properties at 250 MHz of unstained fixed murine retinal layers

Abstract

Ex vivo assessment of microscale tissue biomechanical properties of the mammalian retina could offer insights into diseases such as keratoconus, and macular degeneration. A 250-MHz scanning acoustic microscope (7-μm resolution) has been constructed to derive two-dimensional quantitative maps of attenuation (α), speed of sound (c), acoustic impedance (Z), bulk modulus (B), and mass density (ρ). The two-dimensional maps were compared to coregistered hematoxylin-and-eosin stained sections. This study is the first to quantitatively assess α, c, Z, B, and ρ of individual retinal layers of mammalian animals at high ultrasound frequencies. Significant differences in these parameters between the layers were demonstrated.