Imaging behind opaque obstacle: a potential method for guided in vitro needle placement.

We report a simple real time optical imaging concept using an axicon lens to image the object kept behind opaque obstacles in free space. The proposed concept underlines the importance and advantages of using an axicon lens compared to a conventional lens to image behind the obstacle. The potential of this imaging concept is demonstrated by imaging the insertion of surgical needle in biological specimen in real time, without blocking the field of view. It is envisaged that this proposed concepts and methodology can make a telling impact in a wide variety of areas especially for diagnostics, therapeutics and microscopy applications.