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Studying biological tissue with fluorescence lifetime imaging: microscopy, endoscopy, and complex decay profiles
Jan Siegel1, Daniel S Elson, Stephen E D Webb
1Photonics Group, Department of Physics, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BW, UK.
Applied Optics
|June 7, 2003
Summary
Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) maps biological tissue with functional contrast. This technique, using stretched exponential function analysis, shows promise for clinical applications, including portable devices.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Medical Imaging
- Tissue Autofluorescence Analysis
Background:
- Autofluorescence in biological tissues provides intrinsic contrast for imaging.
- Characterizing complex fluorescence decay profiles is crucial for accurate tissue analysis.
- Existing imaging techniques may lack the functional contrast needed for detailed tissue assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) to analyze the autofluorescence of various biological tissues in vitro.
- To evaluate the utility of the stretched exponential function (StrEF) for describing tissue fluorescence decay.
- To assess the potential of FLIM for clinical applications, including endoscopies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) on animal tissue sections, knee joints, and human teeth.
- Modeled fluorescence decay profiles using the stretched exponential function (StrEF).
- Employed inverse Laplace transformation to extract fluorescence lifetime distributions and their widths.
Main Results:
- FLIM successfully generated two-dimensional maps with functional contrast for diverse biological tissues.
- The stretched exponential function (StrEF) accurately described the complex fluorescence decay profiles observed.
- FLIM microscopy combined with StrEF analysis demonstrated readiness for clinical deployment, supported by a portable picosecond diode laser.
Conclusions:
- FLIM is a viable technique for obtaining functional contrast in biological tissue autofluorescence.
- The stretched exponential function provides a robust model for analyzing complex tissue fluorescence.
- FLIM, particularly with advancements in endoscope design, holds significant potential for clinical diagnostics.