Uniform-intensity, visible light source for in situ imaging

A flexible, low-cost, high-brightness light source for biological and biomedical imaging is presented. The illuminating device consists of a custom-size square plastic pouch 10 to 20 mm on a side and 1 to 3 mm thick that can be inserted fully or partially into both in situ or in vitro specimens to be imaged. The pouch contains a silicone-based gel medium embedded with silica particles that scatters light and provides a reasonably uniform, planar light source. Light is delivered to the pouch using a multimode optical fiber and a high-intensity tungsten lamp. Pouch size and geometry can be readily altered as needed for a particular application. Benefits of the device include reasonably uniform light intensity, low temperature rise (<2 degrees C), a nearly white light spectrum, and a thin (<2 mm thick) flexible form factor. The design, fabrication, and preliminary results from the device are presented using hamster cheek pouch tissue, with comparisons to standard intravital microscopy, along with suggestions for further improvement and potential uses.