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Super-Resolution Imaging and Shared Management: A Protocol for Confocal Microscopy with Multiplex Detection
Published on: February 24, 2026
High-resolution resonant and nonresonant fiber-scanning confocal microscope
Benno H W Hendriks1, Walter C J Bierhoff, Jeroen J L Horikx
1Philips Research, Minimally Invasive Healthcare Department, Eindhoven 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands. benno.hendriks@philips.com
Journal of Biomedical Optics
|March 3, 2011
Summary
A new handheld confocal microscope probe enables real-time imaging of biological tissues. This compact device offers potential for in vivo cellular microstructure visualization during minimally-invasive procedures.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Optical Imaging
- Microscopy
Background:
- Confocal microscopy is crucial for high-resolution biological tissue imaging.
- Existing systems can be bulky, limiting their use in minimally-invasive procedures.
- Need for compact, versatile imaging tools for in vivo applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel, handheld confocal microscope probe.
- To evaluate its performance in acquiring high-resolution images of biological tissue.
- To assess its potential for real-time tissue differentiation in vivo.
Main Methods:
- A fiber-lens combination scanned by a miniature electromagnetic actuator.
- Operation in both resonant and nonresonant scanning modes.
- Characterization of field of view, resolution, and imaging capabilities.
Main Results:
- Achieved a circular field of view (190 μm diameter) at 127 Hz in resonant mode.
- Achieved a maximum field of view (69 μm width) in nonresonant mode.
- Measured transverse resolution of 0.60 μm and axial resolution of 7.4 μm.
Conclusions:
- The handheld confocal microscope probe enables real-time imaging of biological tissue.
- Demonstrated potential for in vivo cellular microstructure visualization.
- Suitable for a broad range of minimally-invasive procedures due to its compact size (3 mm outer diameter).
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