Gradient index lens based combined two-photon microscopy and optical coherence tomography.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Imaging
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Colorectal cancer research requires advanced imaging techniques for in vivo studies.
• Current methods may lack the combined structural and cellular resolution needed for comprehensive analysis.
• Developing integrated imaging systems can enhance preclinical cancer modeling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a miniaturized probe-based dual-modal imaging system.
• To combine two-photon microscopy (TPM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for simultaneous 3D imaging.
• To enable visualization of both cellular and structural information in colorectal cancer models.

Main Methods:

• A miniaturized probe (2.2 mm diameter, 60 mm length) with GRIN lenses and a prism was integrated with TPM and OCT systems.
• TPM imaging utilized raster scanning at 15.4 frames/s.
• OCT imaging employed linear sample translation and probe rotation.

Main Results:

• The dual-modal system successfully visualized fluorescent microspheres in tissue phantoms.
• Ex vivo imaging of mouse colonic tissues demonstrated combined structural and cellular data acquisition.
• The system provided high-resolution 3D structural information (OCT) and cellular details (TPM).

Conclusions:

• The miniaturized probe-based TPM and OCT system offers a novel approach for preclinical cancer research.
• This dual-modal imaging capability is valuable for studying mouse models of colonic tumorigenesis.
• The system facilitates comprehensive in vivo analysis of tumor development and morphology.