Telecentric design for digital-scanning-based HiLo optical sectioning endomicroscopy with an electrically tunable...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Medical Imaging
• Endoscopy

Background:

• Confocal endomicroscopy enables detailed optical sectioning but suffers from slow point-by-point scanning.
• Long image acquisition times limit the clinical utility of current endomicroscopic techniques for volumetric imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an endomicroscope capable of rapid, non-mechanical axial scanning for volumetric fluorescence imaging.
• To overcome the limitations of slow image acquisition in conventional confocal endomicroscopy.

Main Methods:

• A telecentric endomicroscope configuration was employed.
• Wide-field optical sectioning was achieved using HiLo imaging with a digital micromirror device.
• Non-mechanical axial scanning was performed via digital focus adjustment with an electrically tunable lens.

Main Results:

• The system demonstrated rapid, non-mechanical axial scanning for volumetric fluorescence imaging.
• Constant magnification and contrast were maintained during digital focus adjustment.
• Successful imaging of fluorescently labeled beads and ex vivo mouse cardiac tissue was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The developed endomicroscope offers improved scanning range and significantly reduced image acquisition time.
• The system shows great potential for rapid three-dimensional biopsies of volumetric biological samples.
• This advancement could enhance diagnostic capabilities in various medical fields.