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Fluorescence Lifetime Macro Imager for Biomedical Applications
Published on: April 7, 2023
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Dynamic fluorescence lifetime sensing with CMOS single-photon avalanche diode arrays and deep learning processors
Dong Xiao1,2, Zhenya Zang1,2, Natakorn Sapermsap3
1Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland, UK.
Biomedical Optics Express
|July 5, 2021
Summary
This study introduces a dynamic fluorescence lifetime sensing system for fast-moving cells. The novel system uses a SPAD array and QCNN algorithm for rapid, accurate fluorescence lifetime measurements, enabling portable time-resolved devices.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical optics
- Photonics
- Biophysics
Background:
- Accurate fluorescence lifetime measurements are crucial for biomedical applications.
- Existing methods struggle with fast-moving biological samples.
- Need for high-throughput, portable fluorescence sensing technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a dynamic fluorescence lifetime sensing (DFLS) system for real-time analysis.
- To integrate advanced hardware and algorithms for enhanced performance.
- To demonstrate the system's efficacy in measuring fluorescence lifetimes of dynamic samples.
Main Methods:
- Utilized time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) principle.
- Integrated a CMOS 192x128 single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array for high photon throughput.
- Developed a quantized convolutional neural network (QCNN) algorithm and FPGA processor for fluorescence lifetime determination.
Main Results:
- Achieved high photon-counting throughput without pile-up effects.
- The QCNN-based processor demonstrated superior accuracy, speed, and low power consumption.
- Successfully resolved fluorescence lifetimes amidst noise using the DFLS system.
- Measured fluorescence lifetimes within a single SPAD sensor exposure period.
Conclusions:
- The DFLS system offers a robust solution for measuring fluorescence lifetimes of fast-moving biological targets.
- The developed system paves the way for portable time-resolved fluorescence devices.
- Demonstrated potential for diverse applications in biomedical sciences and beyond.
