Triple-modality co-registered endoscope featuring wide-field reflectance imaging, and high-resolution multiphoton and...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Medical Imaging
• Endoscopy

Background:

• Current endoscopic techniques often lack the resolution and specificity for detailed subsurface tissue analysis.
• Multimodal imaging approaches can provide complementary information, improving diagnostic capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and test a novel multimodal endoscope integrating reflectance imaging, optical coherence microscopy, and multiphoton microscopy.
• To evaluate the feasibility and performance of a dual-path optical system for co-registered imaging.

Main Methods:

• Development of a dual-path optical system within an endoscope, incorporating a scanning piezo.
• Integration of reflectance imaging (561 nm laser), optical coherence microscopy (1300 nm), and multiphoton microscopy (1400 nm).
• Feasibility testing using test targets to characterize imaging performance.

Main Results:

• Reflectance imaging achieved 24.8 μm lateral resolution at 5 mm with a 5-30 mm working distance.
• Optical coherence microscopy demonstrated 4.0 μm lateral and 14.2 μm axial resolution.
• Multiphoton microscopy achieved 4.0 μm lateral resolution, suitable for various fluorophores and harmonic generation.

Conclusions:

• The designed multimodal endoscope successfully integrates three distinct imaging modalities.
• The system demonstrates feasibility for co-registered, high-resolution tissue imaging, potentially enhancing diagnostic capabilities in various medical fields.