Microfabrication of Implantable Optics Integrated in a Microstructured Imaging Window for Advanced In Vivo Imaging.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Optical Microscopy

Background:

• Biomaterials and drug testing in animal models require advanced imaging techniques.
• Existing methods for in vivo imaging can be complex and lack precision.
• There is a need for integrated micro-devices for efficient quantification of biological responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a streamlined protocol for fabricating a novel implantable integrated imaging window.
• To enable in vivo quantification of immune response using non-linear excitation microscopy.
• To develop a reproducible and mechanically stable micro-device for biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of micro-lenses and micro-scaffolds using two-photon polymerization (2PP) of SZ2080.
• Implementation of a hybrid optics fabrication approach combining 2PP and UV bulk crosslinking.
• Utilizing advanced non-linear excitation microscopy for in vivo imaging.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of an integrated imaging window with microlenses and micro-scaffolds.
• Demonstrated high reproducibility and mechanical stability of the micro-device.
• Optimized optical properties and streamlined production process for microscale optical systems.

Conclusions:

• The developed protocol offers an efficient and precise method for fabricating implantable imaging windows.
• The micro-device is suitable for in vivo quantification of immune responses in animal models.
• This technique advances the prototyping of microscale optical systems for diverse biomedical applications.