Title: High-resolution fiber bundle microendoscopy for cancer detection

Agency: National Institutes of Health

PI: Rebecca Richards-Kortum

Abstract: To address the need for a simple device for high-throughput cancer screening, we have developed robust and low-cost imaging system that can achieve subcellular resolution of in vivo and ex vivo tissues. A fiber bundle image guide is used to transfer a pixellated image of tissue that is in direct contact with the distal face to the focal plane of an air immersion objective lens. The individual fiber elements of the image guide are small enough such that subcellular resolution is achieved; with the use of a graded refractive index lens placed at the tissue end of the bundle, resolution can be further improved. Epi-illumination to the sample is accomplished through the use of a high power blue LED. By labeling tissues with nuclear-selective fluorescent dyes, we have been able to observe important structural features of intact tissues, including nuclear to cytoplasmic ratios and overall tissue architecture. Additionally, fluorescent antibody conjugates have been specifically targeted to extracellular receptors that are upregulated in certain cancer types and visualized in real time with this minimally invasive technique.

Figure 2

Figure 3

Video 1

Video 2

Video clip0047

Video clip 1

Video clip 2

Back