Multi-color miniature dual-axis confocal microscope for point-of-care pathology

Opt Lett. 2012 Jun 15;37(12):2430-2. doi: 10.1364/OL.37.002430.

Abstract

We present a miniature microelectromechanical systems-based dual-axis confocal microscope capable of spatially coregistered fluorescence and reflectance imaging at multiple wavelengths. This device has a 10 mm diameter scan head with a 2 mm diameter tip for convenient use during surgery to guide tumor resection. The microscope has an adjustable focal depth of 20-200 micrometers and is capable of imaging with an axial resolution of 9 micrometers and in-plane resolution of 4 micrometers over a field of view of 450×450 micrometers. Simultaneous two-color imaging of individual optical sections is achieved by using a pair of grating-prism assemblies to compensate for chromatic dispersion in the 2 mm diameter gradient index relay lens at the distal tip of the device. Experimental measurements of the axial response of the microscope, as well as two-color images of a reflective bar target and fresh mouse brain tissues, demonstrate the performance of our device and its potential for multicolor in vivo optical sectioning microscopy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology
  • Color
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Confocal / instrumentation*
  • Microtechnology / instrumentation*
  • Pathology / instrumentation*
  • Point-of-Care Systems*