Functional endoscopic fournier domain optical coherence tomography and nano-optical systems for integrated biomedical microscopy

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Biomedical imaging using light is an exciting area of research for high resolution structural and functional visualization of cells and tissues in vivo. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides non-destructive micrometer scale resolution cross sectional images of tissue which are directly comparable to histology. Recently, a significant increase in attainable OCT system sensitivity has been identified by the use of spectrally resolved Fourier domain (FD) detection. In addition to novel system level benefits for functional imaging, FD OCT facilitates high speed scanning while maintaining high image quality.     The objective of this research proposal is to further extend the uses of OCT outside its traditional niche application in ophthalmology using novel systems and techniques enabled by Fourier domain detection. FD OCT has strong potential as an optical imaging modality both for biomedical imaging of small model animals and developmental biology. To achieve wide acceptance as the preferred imaging modality, functional extensions are required for OCT to enable tissue identification and visualization of biological processes. Investigation of molecular contrast imaging is proposed using spectroscopic techniques and fluorescence self-interference in combination with Fourier domain detection. Research into minimum diameter fiber-based endoscopic probes for light delivery in specialized clinical applications will also be investigated.     Another functional extension enabled by FD OCT is nanometer-scale axial resolution, referred to in the literature as Spectral Domain Phase Microscopy (SDPM). The second branch of this research proposal investigates integration of SDPM with nano-optical microscopy, providing an avenue to improve image resolution in all three dimensions. The nano-aperture imaging system measures differences in light transmission through a sub-wavelength diameter hole caused by interaction with a sample. Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) will be investigated for the manipulation and positioning of cells to develop a highly integrated microscope-on-a-chip imaging system.