Spectral Triangulation Molecular Contrast OCT

描述(由申请人提供)： 这一探索性/发展性研究(R21)应用提出了一种新的光学相干层析成像(OCT)方法，该方法能够成像特定造影剂在生物对象中的浓度和分布。这种方法被称为光谱三角分子对比光学相干层析成像(MCOCT)，它将代表着结合荧光对比显微镜和光学相干层析成像(OCT)的优势的混合成像模式的一个非常重要的进展-分子成像的特异性和更深的穿透。该方法通过在样品中寻找对比剂的吸收光谱特征来检测造影剂。这项技术的通用性和被动性意味着它可以用于非常广泛的吸附染料。我们已经证明，该方法能够成像吲哚青绿(ICG)的存在，这是FDA批准的一种染料，在生物靶标中。在本申请中概述的研究中，我们建议显著改进该技术的实施和灵敏度。随着拟议研究的完成，我们预计这项技术将得到足够的改进，以应对广泛的基础研究和临床成像挑战。我们建议的基于造影剂的技术的穿透深度得到改善，通过提供对非洲爪哇、蝌蚪和斑马鱼等小动物的整个厚度的光学成像通道，将极大地提高生物学家在活组织中追踪分子造影剂的能力。应用于基础研究的直接例子包括斑马鱼鳃和血液循环系统中流动动力学的发育生物学研究。ICG的临床应用前景广阔，如荧光血管造影剂三维成像和肝功能诊断等。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Exploratory/Developmental Research (R21) application proposes a new Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) method that is capable of imaging the concentration and distribution of a specific contrast agent within a biological subject. This method, termed Spectral Triangulation Molecular Contrast Optical Coherence Tomography (MCOCT), will represent a very important advancement in the development of a hybridized imaging modality that combines the advantages of fluorescence contrast microscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT) - molecular imaging specificity and deeper depth penetration. The method detects contrast agents by seeking their absorption spectrum signatures within the sample. The generality and passivity of the technique implies that it can be used with a very wide range of absorptive dyes. We have already demonstrated that the method is capable of imaging the presence of indocyanine green (ICG), an FDA approved dye, within a biological target. In the research outlined in this application, we propose to dramatically improve upon the technique's implementation and sensitivity. With the completion of the proposed research, we expect that the technology will be sufficiently refined to tackle a wide range of basic research and clinical imaging challenges. The improved penetration depth of our proposed contrast agent based technique will dramatically improve the biologist's capability to trace molecular contrast agents within living tissues by providing optical imaging access through the entire thickness of small animals such as xenopus laevis tadpoles and zebrafish. Immediate examples of applications for basic research include developmental biology study of flow dynamics in zebrafish gills and blood circulatory systems. While potential clinical applications can be found in extensions of current clinical procedures using ICG, such as eneratering 3 dimension mapping of contrast agent distribution in fluorescence angiography and hepatic function diagnosis.