Multiplexing confocal technology

与传统的宽视场成像显微镜相比，共焦显微镜在图像对比度增强、3D切片能力以及与专用探测器的兼容性方面具有显着优势。尽管成本较高，操作复杂，图像采集速度慢，在过去的十年中，共聚焦荧光显微镜已成为一个重要的科学研究工具，以及在药物发现，临床病理学等应用，如活细胞成像，采集速度慢是一个关键的障碍，以适应共聚焦显微镜。虽然宽视场显微镜通常更快，但多路共焦方案（例如使用旋转焦点阵列）可以显着提高图像采集速率。然而，旋转盘中的移动焦点阵列阻止了专用分立光电检测器阵列的使用。我们已经开发出一套技术，可以同时生成，扫描和测量100-400个共焦焦点，同时与固定的离散探测器兼容。该技术的另一个关键特征是，它可以改装为传统的宽视场荧光显微镜。基本操作原理已在活细胞成像的工作台上进行了验证。 在这个NSERC创意创新项目中，我们计划建立一个完全集成的单盒原型仪器，与所有四个主要制造商（蔡司，尼康，奥林巴斯和徕卡）的传统宽视场荧光显微镜完全兼容。我们还将探索此类技术的后续商业化途径。在接下来的12个月里，我们计划i）将所有模块集成到一个盒子中，“制造原型”，ii）表征其在不同品牌的商业荧光显微镜上的活细胞成像性能，并将其与商业旋转圆盘共聚焦系统进行比较，以及iii）评估不同的离散光电探测器阵列技术并确定集成途径。 成功完成拟议的原型开发将大大加强所开发的技术及其下一阶段商业化计划的潜力。

Comparing to conventional wide-field imaging microscopes, confocal microscopy hold significant advantages in image contrast enhancement, 3D sectioning capabilities, and compatibility with specialized detectors. Despite of being more costly, complicated to operate, and slow image acquisition rate, over the past decade, confocal fluorescence microscope has emerged as an important scientific research tool as well as applications in drug discovery, clinical pathology, etc. For applications such as live cell imaging, slow acquisition speed is a key barrier to adaption of confocal microscopy. While wide-field microscopy is typically faster, multiplexed confocal schemes such as using a spinning foci array can significantly increase the image acquisition rate. The moving foci array in the spinning disc, however, prevents the use of specialized discrete photo detectors arrays. We have developed a suite of technologies to generate, scan, and measure 100-400 confocal foci simultaneously, while is compatible with stationary discrete detectors. Another key feature of the technique is that it can be retrofitted to a conventional wide-field fluorescence microscope. The basic operation principle has been validated on a benchtop set up on live cell imaging. In this NSERC Idea-to-Innovation project, we plan to build a fully integrated, single-box prototype instrument that is fully compatible with conventional wide-field fluorescence microscopes from all four major manufacturers (Zeiss, Nikon, Olympus, and Leica). We will also explore subsequent commercialization pathways for such technology. In the next 12 months we plan to i) integration all modules into a single box, "manufacturing prototype", ii) characterize its performance on living cell imaging on different brand of commercial fluorescence microscopes and comparing them to commercial spinning disc confocal systems, and iii) evaluate different discrete photodetector array technologies and identify pathways to integration. Successful completion of the proposed prototype development will significantly strengthen the developed technology and its potential for the next phase commercialization plans.