Targeted dual-axes confocal imaging apparatus with vertical scanning capabilities

US9921406B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US

Inventors

• Thomas D. Wang · Lexington, US
• Katsuo Kurabayashi · Ann Arbor, US
• Kenn Oldham · Ann Arbor, US
• Zhen Qiu · Beijing, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 29, 2010
• Grant date: Mar 20, 2018
• Expiry date: Jan 12, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2503/40
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An optical device is described that may be used as a microscope system for real-time, three-dimensional optical imaging. The device includes a miniature, fiber optic, intra-vital probe microscope that uses a dual-axes confocal architecture to allow for vertical scanning perpendicular to a surface of the sample (e.g., a tissue surface). The optical device can use off-axis illumination and collection of light to achieve sub-cellular resolution with deep tissue penetration. The optical device may be used as part of an integrated molecular imaging strategy using fluorescence-labeled peptides to detect cell surface targets that are up-regulated by the epithelium and/or endothelium of colon and breast tumors in small animal models of cancer.