Dynamic Micro-OCT Frequency Mapping for Cellular Function Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscopy techniques struggle to capture intracellular dynamics and functional properties of cells in tissues, as they primarily focus on static cellular phenotypes and morphology, missing crucial information on molecular movements that reflect cell function.
Innovation Solution
Dynamic micro-optical coherence tomography (d-μOCT) is employed to analyze particle motion within tissues at subcellular resolution, providing enhanced contrast by recording signal fluctuations and extracting temporal frequency information to create frequency maps that highlight cellular functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reflectance imaging is used to obtain cross-sectional images of tissue, then structural information can be obtained, but image contrast is low due to small and inconsistent refractive index gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static reflectance imaging into dynamic imaging by capturing temporal fluctuations in the optical signal caused by intracellular motion. This dynamic approach converts the weakness of static refractive index gradients into a strength by measuring changes over time, thereby achieving high contrast without requiring consistent refractive index gradients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from static reflectance intensity to dynamic temporal frequency of signal fluctuations. By analyzing the frequency content of temporal variations in the optical signal, the system achieves high contrast imaging based on intracellular dynamics rather than static refractive index differences.
2Loss of information
If static microscopy techniques are used to identify cellular phenotypes, then morphological information can be obtained, but functional information from intracellular molecular movements is missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static morphology-based cell identification to dynamic function-based identification by measuring temporal fluctuations in optical signals. This allows the system to capture intracellular molecular movements and metabolic activity, providing functional information that complements morphological data for more accurate cellular phenotype identification.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fluorescence microscopy techniques are used to explore intracellular motility, then dynamic information can be obtained, but application to tissue or patients is not feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fluorescence microscopy with optical coherence tomography technology. This substitution eliminates the need for exogenous fluorescent labels while maintaining the ability to measure intracellular dynamics. The label-free OCT approach enables application to clinical tissue samples and patients, bridging the gap between research-grade dynamic imaging and clinical utility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
d-μOCT enables the delineation of microscopic features and cellular dynamics in living tissues, offering improved diagnostic capabilities and treatment efficacy assessment by distinguishing cell types and structures not visible in regular μOCT images.
Implementation Method 1
an interferometer to acquire interferometric information along an imaging plane that contains at least one tissue-depth-resolved axis that is based on radiations provided from a reference interfered with radiations returning from the biological tissue
Implementation Method 2
The molecular motion from these processes causes signal fluctuations in the micro-optical coherence tomography (μOCT) images. By recording these fluctuations in a cross-sectional imaging plane or in three dimensions and subsequently extracting the temporal frequency information
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for obtaining image data and functional data from a biological sample, the apparatus including: an interferometer configured to acquire interferometric information at a plurality of time points along an imaging plane for which at least one axis of the plane is at least partially along a depth or axial dimension that is based on radiations provided from a reference interfered with by the biological sample; and a processor configured to receive the interferometric information from the interferometer and configured to: process the interferometric information to generate an image of the biological sample along the imaging plane; determine frequency information based on the plurality of time points of the interferometric information, the frequency information reflecting temporal modulations induced by dynamic functions of the biological sample; generate a spatial map of the frequency information, and the spatial map of the frequency information indicating the dynamic functions of the biological sample.