Dynamic Micro-OCT Frequency Mapping for Cellular Function Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscopy techniques struggle to capture the dynamic properties and functions of cells within tissues, particularly in living organisms, as they focus on static cellular phenotypes and morphology, missing crucial information on intracellular molecular movements that reflect cell function.
Innovation Solution
Dynamic micro-optical coherence tomography (d-μOCT) is employed to analyze the motion of particles inside tissue at subcellular resolution, providing enhanced contrast by recording signal fluctuations and generating frequency maps that superimpose onto morphological images, enabling the delineation of microscopic features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional microscopy techniques are used to image cells, then static cellular morphology can be observed, but dynamic intracellular molecular movements and cellular functions cannot be captured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical coherence tomography as an intermediary technique that bridges the gap between conventional microscopy and functional imaging. By introducing low-coherence light interference as a mediator, the system can probe intracellular dynamics without requiring complex fluorescent labeling or genetically modified cells, thus capturing molecular movements while avoiding excessive system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the imaging parameter from static intensity measurement to dynamic phase fluctuation analysis. By measuring temporal variations in optical path length and phase shifts caused by intracellular motion, the system transforms static morphological imaging into dynamic functional imaging, enabling detection of molecular movements through parameter transformation rather than system complexity increase
2Measurement precision
If reflectance imaging is used to obtain cross-sectional tissue images, then structural information can be acquired, but image contrast is low due to small and inconsistent refractive index gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static reflectance imaging to dynamic optical coherence tomography by introducing temporal dimension. The system measures time-varying phase fluctuations and signal intensity changes caused by intracellular motion, converting static low-contrast images into dynamic high-contrast functional images that reveal both structure and motion characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs periodic scanning of the optical beam through the tissue sample, acquiring multiple sequential images over time. By analyzing the periodic temporal fluctuations in phase and intensity at each pixel location, the system extracts dynamic contrast information that enhances image quality while simultaneously revealing tissue functional properties through Fourier transformation of the time-series data
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution cross-sectional imaging is performed, then subcellular structures can be resolved, but temporal dynamics and metabolic activity of individual cells cannot be studied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous rapid acquisition of cross-sectional images through high-speed optical coherence tomography scanning. By maintaining continuous temporal sampling at each spatial location and utilizing parallel A-line acquisition, the system preserves both high spatial resolution and temporal continuity, enabling simultaneous observation of subcellular structures and their dynamic behavior without temporal aliasing or loss of metabolic information
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 offers sub-cellular resolution imaging in the cross-sectional plane, allowing the study of individual cells' dynamics in whole tissue, providing better diagnostic value than traditional biopsies and enabling clinical assessment of cellular dynamics.
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
Metabolism gives rise to molecular and organelle movement caused by intracellular processes which can be different from thermal-driven Brownian motion. The molecular motion from these processes causes signal fluctuations in the micro-optical coherence tomography (μOCT) images
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.