Two-Mode Raman Optical Projection Tomography for Label-Free 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing volumetric imaging technologies are limited by fluorescent labeling, which causes biological disturbances and cytotoxicity, and are restricted to small imaging scales and single information modes, failing to provide comprehensive structural and chemical composition data simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A two-mode Raman optical projection tomography system that uses a combination of Raman spectroscopic imaging and optical projection tomography, employing sparse sampling and TV minimization based ART algorithms to reconstruct and fuse three-dimensional structure and chemical composition images, allowing for label-free, high-resolution imaging of large samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescent labeling is used to achieve volumetric imaging, then structural information can be obtained, but biological disturbances and cytotoxicity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the fluorescent labeling component from the imaging system, replacing it with label-free Raman spectroscopy. This eliminates the harmful effects of fluorescent labels on biological systems while maintaining the capability to obtain structural and functional information through spontaneous Raman scattering signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the optical fluorescence detection mechanism with Raman scattering detection. Instead of relying on fluorescent labels that require excitation and emission processes, the system uses spontaneous Raman scattering which provides intrinsic molecular fingerprinting without introducing harmful labels into the biological system.
2Productivity
If light sheet microscopy is used for volumetric imaging, then imaging speed is improved, but image quality degrades with distance from the sample surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional light sheet imaging to three-dimensional optical projection tomography. By collecting transmission projection images at multiple angles and reconstructing the full 3D volume, the system maintains consistent image quality throughout the entire sample volume, eliminating the depth-dependent quality degradation inherent in light sheet microscopy.
3Loss of information
If spontaneous Raman tomography is used to achieve label-free imaging, then chemical composition information can be obtained, but spatial resolution is low and imaging speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into two distinct channels: a transmission projection imaging channel for high-resolution structural information and a Raman scattering channel for chemical composition information. This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized independently, with the transmission channel providing the spatial resolution and the Raman channel providing the chemical specificity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges two complementary imaging modalities - optical projection tomography for structure and Raman spectroscopy for chemistry - into a unified dual-mode system. The transmission projection images provide high-resolution anatomical context while the Raman signals provide molecular fingerprinting, and both are co-registered in 3D space to deliver simultaneous structural and chemical information at high resolution and speed.
4Device complexity
If single-mode imaging is used, then system complexity is reduced, but comprehensive information (structure and chemistry) cannot be obtained simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal imaging platform that performs multiple functions through a single integrated system. The same optical path and detection system can operate in transmission projection mode for structural imaging and in Raman scattering mode for chemical imaging, allowing dual-mode functionality without requiring separate complex instrumentation for each modality.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a two-mode Raman optical projection tomography system. Samples are irradiated by the laser beam after the beam being expanded by beam expander. Optical signal of each mode will be separated by the beam splitter. Sparse sampling method is used for signal collection. Optical transmission projection signal acquisition module collects transmitted light of samples to form optical projection image. Multi-spectral Raman scattering signal acquisition module collects Raman scattering light produced by samples. Background noise is removed from the collected data. Sparse sampling data are reconstructed by using algebraic reconstruction method (ART) based on TV minimization. The three-dimensional structure image obtained by reconstruction and the three-dimensional chemical compositions image are fused to obtain the three-dimensional volume image with multiple information.