Journal: Biomedical Optics Express

Article Title: Scanning darkfield high-resolution microendoscope for label-free microvascular imaging

doi: 10.1364/BOE.498584

Figure Lengend Snippet: (A) Block diagram and (B) photograph of the portable DF-HRME imaging system. The distal tip of a thin, flexible fiber optic bundle is enclosed in a 3D-printed probe holder and placed in contact with the tissue epithelium. The probe relays the image to the portable optical system at the proximal end of the bundle. The system is controlled via a GUI on a laptop; high resolution video of microvasculature is displayed in real time without the need for an exogenous contrast agent. (C) Optical diagram of the DF-HRME. Scanning darkfield illumination is used to enable reflectance imaging of microvasculature through the fiber bundle. A DLP is used to project a scanning structured illumination pattern at the proximal face of the fiber bundle; synchronized detection is performed using a CMOS camera. An offset is introduced between the illumination and detection apertures to reduce internal reflection. Arrows indicate the directions of scanning at the probe surfaces, DLP and CMOS camera. DF-HRME: scanning darkfield high-resolution microendoscope; DLP: digital light projector; CMOS: complementary metal-oxide semiconductor camera; GUI: graphical user interface.

Article Snippet: A graphical user interface (GUI) programmed in MATLAB (The MathWorks, Natick, Massachusetts) is implemented on a laptop to control the DF-HRME and display images in real-time.

Techniques: Blocking Assay, Imaging