Luminal atherosclerosis imaging was demonstrated by multimodal femtosecond CARS
microscopy (MM-CARS). Using a myocardial infarction-prone rabbit model of
atherosclerosis, this study demonstrated the utility of multimodal CARS imaging in
determining atherosclerotic plaque burden through two types of image analysis procedures.
Firstly, multimodal CARS images were evaluated using a signal-intensity parameter based
on intensity changes derived from the multi-channel data (e.g. TPEF, SHG and CARS) to
classify plaque burden within the vessel. Secondly, the SHG images that mainly correspond
to collagen fibrils were evaluated using a texture analysis model based on the first-order
statistical (FOS) parameters of the image histogram. Correlation between FOS parameters of
collagen images with atherosclerosis plaque burden was established. A preliminary study
of using spectroscopic CARS in identifying the different lipid components within the plaque
was also discussed.
Label-free imaging of bulk arterial tissue is demonstrated using a multimodal nonlinear optical microscope based on a photonic crystal fiber and a single femtosecond oscillator operating at 800 nm. Colocalized imaging of extracellular elastin fibers, fibrillar collagen, and lipid-rich structures within aortic tissue obtained from atherosclerosis-prone myocardial infarction-prone Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHLMI) rabbits is demonstrated through two-photon excited fluorescence, second harmonic generation, and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering, respectively. These images are shown to differentiate healthy arterial wall, early atherosclerotic lesions, and advanced plaques. Clear pathological changes are observed in the extracellular matrix of the arterial wall and correlated with progression of atherosclerotic disease as represented by the age of the WHHLMI rabbits.
Nonlinear optical (NLO) microscopy provides a minimally invasive optical method for
fast molecular imaging at subcellular resolution with 3D sectioning capability in thick,
highly scattering biological tissues. In the current study, we demonstrate the imaging
of arterial tissue using a nonlinear optical microscope based on photonic crystal fiber
and a single femto-second oscillator operating at 800nm. This NLO microscope system
is capable of simultaneous imaging extracellular elastin/collagen structures and lipid
distribution within aortic tissue obtained from coronary atherosclerosis-prone WHHLMI
rabbits (Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbit-myocardial infarction) Clear
pathological differences in arterial lumen surface were observed between healthy
arterial tissue and atherosclerotic lesions through NLO imaging.
Nonlinear optical imaging technologies offer some intriguing medical diagnostic applications. Examples include fast
imaging of elastin and collagen distributions in diseased tissues using two-photon fluorescence (TPF) and second
harmonic generation (SHG), respectively. The 3D sectioning capabilities and biochemical specificity that enable fast
imaging in highly scattering biological media lie at the heart of the appeal of these nonlinear approaches for medical
applications. One of these promising nonlinear techniques relies on the resonance enhancement of the third order
nonlinear susceptibility by a vibrational mode of a molecule. Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) can
provide similar vibrational information as a spontaneous Raman spectrum. The technique has been shown to be orders
of magnitude more sensitive than spontaneous Raman, with video rate imaging demonstrated recently. In this work,
we investigate the potential use of broadband CARS spectroscopy and CARS imaging for biochemical analysis of
arterial tissue. Biochemical imaging data from broadband CARS is compared with spontaneous Raman
microspectroscopy. The broadband CARS system comprised of a single femtosecond-laser is presented in detail.
Issues related to data analysis, the advantages and current limitations of the CARS technique in biodiagnostics are
discussed.
Atherosclerosis is traditionally viewed as a disease of uncontrolled plaque growth leading to arterial occlusion. More
recently, however, occlusion of the arterial lumen is being viewed as an acute event triggered by plaque rupture and
thrombosis. An atheromatous plaque becomes vulnerable to sudden activation and/or rupture when a constellation of
processes are activated by various trigger mechanisms. There is growing evidence that the vulnerability (i.e.
susceptibility to rupture) and thrombogenic nature of the plaque need to be taken into account in the planning and
treatment of the disease. X-ray fluoroscopy and intravascular ultrasound, the current clinical diagnostic tools are not
capable of the providing a complete histological picture of the plaque region.
Intravascular diagnostic imaging of coronary atherosclerotic plaques by optical means to assess plaque, patient risk and
assist in planning treatment strategies represents the future in angioplasty treatment by interventional cardiologists. The
techniques which will enable a clinically acceptable and reliable intravascular diagnostic platform are currently being
investigated and compared to the clinical standard of histology.
Currently, we are investigating the use of a number of optical and imaging techniques for biochemical analysis of
arterial tissue including Raman, near infrared and fluorescence spectroscopies. Biochemical imaging will provide
compositional information on collagen, elastin, lipid and thrombogenic by-products as well as gauging inflammation
and tissue remodeling activity levels. To complement the functional biochemical imaging, optical coherence
tomography will be provide structural morphological imaging. The synergistic combination of functional and structural
imagery will provide the interventional cardiologist with a complete clinical picture of the atherosclerotic plaque region.
The clinician can use this diagnostic information to plan a personalized treatment procedure based on the entire clinical
presentation.
Pressure ulcers (sores) can occur when there is constant pressure being applied to tissue for extended periods of time. Immobile people are particularly prone to this problem. Ideally, pressure damage is detected at an early stage, pressure relief is applied and the pressure ulcer is averted. One of the hallmarks of pressure damaged skin is an obliterated blanch response due to compromised microcirculation near the surface of the skin. Visible reflectance spectroscopy can noninvasively probe the blood circulation of the upper layers of skin by measuring the electronic transitions arising from hemoglobin, the primary oxygen carrying protein in blood.
A spectroscopic test was developed on a mixed population of 30 subjects to determine if the blanch response could be detected in healthy skin with high sensitivity and specificity regardless of the pigmentation of the skin. Our results suggest that a spectroscopic based blanch response test can accurately detect the blanching of healthy tissue and has the potential to be developed into a screening test for early stage I pressure ulcers.
The process of taking a concept to a clinical device begins with the idea for a technological solution to an unmet clinical challenge. Burns are one of the most destructive insults to the skin causing damage, scarring, and in some cases death. The approach most commonly used to evaluate burns is based on the appearance of the wound. This technique is somewhat subjective and unreliable, relying on clinical experience to assess the burn. Instrument based diagnostic techniques as an adjunct to current practices has the potential to enhance the quality and timeliness of decisions concerning wound assessment and treatment. Near Infrared Spectroscopy is a promising technique that can track changes within the tissue, and can therefore provide insight as to how deep the burn actually penetrates before visual signs become apparent. Preliminary bench and animal studies were used to prove the concept of a near infrared based method of burn assessment. This study demonstrated the ability of near infrared imaging to detect and monitor the hemodynamics of burn injuries in the early post-burn period. Based on this study, a pre-prototype near infrared spectroscopic system was built with the goal of developing a reliable yet simple system that could be used in a clinical setting. A pilot clinical study was designed and implemented at the Ross Tilley Burn Center (Toronto, Canada) in order to assess the feasibility of our strategy in the clinical realm. The goal of this preliminary clinical study was to determine if the pre-prototype could be integrated into the strict regiment of an active burn centre. Both the instrument performance in a clinical setting and the injury assessment based on the analysis of near infrared reflectance measurements were a success.
Skin grafts and flaps form the basis of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Transplanted tissue such as a skin graft or free flap can experience a range of perfusion related complications. A number of adjunctive monitoring techniques have been suggested, however, none have met with clinical acceptance. A simple optical spectroscopic method is investigated and is shown to be superior to blood flow based methods for detecting and distinguishing between arterial insufficency and venous congestion in free flaps. The work suggests that this simple method may have clinical utility.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.