D. S. Elson

High-speed wide-field time-gated endoscopic fluorescence-lifetime imaging

We report the development of a high-speed wide-field fluorescence-lifetime imaging (FLIM) system that provides fluorescence-lifetime images at rates of as many as 29 frames/s. A FLIM multiwell plate reader and a potentially portable FLIM endoscopic system operating at 355-nm excitation have been demonstrated.

Toward the clinical application of time-domain fluorescence lifetime imaging

High-speed (video-rate) fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) through a flexible endoscope is reported based on gated optical image intensifier technology. The optimization and potential application of FLIM to tissue autofluorescence for clinical applications are discussed.

Real-time time-domain fluorescence lifetime imaging including single-shot acquisition with a segmented optical image intensifier

High-speed (video-rate) fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) is reported using two different time-domain approaches based on gated optical image intensifier technology. The first approach utilizes a rapidly switchable variable delay generator with sequential image acquisition, while the second employs a novel segmented gated optical imager to acquire lifetime maps in a single shot. Lifetimes are fitted using both a non-linear least-squares fit analysis and the rapid lifetime determination method. Monte Carlo simulations were used to optimize the acquisition parameters and a comparison between theory and experiment is presented. The importance of single-shot imaging to minimize the deleterious impact of sample movements is highlighted. Real-time FLIM movies of multi-well plate samples and tissue autofluorescence are presented.

Fluorescence lifetime system for microscopy and multiwell plate imaging with a blue picosecond diode laser

We report a wide-field fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) system that uses a blue picosecond pulsed diode laser as the excitation source. This represents a significant miniaturization and simplification compared with other time-domain FLIM instruments that should accelerate the development of clinical and real-world applications of FLIM. We have demonstrated this instrument in two configurations: a macroimaging setup applied to multiwell plate assays of chemically and biologically interesting fluorophores and a microscope system that has been applied to imaging of tissue sections. The importance of the adjustable repetition rate of this laser source is discussed with respect to noise reduction and precision in the lifetime determination, illustrating a further significant advantage over conventional mode-locked solid-state lasers.

Fluorescence lifetime imaging by using time-gated data acquisition

The use of the time gating technique for lifetime reconstruction in the Fourier domain is a novel technique. Time gating provides sufficient data points in the time domain for reliable application of the Fourier transform, which is essential for the time deconvolution of the system of the integral equations employed in the reconstruction. The Fourier domain telegraph equation is employed to model the light transport, which allows a sufficiently broad interval of frequencies to be covered. Reconstructed images contain enough information needed for recovering the lifetime distribution in a sample for any given frequency within the megahertz-gigahertz band. The use of this technique is essential for recovering time-dependent information in fluorescence imaging. This technique was applied in reconstruction of the lifetime distribution of four tubes filled with Rhodamine 6G embedded inside a highly scattering slab. Relatively accurate fluorescence lifetime reconstruction demonstrates the effectiveness and the potential of the proposed technique.

Optically sectioned fluorescence lifetime imaging using a Nipkow disk microscope and a tunable ultrafast continuum excitation source

We demonstrate an optically sectioned fluorescence lifetime imaging microscope with a wide-field detector, using a convenient, continuously tunable (435-1150 nm) ultrafast source for fluorescence imaging applications that is derived from a visible supercontinuum generated in a microstructured fiber.

Optical sectioning microscopes with no moving parts using a micro-stripe array light emitting diode

We describe an optical sectioning microscopy system with no moving parts based on a micro-structured stripe-array light emitting diode (LED). By projecting arbitrary line or grid patterns onto the object, we are able to implement a variety of optical sectioning microscopy techniques such as grid-projection structured illumination and line scanning confocal microscopy, switching from one imaging technique to another without modifying the microscope setup. The micro-structured LED and driver are detailed and depth discrimination capabilities are measured and calculated.

Biomedical Applications of Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging

Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) provides a robust functional imaging modality for biomedicine. Recent advances in ultrafast laser and detector technology make FLIM increasingly accessible for life scientists and point the way to new clinical instrumentation.

Application of hyperspectral fluorescence lifetime imaging to tissue autofluorescence: arthritis

Tissue contains many natural fluorophores and therefore by exploiting autofluorescence, we can obtain information from tissue with less interference than conventional histological techniques. However, conventional intensity imaging is prone to artifacts since it is an absolute measurement. Fluorescence lifetime and spectral measurements are relative measurements and therefore allow for better measurements. We have applied FLIM and hyperspectral FLIM to the study of articular cartilage and its disease arthritis. We have analyzed normal human articular cartilage and cartilage which was in the early stages of disease. In this case, it was found that FLIM was able to detect changes in the diseased tissue that were not detectable with the conventional diagnosis. Specifically, the fluorescence lifetimes (FL) of the cells were different between the two samples. We have also applied hyperspectral FLIM to degraded cartilage through treatment with interleukin-1. In this case, it was found that there was a shift in the emission spectrum with treatment and that the lifetime had also increased. We also showed that there was greater contrast between the cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) at longer wavelengths.

Fluorescence lifetime imaging using a compact, low-cost, diode-based all-solid-state regenerative amplifier

A fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) system is described that utilizes a new compact and low-cost ultrafast laser source based on a gain-switched laser diode-seeded all-solid-state Cr:LiSAF regenerative amplifier that has been designed for this application. The pulse parameters of this source (0.5 μJ, 827 nm, 100 ps, 5 kHz) are shown to be appropriate to time-domain FLIM using a gated optical intensifier and the application to functional imaging of biological tissue is demonstrated, as well as the first evaluation of organic light emitting diodes using FLIM.