Ruth Steiger

Optical mirror trap with a large field of view

Holographic optical tweezers typically require microscope objectives with high numerical aperture and thus usually suffer from the disadvantage of a small field of view and a small working distance. We experimentally investigate an optical mirror trap that is created after reflection of two holographically shaped collinear beams on a mirror. This approach combines a large field of view and a large working distance with the possibility to manipulate particles in a large size range, since it allows to use a microscope objective with a numerical aperture as low as 0.2. In this work we demonstrate robust optical three-dimensional trapping in a range of 1mm x 1mm x 2mm with particle sizes ranging from 1.4 mum up to 45 mum. The use of spatial light modulator based holographic methods to create the trapping beams allows to simultaneously trap many beads in complex, dynamic configurations. We present measurements that characterize the mirror traps in terms of trap stiffness, maximum trapping force and capture range.

Combined acoustic and optical trapping

Combining several methods for contact free micro-manipulation of small particles such as cells or micro-organisms provides the advantages of each method in a single setup. Optical tweezers, which employ focused laser beams, offer very precise and selective handling of single particles. On the other hand, acoustic trapping with wavelengths of about 1 mm allows the simultaneous trapping of many, comparatively large particles. With conventional approaches it is difficult to fully employ the strengths of each method due to the different experimental requirements. Here we present the combined optical and acoustic trapping of motile micro-organisms in a microfluidic environment, utilizing optical macro-tweezers, which offer a large field of view and working distance of several millimeters and therefore match the typical range of acoustic trapping. We characterize the acoustic trapping forces with the help of optically trapped particles and present several applications of the combined optical and acoustic trapping, such as manipulation of large (75 μm) particles and active particle sorting.

Mapping of phase singularities with spiral phase contrast microscopy.

In spiral phase contrast (SPC) microscopy the edge-enhancement is typically independent of the helicity of the phase vortex filter. Here we show that for layered specimens containing screw-dislocations, as are e.g. present in mica or some crystallized organic substances, the intensity distribution in the filtered image acquires a dependence on the rotational direction of the filter. This allows one to map the distribution of phase singularities in the topography of the sample, by taking the intensity difference between two images recorded with opposite handedness. For the demonstration of this feature in a microscopy set-up, we encode the vortex filter as a binary off-axis hologram displayed on a spatial light modulator (SLM) placed in a Fourier plane. Using a binary grating, the diffraction efficiencies for the plus and minus first diffraction orders are equal, giving rise to two image waves which travel in different directions and are Fourier filtered with opposite helicity. The corresponding two images can be recorded simultaneously in two separate regions of the camera chip. This enables mapping of dislocations in the sample in a single camera exposure, as was demonstrated for various transparent samples.

SLM-based off-axis Fourier filtering in microscopy with white light illumination

In various microscopy applications spatial light modulators (SLMs) are used as programmable Fourier filters to realize different optical contrast enhancement methods. It is often advantageous to use the SLM in off-axis configuration, where the filtered image wave is sent into the first diffraction order of a blazed grating superposed to the phase mask on the SLM. Because of dispersion this approach is, however, typically limited to spectrally narrowband illumination. Here we suggest a method involving a grating for pre-compensation, which allows one to use spectrally broadband (even thermal) light in SLM-based Fourier filtering. The proposed approach is demonstrated by multicolor imaging of amplitude and phase objects, such as a resolution target, onion epidermal cells and human epithelial cheek cells.

Carpal tunnel syndrome assessment with diffusion tensor imaging: Value of fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient

AbstractObjectivesTo quantitatively assess carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with DTI by evaluating two approaches to determine cut-off values.MethodsIn forty patients with CTS diagnosis confirmed by nerve conduction studies (NCs) and 14 healthy subjects (mean age 58.54 and 57.8 years), cross-sectional area (CSA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) at single and multiple levels with intraobserver agreement were evaluated.ResultsMaximum and mean CSA and FA showed significant differences between healthy subjects and patients (12.85 mm2 vs. 28.18 mm2, p < 0.001, and 0.613 vs. 0.524, p=0.007, respectively) (10.12 mm2 vs. 19.9 mm2, p<0.001 and 0.617 vs. 0.54, p=0.003, respectively), but not maximum and mean ADC (p > 0.05). For cut-off values, mean and maximum CSA showed the same sensitivity and specificity (93.3 %). However, mean FA showed better sensitivity than maximum FA (82.6 % vs. 73.9 %), but lower specificity (66.7 % vs. 80 %), and significant correlation for maximum CSA, 97 % (p < 0.01), with good correlation for maximum ADC and FA, 84.5 % (p < 0.01) and 62 % (p=0.056), respectively.ConclusionsCSA and FA showed significant differences between healthy subjects and patients. Single measurement at maximum CSA is suitable for FA determination. Key Points • DTI showed that FA is stronger than ADC for CTS diagnosis.• Single- and multiple-level approaches were compared to determine FA and ADC. • Single-level evaluation at the thickest MN cross-sectional area is sufficient.

Diagnostic potential of dentatorubrothalamic tract analysis in progressive supranuclear palsy

BACKGROUND The differentiation of progressive supranuclear palsy-parkinsonism (PSP-P) from Parkinsons disease (PD) remains a major clinical challenge. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the diagnostic potential of observer-independent assessments of microstructural integrity within infratentorial brain regions to differentiate PSP-Richardsons syndrome (PSP-RS), PSP-P and PD. METHODS 3T MRI parameters of mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy, grey and white matter volumes from patients with PSP-RS (n = 12), PSP-P (n = 12) and mean disease duration of 2.4 ± 1.7 years were compared with PD patients (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 23) by using statistical parametric mapping and the spatially unbiased infratentorial template. Subsequently MRI measurements of the dentatorubrothalamic tract were determined observer-independently by a validated probabilistic infratentorial atlas. The impairment of gait and postural stability was evaluated by a sum-score derived from the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale. RESULTS Significant mean diffusivity increases, fractional anisotropy decreases and corresponding volume loss were localized in mesencephalic tegmentum, superior cerebellar peduncle, decussation of superior cerebellar peduncle and dentate nucleus in PSP-RS and PSP-P compared to PD and healthy controls. Altered microstructural integrity of the dentatorubrothalamic tract in PSP-RS was significantly more pronounced compared to PSP-P and correlated significantly with the gait and postural stability sum-score. Linear discriminant analysis identified diffusion tensor imaging measures of the dentatorubrothalamic tract and the gait and postural stability sum-score to classify correctly 95.5% of PRP-RS, PSP-P and PD patients. CONCLUSIONS Observer-independent analysis of microstructural integrity within the dentatorubrothalamic tract in combination with assessments of gait and postural stability differentiate PSP-P from PSP-RS and PD in early to moderately advanced stages.

Improved visualisation of early cerebral infarctions after endovascular stroke therapy using dual-energy computed tomography oedema maps

ObjectiveThe aim was to investigate whether dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) reconstructions optimised for oedema visualisation (oedema map; EM) facilitate an improved detection of early infarctions after endovascular stroke therapy (EST).MethodsForty-six patients (21 women; 25 men; mean age: 63 years; range 24–89 years) were included. The brain window (BW), virtual non-contrast (VNC) and modified VNC series based on a three-material decomposition technique optimised for oedema visualisation (EM) were evaluated. Follow-up imaging was used as the standard for comparison. Contralateral side to infarction differences in density (CIDs) were determined. Infarction detectability was assessed by two blinded readers, as well as image noise and contrast using Likert scales. ROC analyses were performed and the respective Youden indices calculated for cut-off analysis.ResultsThe highest CIDs were found in the EM series (73.3 ± 49.3 HU), compared with the BW (-1.72 ± 13.29 HU) and the VNC (8.30 ± 4.74 HU) series. The EM was found to have the highest infarction detection rates (area under the curve: 0.97 vs. 0.54 and 0.90, p < 0.01) with a cut-off value of < 50.7 HU, despite slightly more pronounced image noise. The location of the infarction did not affect detectability (p > 0.05 each).ConclusionsThe EM series allows higher contrast and better early infarction detection than the VNC or BW series after EST.Key Points• Dual-energy CT EM allows better early infarction detection than standard brain window.• Dual-energy CT EM series allow better early infarction detection than VNC series.• Dual-energy CT EM are modified VNC based on water content of tissue.

Behavioural and neural responses to aversive visceral stimuli in women with primary dysmenorrhoea

Chronic pelvic pain, in particular dysmenorrhoea, is a significant yet unresolved healthcare problem in gynaecology. As interoceptive sensitivity and underlying neural mechanisms remain incompletely understood, this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study assessed behavioural and neural responses to visceral stimuli in primary dysmenorrhoea (PMD).

Cerebral Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in a Patient with Giant Cell Arteritis and Endovascular Therapy

With phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) energy metabolites can be visualised. In this case study, we report on a patient with stenosis and wall contrast enhancement in the left internal carotid and the right vertebral artery, due to giant cell arteritis. 31P MRS revealed a decreased inorganic phosphate-to-phosphocreatine ratio (Pi/PCr) in regions with a prolonged mean transit time (MTT). After systemic therapy and angioplasty of the right vertebral artery, the stenosis and the symptoms improved and the area of prolonged MTT became smaller. However, a new decrease in Pi/PCr in areas that developed moderately prolonged MTT was observed.