Hou Huayu, Tang Yubo, Coole Jackson B, Kortum Alex, Schwarz Richard A, Carns Jennifer, Gillenwater Ann M, Ramalingam Preetha, Milbourne Andrea, Salcedo Mila P, Schmeler Kathleen M, Richards-Kortum Rebecca R
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Biomed Opt Express. 2023 Sep 8;14(10):5097-5112. doi: 10.1364/BOE.498584. eCollection 2023 Oct 1.
Characterization of microvascular changes during neoplastic progression has the potential to assist in discriminating precancer and early cancer from benign lesions. Here, we introduce a novel high-resolution microendoscope that leverages scanning darkfield reflectance imaging to characterize angiogenesis without exogenous contrast agents. Scanning darkfield imaging is achieved by coupling programmable illumination with a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera rolling shutter, eliminating the need for complex optomechanical components and making the system portable, low-cost (<$5,500) and simple to use. Imaging depth is extended by placing a gradient-index (GRIN) lens at the distal end of the imaging fiber to resolve subepithelial microvasculature. We validated the capability of the scanning darkfield microendoscope to visualize microvasculature at different anatomic sites by imaging the oral cavity of healthy volunteers. Images of cervical specimens resected for suspected neoplasia reveal distinct microvascular patterns in columnar and squamous epithelium with different grades of precancer, indicating the potential of scanning darkfield microendoscopy to aid in efforts to prevent cervical cancer through early diagnosis.
在肿瘤进展过程中对微血管变化进行表征，有可能有助于将癌前病变和早期癌症与良性病变区分开来。在此，我们介绍一种新型高分辨率微型内窥镜，它利用扫描暗场反射成像来表征血管生成，无需外源性造影剂。扫描暗场成像通过将可编程照明与互补金属氧化物半导体（CMOS）相机滚动快门相结合来实现，无需复杂的光机械组件，使系统便于携带、成本低（<5500美元）且易于使用。通过在成像光纤远端放置一个梯度折射率（GRIN）透镜来扩展成像深度，以分辨上皮下微血管。我们通过对健康志愿者的口腔进行成像，验证了扫描暗场微型内窥镜在不同解剖部位可视化微血管的能力。对因疑似肿瘤而切除的宫颈标本的图像显示，不同癌前等级的柱状和鳞状上皮中微血管模式不同，这表明扫描暗场微型内窥镜有潜力通过早期诊断帮助预防宫颈癌。
