Real-Time Multidepth Multiphoton Microscopy Using Pixel-to-Pixel Focus-Switching

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Multiphoton microscopy is a well-established technique for biomedical applications, but real-time multidepth multimodal multiphoton microscopy using non-imaging detection has barely been discussed. We demonstrate a novel label-free imaging system capable of generating multimodal multiphoton signals at different focal planes simultaneously. Two spatially overlapped and temporally interlaced beams are obtained by applying cost-effective electro-optic modulator (EOM)-based fast-switching light paths. The switching beams have different divergence properties, enabling imaging at different depths into samples. The EOM is synchronized to the pixel clock from the microscope, achieving pixel-to-pixel focus-switching. The capability of the imaging system is demonstrated by performing real-time multidepth two-photon fluorescence (TPF) and second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging of freshly excised mouse lung lobes. TPF and SHG images are acquired at two wavelength ranges. One is between 415 and 455 nm, and the other is between 495 and 635 nm. The microenvironment of pulmonary alveoli is depicted by the distributions of both elastin fibers visualized by TPF and collagen fibers illustrated by SHG. Macrophages residing inside apparent alveolar lumens are also identified by TPF, which shows that the imaging system is capable of localizing biological objects in three dimensions and has the potential of monitoring in vivo cellular dynamics in the axial direction.