Spectral and lifetime endomicroscopic measurements using one and two-photon excitation

Abstract

Current surgical biopsy needs several days for the analysis process to be finished. Anatomopathologists provide analysis reports to the surgeon a few days after the surgical intervention, which makes it a lengthy decision making practice. In addition, the lack of precise guidance often leads to inaccuracies in the selection of tissue regions for biopsy and so necessitates repeating the operation sometimes. Our project aims at reducing this time as well as patient discomfort. In this context, we propose to develop a multimodal nonlinear endomicroscope providing several means of contrast. Among these contrast that are useful in the detection of tumor regions, we note imaging by linear and non-linear fluorescence, by second and third harmonic generation and by reflectance. In addition, this technique allows fluorescence lifetime and spectral measurements. Our endomicroscopic system is based on a new homemade customized double-clad photonic crystal fiber (DC-PCF). Finally, this double-clad micro structured optical fiber insures visible and near infrared excitation. This system was tested by measuring fluorescence lifetime and the spectral shape of a fixed tumoral brain sample in one and two photon excitations.