Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: Sub-diffraction limited fluorescent images using a fiber-based stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscope are reported. Both excitation and depletion beams are transported through polarization-maintaining fiber and a lateral resolution of 100 nm has been achieved.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and systems useful in imaging applications, especially biological imaging applications, and applications in the metrology, atmospheric, scientific and medical fields. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of imaging an object, including illuminating the object with incident radiation through one or more adaptive optical elements; receiving transmitted radiation from the object at a photodetector to provide a base image; and performing the following steps one or more times: adjusting the one or more adaptive optical elements, the adjustment including modifying an optical transfer function of the one or more adaptive optical elements, and receiving transmitted radiation from the object at the photodetector to provide an adjusted image; wherein the adjustment and receiving steps are performed until the adjusted image has substantially reduced aberrations compared to the base image.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: Sub-diffraction limited fluorescent images using a fiber-based stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscope are reported. Both excitation and depletion beams are transported through polarization-maintaining fiber and a lateral resolution of 100 nm has been achieved.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and systems useful in imaging applications, especially biological imaging applications, and applications in the metrology, atmospheric, scientific and medical fields. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of imaging an object, including illuminating the object with incident radiation through one or more adaptive optical elements; receiving transmitted radiation from the object at a photodetector to provide a base image; and performing the following steps one or more times: adjusting the one or more adaptive optical elements, the adjustment including modifying an optical transfer function of the one or more adaptive optical elements, and receiving transmitted radiation from the object at the photodetector to provide an adjusted image; wherein the adjustment and receiving steps are performed until the adjusted image has substantially reduced aberrations compared to the base image.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: Sub-diffraction limited fluorescent images using a fiber-based stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscope are reported. Both excitation and depletion beams are transported through polarization-maintaining fiber and a lateral resolution of 100 nm has been achieved.

Abstract: Devices and methods for labeling and mounting suspended cells in a controllable area are disclosed. The devices and methods utilize polycarbonate filters. The filters are employed both to capture the cells and as a substrate for labeling. This disclosure provides a device for cell capture and staining. This device utilizes a stack comprising a filter sandwiched between two o-rings (an “OFO stack”) in which the o-rings both seat the device and, based on their outer diameter and cross-section, determine the cell capture area. In one embodiment, an alignment plate is affixed to an output head of the device, the alignment plate having one or more through holes, a diameter of the one or more through holes matching an outer diameter of the OFO stack.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and systems useful in imaging applications, especially biological imaging applications, and applications in the metrology, atmospheric, scientific and medical fields. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of imaging an object, including illuminating the object with incident radiation through one or more adaptive optical elements; receiving transmitted radiation from the object at a photodetector to provide a base image; and performing the following steps one or more times: adjusting the one or more adaptive optical elements, the adjustment including modifying an optical transfer function of the one or more adaptive optical elements, and receiving transmitted radiation from the object at the photodetector to provide an adjusted image; wherein the adjustment and receiving steps are performed until the adjusted image has substantially reduced aberrations compared to the base image.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for modulation and imaging of tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods for labeling and mounting suspended cells in a controllable area are disclosed. The devices and methods utilize polycarbonate filters. The filters are employed both to capture the cells and as a substrate for labeling. This disclosure provides a device for cell capture and staining. This device utilizes a stack comprising a filter sandwiched between two o-rings (an “OFO stack”) in which the o-rings both seat the device and, based on their outer diameter and cross-section, determine the cell capture area. In one embodiment, an alignment plate is affixed to an output head of the device, the alignment plate having one or more through holes, a diameter of the one or more through holes matching an outer diameter of the OFO stack.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: A multimodal method for imaging tissue comprising: aligning an excitation light source with at least a portion of the tissue; selecting at least two modalities of image acquisition; imaging the tissue portion with each of the modalities of image acquisition; and constructing a dual mode image using images from each of the modalities of image acquisition. A multimodal system for imaging tissue comprising: an excitation light source or light sources; an optical and alignment system for directing the excitation beam or beams to a sample and receiving an emission beam from the sample; at least one detector for receiving the emission beam from the sample; and a spectral filtering or dispersing device for providing at least two imaging modalities at the at least one detector; and a processor for analyzing the detected emission beam and constructing a dual mode image using images from each of the modalities of image acquisition.

Abstract: A microfluidic cell sorter has a microfluidic structure (500) with a sample input channel (1 1 0) leading into an observation region (214), two buffer channels (1 1 8) configured to hydrodynamically focus a sample target cell (208) within the observation region, and at least two output channels (1 1 4). Apparatus directs the target cell into a selected output channel based on a cell sorting control signal (61 6). A CARS pulse source (524) generates CARS pulses (526), which are directed to the target cell within the observation region. A detector (530) detects CARS illumination scattered from the target signal and generates a spectrum signal based on the detected illumination. A processor (61 4) identifies the target cell based on the spectrum signal and generates the cell sorting control signal based on the identity of the target cell.