Abstract: A multi-site fluorescence recording system provides simultaneous monitoring of cell activity in different brain regions of a freely moving animal. The system includes an electrical rotary joint that couples signals to and from an external data acquisition and control unit connected to a stator of the rotary joint, which releases twisting of the optical fibers connected to the animal. Electrical signals are coupled to one or more fluorescence stimulation/detection units on the rotor of the rotary joint. The fluorescence stimulation/detection units receive one or more connections from optical fibers that connect the stimulation/detection unit(s) to the different brain sites. The rotating stimulation/detection units include spectral filters to separate the excitation light from the fluorescence signal, light sensors (an image sensor or photodiodes) and excitation light sources.

Abstract: A miniaturized microscope having a tunable focal length provides for fluorescence measurements at an adjustable focus, providing for autofocus and/or depth adjustment of an image measurement without altering or adjusting a probe implanted in a sample and while providing collimated illumination of an area within the sample. The microscope includes an objective lens having a fixed position with respect to a second connector for receiving light returning from the sample and focusing it on an image sensor within the microscope that generates an image output, a beamsplitter for separating light returning from the sample, and an electrically-tunable lens positioned between the objective lens and the image sensor for adjusting an optical path length from the optical interface to the image sensor. The illumination is focused at or near a back focal plane of the objective lens to the sample, providing collimated or quasi-collimated illumination on or within the sample.

Abstract: An optical cannula configured for implantation in biological tissue or other samples provides minimal invasiveness while accessing image deep structures within the sample. The cannula has a stabilizer portion that is used to affix the cannula to the sample, and an extension portion that protrudes into the sample and is either formed by, or contains, an optical probe that images a target area within the sample to an object image provided to an external optical device. The cannula has an integrated coupler portion that detachably connects to a connector of the external device, providing removable and interchangeable connection to external optical systems.

Abstract: A miniaturized microscope having a tunable focal length provides for fluorescence measurements at an adjustable focus, providing for autofocus and/or depth adjustment of an image measurement without altering or adjusting a probe implanted in a sample and while providing collimated illumination of an area within the sample. The microscope includes an objective lens having a fixed position with respect to a second connector for receiving light returning from the sample and focusing it on an image sensor within the microscope that generates an image output, a beamsplitter for separating light returning from the sample, and an electrically-tunable lens positioned between the objective lens and the image sensor for adjusting an optical path length from the optical interface to the image sensor. The illumination is focused at or near a back focal plane of the objective lens to the sample, providing collimated or quasi-collimated illumination on or within the sample.

Abstract: A miniaturized microscope provides the combined capability for simultaneous or sequential fluorescence imaging at two different wavelengths and/or at two different object planes within a sample to which a cannula is attached. The microscope includes an illumination input connector for connecting one or more illumination sources, a connector for connecting the microscope to the cannula, a pair of optical image sensors for imaging the two different object planes and/or wavelengths and a pair of optical splitters: one for separating the illumination from light returning from the sample and the other for splitting the light returning from the sample into two images and providing the two images to their corresponding image sensor.

Abstract: A miniaturized microscope provides the combined capability for simultaneous or sequential optogenetic stimulation of light sensitive ion channels with the capability for fluorescence imaging of fluorescent proteins for applications requiring simultaneous optical stimulation and monitoring of cell activity. The microscope includes a dual illumination output coupling for providing illumination to two different regions within the sample and/or two different illumination source inputs and a dual transmission band optical filter to clean two different bands of light that are separately available for optogenetic stimulation and fluorescence imaging.

Abstract: A method and a system for obtaining a high-resolution image of a volume of a sample using laser imaging are provided. The method includes a step of probing the volume of the sample with a first excitation beam having an intensity profile of maximum intensity at a center thereof, thereby obtaining a positive image of the volume. The method also includes a step of probing the volume of the sample with a second excitation beam having an intensity profile of minimum intensity at a center thereof and defining a peripheral region of maximum intensity around the center, thereby obtaining a negative image of the volume. The method finally includes a step of subtracting the negative image from the positive image, thereby obtaining the high-resolution image of the volume of the sample. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention can be probe- and fluorescence-independent, and be conveniently retrofitted into existing laser imaging systems.

Abstract: A miniaturized microscope provides the combined capability for simultaneous or sequential fluorescence imaging at two different wavelengths and/or at two different object planes within a sample to which a cannula is attached. The microscope includes an illumination input connector for connecting one or more illumination sources, a connector for connecting the microscope to the cannula, a pair of optical image sensors for imaging the two different object planes and/or wavelengths and a pair of optical splitters: one for separating the illumination from light returning from the sample and the other for splitting the light returning from the sample into two images and providing the two images to their corresponding image sensor.

Abstract: A miniaturized microscope provides the combined capability for simultaneous or sequential optogenetic stimulation of light sensitive ion channels with the capability for fluorescence imaging of fluorescent proteins for applications requiring simultaneous optical stimulation and monitoring of cell activity. The microscope includes a dual illumination output coupling for providing illumination to two different regions within the sample and/or two different illumination source inputs and a dual transmission band optical filter to clean two different bands of light that are separately available for optogenetic stimulation and fluorescence imaging.

Abstract: An optical cannula configured for implantation in biological tissue or other samples provides minimal invasiveness while accessing image deep structures within the sample. The cannula has a stabilizer portion that is used to affix the cannula to the sample, and an extension portion that protrudes into the sample and is either formed by, or contains, an optical probe that images a target area within the sample to an object image provided to an external optical device. The cannula has an integrated coupler portion that detachably connects to a connector of the external device, providing removable and interchangeable connection to external optical systems.

Abstract: A method and a system for obtaining a high-resolution image of a volume of a sample using laser imaging are provided. The method includes a step of probing the volume of the sample with a first excitation beam having an intensity profile of maximum intensity at a center thereof, thereby obtaining a positive image of the volume. The method also includes a step of probing the volume of the sample with a second excitation beam having an intensity profile of minimum intensity at a center thereof and defining a peripheral region of maximum intensity around the center, thereby obtaining a negative image of the volume. The method finally includes a step of subtracting the negative image from the positive image, thereby obtaining the high-resolution image of the volume of the sample. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention can be probe- and fluorescence-independent, and be conveniently retrofitted into existing laser imaging systems.