Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a simple, fast, and low cost method for 3D microvascular imaging, termed “scatter labeled imaging of microvasculature in excised tissue” (SLIME). The method can include perfusing a contrast agent through vasculature of a tissue sample. The contrast agent can include colloids and a dispersant. After the contrast agent is perfused through the vasculature, the vasculature of the tissue sample can be treated with a molecule that cross links with at least a portion of the dispersant to form a sticky, non-Newtonian polymer that prevents leakage of the contrast agent out of the vasculature of the tissue sample. The tissue sample can then be immersed in a solution comprising a clearing agent and subsequently imaged.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a simple, fast, and low cost method for 3D microvascular imaging, termed “scatter labeled imaging of microvasculature in excised tissue” (SLIME). The method can include perfusing a contrast agent through vasculature of a tissue sample. The contrast agent can include colloids and a dispersant. After the contrast agent is perfused through the vasculature, the vasculature of the tissue sample can be treated with a molecule that cross links with at least a portion of the dispersant to form a sticky, non-Newtonian polymer that prevents leakage of the contrast agent out of the vasculature of the tissue sample. The tissue sample can then be immersed in a solution comprising a clearing agent and subsequently imaged.

Abstract: A external accessory can allow a mobile device to perform microscopy imaging with Type-C ultraviolet (UVC) light excitation. The external accessory includes a compound lens placed in front of a camera lens of the mobile device. A light transparent optical window configured to be placed in front of the compound lens and positioned such that a front surface of the optical window overlaps the front focal plane of the compound lens. One or more light emitting diode (LED) that emits UVC light positioned at one or more side-edges of the optical window. The one or more LED emits UVC light through the optical window so that the UVC light undergoes total internal reflection. An externally triggered LED driver configured to power and control the LED(s).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a simple, fast, and low cost method for 3D microvascular imaging, termed “scatter labeled imaging of microvasculature in excised tissue” (SLIME). The method can include perfusing a contrast agent through vasculature of a tissue sample with a contrast perfusing unit (22). The contrast agent can include colloids and a dispersant. After the contrast agent is perfused through the vasculature, the vasculature of the tissue sample can be treated with a cross-linking agent delivery unit (24) providing a molecule that cross links with at least a portion of the dispersant to form a sticky, non-Newtonian polymer that prevents leakage of the contrast agent out of the vasculature of the tissue sample. The tissue sample can then be immersed in a solution comprising a clearing agent with an optical clearing unit (26) and subsequently imaged.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for improving light-sheet microscopy with cost-effective and simplified components. Such cost-effective and simplified components can be implemented in a light focusing system, a light generation system, and/or in imaging system. The light focusing system can be improved by attaching a voice coil motor to a focusing lens to increase the imagable field of view. The light generation system can be improved with a multimode laser diode to increase the uniformity of the beam profile and to increase the usable optical power. The imaging system can be improved by using a fluid chamber with positive cylindrical optical window for minimizing spherical aberrations.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for imaging a fluorescent bioassay (including a substrate, such as dispersed cellular sample, exposed to one or more exogenous fluorophore and/or fluorescent probe that accumulate in a structure of interest). The bioassay can be excited with Type-C ultraviolet (UVC) light produced by one or more light emitting diode (LED). The UVC can have a center wavelength that causes emission by the fluorescent bioassay. A digital optical device can collect a signal emitted from the fluorescent bioassay in response to the excitation. The methods relate in particular to Microscopy with Ultraviolet Surface Excitation (MUSE) imaging.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical clearing method called lipid-preserving index matching for prolonged imaging depth (LIMPID). The optical clearing method can include simply immersing a sample in an optical clearing solution before imaging (e.g., with microscopy or optical coherence tomography). The optical clearing solution can include water; an iodine-containing non-ionic radiocontrast agent; and urea.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a simple, fast, and low cost method for 3D microvascular imaging, termed “scatter labeled imaging of microvasculature in excised tissue” (SLIME). The method can include perfusing a contrast agent through vasculature of a tissue sample with a contrast perfusing unit (22). The contrast agent can include colloids and a dispersant. After the contrast agent is perfused through the vasculature, the vasculature of the tissue sample can be treated with a cross-linking agent delivery unit (24) providing a molecule that cross links with at least a portion of the dispersant to form a sticky, non-Newtonian polymer that prevents leakage of the contrast agent out of the vasculature of the tissue sample. The tissue sample can then be immersed in a solution comprising a clearing agent with an optical clearing unit (26) and subsequently imaged.