Use of a system for imaging by fiber-optic confocal fluorescence in vivo in situ, system and method for imaging by fiber-optic confocal fluorescence in vivo in situ

摘要

A method for imaging a tissue includes collecting a light signal from at least part of said tissue, using a fiber optic probe for fluorescence imaging, wherein the fiber optic probe comprises a plurality of optic fibers, and wherein a distal tip of the fiber optic probe is placed at a distance from said tissue, said imaging being made confocal at a proximal tip of said fiber optic probe. A fluorescence imaging system includes an endoscope equipped with a working channel, in which a fiber optic probe has been inserted, wherein the fiber optic probe is movable between a retracted position and at least one position of extension, said fiber optic probe comprising a plurality of optic fibers for performing imaging of a tissue, said imaging being confocal via a processor located at a proximal tip of said fiber optic probe.

主权项

1. A method for imaging a tissue, comprising:
collecting a light signal from at least part of said tissue, using a fiber optic probe for fluorescence imaging,
wherein the fiber optic probe comprises a plurality of optic fibers contributing to said collecting of the light signal,wherein the plurality of optic fibers extends in a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fiber optic probe; extending the fiber optic probe so that a distal tip of the fiber optic probe is placed at a distance of 15-300 micrometers from a target tissue to be imaged in the direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fiber optic probe, said imaging being made confocal at a proximal tip of said fiber optic probe; and obtaining a fluorescence image of the target tissue using the optical probe, wherein a tracking mechanism is used in the extending step to guide the extension of the distal tip of the fiber optic probe, such that the distal tip of the fiber optic probe is placed at the distance of 15-300 micrometers from the target tissue for imaging of the target tissue.