PFI:AIR - TT: Proof-of-concept fiber-based miniature multiphoton microscope using adaptable optics

PFI:AIR - TT：使用适应性光学器件的基于光纤的微型多光子显微镜的概念验证

• 批准号: 1602128
• 负责人: Emily Gibson
• 金额: $ 20万
• 依托单位: University of Colorado at Denver-Downtown Campus
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2016-06-01 至 2018-11-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1602128&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: PFI; AIR; TT; Proof; concept

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on combining miniature adaptable optics with multiphoton laser scanning microscopy to fill the need for a versatile, implantable, three-dimensional imaging system for studying brain activity in awake behaving animals. The fiber-coupled miniature multiphoton microscope is important because it allows neuroscientists an unprecedented ability to study dynamics of complex neuronal circuits while animals are undergoing different behavior tasks. The project will result in a proof-of-concept demonstration of our product operating in freely moving animals. The fiber-coupled miniature multiphoton microscope will allow full three-dimensional scanning through active focusing with no mechanically moving parts in a compact, light weight design. The product can be readily connected to a commercial-laser scanning microscope. These features allow for reduced cost, flexibility in configuration of the wavelength or imaging modality to be performed, and can provide imaging over larger brain volumes when compared to the leading head-mounted microscope systems in this market space.This project addresses the following technology gaps as it translates from research discovery toward commercial application. Although light microscopy has rapidly advanced for studies of biological systems, one major gap is the ability to use these advanced imaging tools for dynamic studies in the brain in freely moving animals. We propose to combine the advantages of two-photon excitation with depth scanning using adaptive optics in a compact fiber-coupled design. Current commercially available miniature microscopes only allow for single imaging planes, do not enable active focusing during imaging and do not allow both targeted imaging and optogenetic stimulation. The miniature multiphoton fiber-coupled microscope will use a fiber-bundle to translate the laser-scanned signal to the distal microscope head and miniature adaptable optical elements to provide fast active focusing. This will accomplish high versatility for applications such as fast region-of-interest imaging, optogenetic stimulation, and depth imaging with multiphoton techniques. Personnel involved in this project including undergraduate and graduate students, will receive experience in technology translation through meetings with business partners, attending technology conferences, and participating in outreach events.This project engages 3i (Intelligent Imaging Innovations), an international company that specializes in delivering advanced optical microscope systems. This collaboration will allow implementation of this fiber-coupled microscope into commercial systems and speed delivery to a global commercial market.

该 PFI：AIR 技术翻译项目的重点是将微型适应性光学器件与多光子激光扫描显微镜相结合，以满足对多功能、可植入、三维成像系统的需求，用于研究清醒行为动物的大脑活动。光纤耦合微型多光子显微镜很重要，因为它使神经科学家能够在动物经历不同行为任务时研究复杂神经元回路的动力学。 该项目将在自由活动的动物身上对我们的产品进行概念验证演示。 光纤耦合微型多光子显微镜将通过主动聚焦进行全三维扫描，无需机械移动部件，设计紧凑、重量轻。 该产品可以轻松连接到商用激光扫描显微镜。与该市场领域领先的头戴式显微镜系统相比，这些功能可以降低成本，灵活配置波长或成像模式，并且可以在更大的脑体积上提供成像。该项目解决了以下技术差距因为它从研究发现转化为商业应用。 尽管光学显微镜在生物系统研究方面取得了迅速进展，但一个主要差距是使用这些先进成像工具对自由活动动物的大脑进行动态研究的能力。 我们建议在紧凑的光纤耦合设计中使用自适应光学器件将双光子激发与深度扫描的优点结合起来。 目前市售的微型显微镜仅允许单个成像平面，在成像过程中不能主动聚焦，并且不允许靶向成像和光遗传学刺激。微型多光子光纤耦合显微镜将使用光纤束将激光扫描信号传输到远端显微镜头和微型适应性光学元件，以提供快速主动聚焦。这将为快速感兴趣区域成像、光遗传学刺激和多光子技术深度成像等应用实现高度多功能性。参与该项目的人员包括本科生和研究生，将通过与业务合作伙伴会面、参加技术会议和参加外展活动来获得技术翻译经验。该项目聘请了 3i（Intelligent Imaging Innovations），一家专门从事交付技术的国际公司。先进的光学显微镜系统。此次合作将允许将这种光纤耦合显微镜应用到商业系统中，并加快向全球商业市场的交付。