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：空气技术翻译项目的重点是将微型适应光学器件与多光子激光扫描显微镜相结合，以满足需要多功能，可植入的三维成像系统，以研究清醒行为的动物中的大脑活动。纤维耦合的微型多光子显微镜很重要，因为它使神经科学家具有前所未有的能力研究复杂的神经元电路的动力学，而动物正在执行不同的行为任务。 该项目将导致概念验证证明我们在自由移动动物中运行的产品。 纤维耦合的微型多光子显微镜将通过主动聚焦进行完整的三维扫描，而无需在紧凑，轻巧设计的机械运动部件。 该产品可以很容易地连接到商业激光扫描显微镜。这些功能可以降低成本，在波长或成像方式的配置方面的灵活性，并且与该市场空间中领先的头部安装的显微镜系统相比，可以在更大的大脑体积上提供成像。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程序，因为它转化为商业应用。 尽管光学显微镜已迅速进行生物系统研究，但一个主要差距是能够在自由移动动物的大脑中使用这些高级成像工具进行动态研究。 我们建议在紧凑的纤维耦合设计中使用自适应光学器件将两光激发的优势与深度扫描相结合。 当前的市售微型显微镜仅允许单个成像平面，在成像过程中不能够进行主动聚焦，并且不允许靶向成像和光遗传刺激。微型多光子纤维耦合显微镜将使用纤维束将激光扫描信号转换为远端显微镜头，并将微型适应性光学元素转换为快速活跃的聚焦。这将为诸如快速利益成像，光遗传学刺激和使用多光子技术的深度成像之类的应用实现高通用性。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的会议，参加技术会议并参加外展活动获得技术翻译方面的经验。该项目参与3i（智能成像创新），这是一家专门提供高级光学显微镜系统的国际公司。这种合作将使该光纤耦合显微镜将其实施到商业系统中，并加快向全球商业市场的交付。