Fluorescence microscopy relies on efficient emission of molecules excited by an incident laser light. However, their emission is often intrinsically limited by a low fluorescence quantum yield which results in low contrast images. In our recent efforts, we explored the fluorescence life-time imaging contrast for those low efficient fluorophores to find out that those molecules exhibit a rather intense emission over a relatively short time. This short fluorescence time was found to be dependent of the local structure and local environment providing a novel biomarker for biological imaging.
SignificanceThe vocal folds are critically important structures within the larynx which serve the essential functions of supporting the airway, preventing aspiration, and phonation. The vocal fold mucosa has a unique multilayered architecture whose layers have discrete viscoelastic properties facilitating sound production. Perturbations in these properties lead to voice loss. Currently, vocal fold pliability is inferred clinically using laryngeal videostroboscopy and no tools are available for in vivo objective assessment.AimThe main objective of the present study is to evaluate viability of Brillouin microspectroscopy for differentiating vocal folds’ mechanical properties against surrounding tissues.ApproachWe used Brillouin microspectroscopy as an emerging optical imaging modality capable of providing information about local viscoelastic properties of tissues in noninvasive and remote manner.ResultsBrillouin measurements of the porcine larynx vocal folds were performed. Elasticity-driven Brillouin spectral shifts were recorded and analyzed. Elastic properties, as assessed by Brillouin spectroscopy, strongly correlate with those acquired using classical elasticity measurements.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate the feasibility of Brillouin spectroscopy for vocal fold imaging. With more extensive research, this technique may provide noninvasive objective assessment of vocal fold mucosal pliability toward objective diagnoses and more targeted treatments.
Silicon optoelectronics devices have been well explored in the near-IR regime with emphasis on telecom applications. In the mid-IR regime, group IV optoelectronic devices (silicon and/or germanium based) could one day serve as waveguides, nonlinear media for χ(2) and χ(3) wave mixing, and highly adaptable platforms for low cost, lab-on-chip chemical and biological sensors. However, nonlinear optical absorption in these materials limit potential applications. In this report, we observe dramatic decreases in transmission in silicon and germanium at middle-infrared wavelengths when utilizing intense (~ 10 GW/cm2) 100 fs pulses. We suggest potential mechanisms to explain the observed nonlinear effects and describe future experiments to decouple high order multiphoton absorption, electron-hole pair generation and light-dopant interactions which might contribute to observed effects.
Cancer related deaths remain among the most common in the US with laryngeal cancer being among the most complicated to diagnose and treat. Most cancers in the larynx begin on the mucosal surface which yields cell morphology and biomechanical changes. Existing techniques that allow elastic properties measurements are incapable of achieving this goal in vivo. The main objective of a present study is to evaluate viability of Brillouin microscpectroscopy application to in vivo differentiation of various tissue types inside the larynx based on elasticity measurements. Here we are reporting successful application of Brillouin spectroscopy to characterization of postmortem porcine larynx’ Inferior Vocal Fold, Superior Vocal Fold, and Supraglottal Wall regions. Acquired data correlated well with previously reported results, indicating viability of Brillouin spectroscopy application to in vivo tissue imaging, morphological and mechanical characterization as a substitute for tissue biopsy.
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