Dr. Kai Licha Profile

Dr. Kai Licha

Managing Director at FEW Chemicals GmbH

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Publications (19)

Proceedings Article | 9 August 2023 Paper

Short and long-term photostability of 3D printed fluorescent phantoms for near-infrared diffuse optical imaging

Sandra Schädel-Ebner, Ole Hirsch, Thomas Gladytz, Dirk Gutkelch, Kai Licha, Jörn Berger, Dirk Grosenick

Proceedings Volume 12628, 126281A (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2670658

KEYWORDS: 3D printing, Diffuse optical imaging, 3D image processing, Fluorescence, Dyes, Printing, Materials properties, Imaging systems, Fluorescence imaging, Diseases and disorders

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SPIE Journal Paper | 16 June 2022 Open Access

3D-printed tissue-simulating phantoms for near-infrared fluorescence imaging of rheumatoid diseases

Sandra Schädel-Ebner, Ole Hirsch, Thomas Gladytz, Dirk Gutkelch, Kai Licha, Jörn Berger, Dirk Grosenick

JBO, Vol. 27, Issue 07, 074702, (June 2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JBO.27.7.074702

KEYWORDS: Luminescence, Absorption, Tissues, Scattering, Printing, 3D printing, Imaging systems, 3D modeling, Light scattering, Solids

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Significance: Fluorescence imaging of rheumatoid diseases with indocyanine green (ICG) is an emerging technique with unique potential for diagnosis and therapy. Device characterization, monitoring of the performance, and further developments of the technique require tissue-equivalent fluorescent phantoms of high stability with appropriate anatomical shapes. Aim: Our investigations aim at the development of a three-dimensional (3D) printing technique to fabricate hand and finger models with appropriate optical properties in the near-infrared spectral range. These phantoms should have fluorescence properties similar to ICG, and excellent photostability and durability over years. Approach: We modified a 3D printing methacrylate photopolymer by adding the fluorescent dye Lumogen IR 765 to the raw material. Reduced scattering and absorption coefficients were adjusted to values representative of the human hand by incorporating titanium dioxide powder and black ink. The properties of printed phantoms of various compositions were characterized using UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, and time-resolved measurements. Photostability and bleaching were investigated with a hand imager. For comparison, several phantoms with ICG as fluorescent dye were printed and characterized as well. Results: The spectral properties of Lumogen IR 765 are very similar to those of ICG. By optimizing the concentrations of Lumogen, titanium dioxide, and ink, anatomically shaped hand and vessel models with properties equivalent to in vivo investigations with a fluorescence hand imager could be printed. Phantoms with Lumogen IR 765 had an excellent photostability over up to 4 years. In contrast, phantoms printed with ICG showed significant bleaching and degradation of fluorescence over time. Conclusions: 3D printing of phantoms with Lumogen IR 765 is a promising method for fabricating anatomically shaped fluorescent tissue models of excellent stability with spectral properties similar to ICG. The phantoms are well-suited to monitor the performance of hand imagers. Concepts can easily be transferred to other fluorescence imaging applications of ICG.

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SPIE Journal Paper | 1 October 2012 Open Access

Near-infrared fluorescence imaging of experimentally collagen-induced arthritis in rats using the nonspecific dye tetrasulfocyanine in comparison with gadolinium-based contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, histology, and clinical score

Ines Gemeinhardt, Dorothee Puls, Ole Gemeinhardt, Matthias Taupitz, Susanne Wagner, Beatrix Schnorr, Kai Licha, Michael Schirner, Bernd Ebert, Diethard Petzelt, Rainer Macdonald, Jörg Schnorr

JBO, Vol. 17, Issue 10, 106008, (October 2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JBO.17.10.106008

KEYWORDS: Magnetic resonance imaging, Luminescence, Collagen, Signal to noise ratio, Inflammation, Animal model studies, Statistical analysis, Plasma, Absorption, Imaging systems

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SPIE Journal Paper | 1 June 2011 Open Access

Cyanine dyes as contrast agents for near-infrared imaging in vivo: acute tolerance, pharmacokinetics, and fluorescence imaging

Bernd Ebert, Uwe Sukowski, Bjoern Riefke, Kai Licha

JBO, Vol. 16, Issue 06, 066003, (June 2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.3585678

KEYWORDS: Tumors, Luminescence, In vivo imaging, Plasma, Tissues, Magnesium, Tolerancing, Breast, Tissue optics, Mammography

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Proceedings Article | 18 July 2007 Paper

Fluorescence imaging of experimental rheumatoid arthritis in vivo using a fast flying-spot scanner

J. Berger, J. Voigt, F. Seifert, B. Ebert, R. Macdonald, I. Gemeinhardt, O. Gemeinhardt, J. Schnorr, M. Taupitz, A. Vater, S. Vollmer, K. Licha, M. Schirner

Proceedings Volume 6631, 66310U (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.728307

KEYWORDS: Luminescence, Scanners, Imaging systems, Magnetic resonance imaging, In vivo imaging, Scattering, Near infrared, Spatial resolution, Animal model studies, Head

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Proceedings Article | 7 February 2007 Paper

Image reconstruction and evaluation of system performance for optical fluorescence tomography

Tim Nielsen, Bernhard Brendel, Thomas Koehler, Ronny Ziegler, Andy Ziegler, Leon Bakker, Michiel van Beek, Martin van der Mark, Marjolein van der Voort, Rik Harbers, Kai Licha, Martin Pessel, F. Schippers, J. Meeuwse, Andrea Feuerabend, Dirk van Pijkeren, Sjaak Deckers

Proceedings Volume 6431, 643108 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.715067

KEYWORDS: Breast, Luminescence, Reconstruction algorithms, Image restoration, Optical fibers, Absorption, Interference (communication), Sensors, Diffuse optical tomography, Scattering

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SPIE Journal Paper | 1 July 2005 Open Access

Optical molecular imaging of lymph nodes using a targeted vascular contrast agent

Kai Licha, N. Debus, S. Emig-Vollmer, B. Hofmann, M. Hasbach, D. Stibenz, S. Sydow, Michael Schirner, Bernd Ebert, Diethard Petzelt, C. Bührer, W. Semmler, R. Tauber

JBO, Vol. 10, Issue 04, 041205, (July 2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.2007967

KEYWORDS: Lymphatic system, Luminescence, Tissues, Molecular imaging, In vivo imaging, Tissue optics, Biomedical optics, Signal detection, Absorption, Target detection

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SPIE Journal Paper | 1 April 2001 Open Access

Near-infrared fluorescent dyes for enhanced contrast in optical mammography: phantom experiments

Bernd Ebert, Uwe Sukowski, Dirk Grosenick, Heidrun Wabnitz, K. Moesta, Kai Licha, Andreas Becker, Wolfhard Semmler, Peter Schlag, Herbert Rinneberg

JBO, Vol. 6, Issue 02, (April 2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.1350561

KEYWORDS: Luminescence, Tumors, Scattering, Tissues, Photons, Absorption, Tissue optics, Breast, Mammography, Modulation

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SPIE Journal Paper | 1 April 2001 Open Access

Advances in contrast agents, reporters, and detection

Darryl Bornhop, Christopher Contag, Kai Licha, Catherine Murphy

JBO, Vol. 6, Issue 02, (April 2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.1360394

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Proceedings Article | 26 April 2000 Paper

Novel receptor-targeted contrast agents for optical imaging of tumors

Andreas Becker, Carsten Hessenius, Sarah Bhargava, Bernd Ebert, Uwe Sukowski, Herbert Rinneberg, Bertram Wiedenmann, Wolfhard Semmler, Kai Licha

Proceedings Volume 3924, (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.384238

KEYWORDS: Tumors, Receptors, Luminescence, Optical imaging, Breast, In vivo imaging, Diagnostics, Target detection, In vitro testing, Plasma

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Proceedings Article | 26 April 2000 Paper

Design of fluorescence dye-conjugated peptides for the receptor-targeted optical imaging of tumors using solid-phase peptide libraries

Kai Licha, Sarah Bhargava, Andreas Becker, Carsten Hessenius, Jens Schneider-Mergener, Rudolph Volkmer-Engert

Proceedings Volume 3924, (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.384237

KEYWORDS: Solids, Sodium, Luminescence, Optical imaging, Diagnostics, Tumors, Absorption, Molecules, Biomedical optics, Fluorescent markers

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Proceedings Article | 2 July 1999 Paper

New contrast agents for optical imaging: acid-cleavable conjugates of cyanine dyes with biomolecules

Kai Licha, Andreas Becker, Frank Kratz, Wolfhard Semmler

Proceedings Volume 3600, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.351013

KEYWORDS: Luminescence, Proteins, Tumors, Absorption, Quantum efficiency, Optical imaging, Tissue optics, Fluorescence spectroscopy, Signal detection, In vivo imaging

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Proceedings Article | 2 July 1999 Paper

Transferrin-mediated tumor delivery of contrast media for optical imaging and magnetic resonance imaging

Andreas Becker, Kai Licha, Mayk Kresse, Bjoern Riefke, Uwe Sukowski, Bernd Ebert, Herbert Rinneberg, Wolfhard Semmler

Proceedings Volume 3600, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.351024

KEYWORDS: Tumors, Magnetic resonance imaging, Luminescence, Receptors, Iron, Optical imaging, In vivo imaging, Particles, Oxides, In vitro testing

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Proceedings Article | 19 January 1999 Paper

Localization of near-infrared contrast agents in tumors by intravital microscopy

Andreas Becker, Guenther Schneider, Bjoern Riefke, Kai Licha, Wolfhard Semmler

Proceedings Volume 3568, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.336824

KEYWORDS: Tumors, Tissues, Luminescence, Microscopy, Signal detection, In vivo imaging, Indocyanine green, Plasma, Near infrared, Fluorescence spectroscopy

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Proceedings Article | 30 December 1998 Paper

In-vivo characterization of tissue efflux rates of cyanine dyes by near-infrared spectroscopy

Kai Licha, Vasilis Ntziachristos, Bjoern Riefke, Andreas Becker, Britton Chance, Wolfhard Semmler

Proceedings Volume 3566, (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.334359

KEYWORDS: Tumors, Absorption, Tissues, Tissue optics, Mammography, In vivo imaging, Near infrared spectroscopy, Indocyanine green, Plasma, Absorbance

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Proceedings Article | 13 January 1998 Paper

Tumor detection with cyanine dye poly(ethylene glycol) conjugates as contrast agents for near-infrared imaging

Bjoern Riefke, Kai Licha, Dirk Nolte, Bernd Ebert, Herbert Rinneberg, Wolfhard Semmler

Proceedings Volume 3196, (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.297924

KEYWORDS: Tumors, Luminescence, Tissues, Tumor growth modeling, Solid state lasers, Imaging systems, Laser systems engineering, CCD cameras, Visualization, Blood vessels

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