title: A new fiber optic probe for cellular visualization.
abstract: Thrombus formation within artificial organs has been shown, at least in part, to be caused by retarded or stagnant blood flow. The goal of this work was to develop a magnifying fiber optic probe capable of visualizing particle flow and cellular deposition in a physiologically relevant cellular suspension (blood). The probe has minimal cross sectional area to allow for access to confined areas and to minimize flow disturbance. The probe consists of a germanium oxide fiber optic bundle and a gradient index imaging lens. Fluorescent microspheres of 48 microns, 7 microns, and 3 microns in diameter were imaged after deposition on to a cover slip. The flow (1.44 mm/sec) of 3 microns microspheres suspended in buffer alone and with red cell hematocrits of 10%, 25% and 45% were also visualized. To investigate the potential for this probe to detect ongoing thrombosis, fluorescently labeled human platelets were observed depositing on surfaces from a stagnant platelet rich buffer. These initial data suggest that this probe may offer a technique for the visualization of blood cell adhesion on the interior of artificial organs and the local quantification of flow in such devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Schaub
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Borovetz
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D001187:Artificial Organs / Q000009:adverse effects; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000166:cytology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006400:Hematocrit; D018056:Hemorheology / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008863:Microspheres; D055100:Optical Fibers; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness; D012996:Solutions; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions