Fluorescence fibre-optic confocal microscopy of skin in vivo: microscope and fluorophores.
OBJECTIVE
Fibre-optic confocal imaging in vivo is a new approach in the assessment of human skin. The objective is to describe a novel instrument and its operation and use in combination with fluorophores.


METHODS
The Stratum is a fibre-optic fluorescence confocal microscope especially developed for the study of skin and mucous membranes. The system is flexible and any body site can be studied with a hand-held scanner. The light source is a 488 nm argon ion laser. Horizontal (en face) images of the epidermis and outer dermis are produced with cellular resolution. Magnification is approximately 1000 x . Fluorescein sodium is routinely used as fluorophore (intradermal injection or application to the skin surface). This fluorophore is safe for human use in vivo, but other substances (rhodamine B, Acridine Orange, green fluorescent protein, curcumin) have also been studied.


RESULTS
The instrument produces sharp images of epidermal cell layers from the epidermal surface to the sub-papillary dermis, with sub-cellular resolution. The scanner is flexible in use. The technique of intradermal fluorophore injection requires some skill.


CONCLUSIONS
We consider this fibre-optic instrument a potentially important tool in skin research for non-invasive optical biopsy of primarily the epidermis. Present use is focussed on research applications, where the fluorophore distribution in the skin may illustrate morphological changes in the epidermis.
Suihko
Christian
C
Department of Dermatology, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. chrsu390@student.liu.se
Swindle
Lucinda D
LD
Thomas
Steven G
SG
Serup
Jørgen
J
D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes