High-resolution miniprobe-based confocal microscopy in combination with video mosaicing (with video).
BACKGROUND
A new portable confocal laser microscopy system has recently been developed.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to evaluate the feasibility of performing real-time microscopic imaging with a prototype of a new high-resolution miniprobe in conjunction with a video mosaicing algorithm.


METHODS
Feasibility study.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center at a large university hospital.


METHODS
Seven patients referred for endoscopy for various indications.


METHODS
High-resolution laser microscopy of the upper and lower GI tract was performed with standard endoscopes. Seven to 10 mL of 1% fluorescein was injected intravenously a few seconds before the procedure. No additional preparation was required. The prototype used has a lateral resolution of 1.2 microm and an axial resolution of 3 mum with a total field of 240 x 200 microm. From all stored video sequences a video mosaicing algorithm was used to combine the successive individual images, cancel motion artifacts, and reconstitute panoramas of the tissues.


RESULTS
Cell-to-cell borders, single cell structures, and mucosal inflammation was readily detectable. By the use of the mosaicing algorithm, the image area could be increased 2- to 4-fold, and image definition could be further enhanced to allow finer detail visualization.


CONCLUSIONS
Low number of patients, early feasibility study.


CONCLUSIONS
Our preliminary data show that high-resolution miniprobe-based confocal fluorescence microscopy in conjunction with video mosaicing has the potential to provide images similar to standard histopathologic studies. Dynamic images with a smaller field of view can be combined to reconstruct still images of high resolution covering a fairly large area.
Becker
Valentin
V
II Department of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Vercauteren
Tom
T
von Weyhern
Claus Hann
CH
Prinz
Christian
C
Schmid
Roland M
RM
Meining
Alexander
A
D000465:Algorithms; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D018715:Microscopy, Video / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology