title: In vivo correlation mapping microscopy.
abstract: To facilitate regular assessment of the microcirculation in vivo, noninvasive imaging techniques such as nailfold capillaroscopy are required in clinics. Recently, a correlation mapping technique has been applied to optical coherence tomography (OCT), which extends the capabilities of OCT to microcirculation morphology imaging. This technique, known as correlation mapping optical coherence tomography, has been shown to extract parameters, such as capillary density and vessel diameter, and key clinical markers associated with early changes in microvascular diseases. However, OCT has limited spatial resolution in both the transverse and depth directions. Here, we extend this correlation mapping technique to other microscopy modalities, including confocal microscopy, and take advantage of the higher spatial resolution offered by these modalities. The technique is achieved as a processing step on microscopy images and does not require any modification to the microscope hardware. Results are presented which show that this correlation mapping microscopy technique can extend the capabilities of conventional microscopy to enable mapping of vascular networks in vivo with high spatial resolution in both the transverse and depth directions.
authors.affiliation: National University of Ireland Galway, Tissue Optics and Microcirculation Imaging Group, National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, Physics Department, University Road, Newcastle, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.affiliation: National University of Ireland Galway, Tissue Optics and Microcirculation Imaging Group, National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, Physics Department, University Road, Newcastle, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland.
authors.forename: Sergey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alexandrov
authors.affiliation: National University of Ireland Galway, Centre for Microscopy and Imaging, University Road, Newcastle, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.affiliation: National University of Ireland Galway, Tissue Optics and Microcirculation Imaging Group, National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, Physics Department, University Road, Newcastle, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland.
authors.forename: Hrebesh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Subhash
authors.affiliation: National University of Ireland Galway, Tissue Optics and Microcirculation Imaging Group, National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, Physics Department, University Road, Newcastle, Galway H91 TK33, IrelandcRCSI Royal College of Surgeons, 123 St. Stephens.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leahy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging