Sub-diffraction Integration and Non-invasive Manipulation by Nanophotonics

Xingde Li
UW Bioengineering

The past few years have witnessed rapid development of biophotonic imaging technologies that begin to exhibit great potential for basic biomedical and bedside clinical applications. Examples include optical coherence tomography (OCT), diffuse-photon based fluorescence tomography, and non-linear microscopy. Those techniques evolved from the basic physics principles of interferometry, light scattering, ultrafast and non-linear optics.  In this presentation, we will report our recent progress on developing these biophotonic technologies. Significant emphasis has been placed on integration of basic physics principles with engineering innovation in order to translate those technologies from bench-top research into biomedically/clinically viable forms.  In particular, we will discuss the development of (1) a new generation, focus-tracking enabled, endoscopic OCT imaging technology for imaging tissue microanatomy of internal organs; (2) a miniature scanning microscope (of a 2.4 mm diameter) that makes it potentially possible to perform in vivo two-photon fluorescence imaging in a clinical setting, (3) SHG endo-microscopy for assessing tissue collagen network; and (4) a diffuse-photon based fluorescence tomography system for whole-body molecular imaging of small animals. Some exemplary applications of these biophotonic imaging technologies will also be discussed, including detection of diseases at early curable stages, monitoring therapeutic effects and guidance of surgical interventions.