Combined in vivo multiphoton and CARS imaging of healthy and disease‐affected human skin

Abstract

We present combined epi-coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and multiphoton imaging with both chemical discrimination and subcellular resolution on human skin in vivo. The combination of both image modalities enables label-free imaging of the autofluorescence of endogenous fluorophores by two-photon excited fluorescence, as well as imaging of the distribution of intercellular lipids, topically applied substances and water by CARS. As an example for medical imaging, we investigated healthy and psoriasis-affected human skin with both image modalities in vivo and found indications for different lipid distributions on the cellular level.

Three‐dimensional multiphoton/optical coherence tomography for diagnostic applications in dermatology

“…A MPT/confocal laser scanning microscopy system was used to investigate various dermatological diseases such as actinic keratosis and stucco keratosis [51]. Similarly, clinical trials using OCT in combination with imaging techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy, photoacoustic tomography and fluorescence spectroscopy has been demonstrated and these multimodal systems were able to provide complimentary structural and functional information [52][53][54][55]. Recently, a multimodal optical microscope incorporating OCM, MPT and FLIM have been designed and developed to obtain images of human skin in vivo [56].…”

Beyond the borders — Biomedical applications of non-linear Raman microscopy

“…The high imaging speed of CARS microscopy has recently also been exploited to monitor structural changes of sebaceous glands during sebum secretion [129]. In order to compare healthy skin and pathological changes, a number of experiments have been performed mapping skin with multimodal approaches including CARS microscopy [129][130][131][132]. Another example for lipid rich structures which are well suited for non-linear Raman imaging are atherosclerotic deposits.…”

Achromatic miniature lens system for coherent Raman scattering microscopy

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7] In addition, a potential to examine structures and topically applied drugs in skin in vivo has been shown. [8][9][10] Such studies underline the clinical potential of CRS microscopy. However, the practical translation of CRS techniques into a clinical setting is accompanied by several technological challenges.…”