Imaging and characterization of bioengineered blood vessels within a bioreactor using free‐space and catheter‐based OCT

Abstract

This study suggests that combination of free-space and catheter-based OCT for blood vessel imaging provides accurate structural information of the developing blood vessel. We determined that free-space OCT images could be co-registered with catheter-based OCT images to monitor structural features such as wall thickness or delamination of the developing tissue-engineered blood vessel within a bioreactor. Structural parameters and optical properties obtained from OCT imaging correlate with histological sections of the blood vessel and could potentially be used as markers to non-invasively and non-destructively assess regeneration of engineered tissues in real time.

Dynamic Assessment of the Endothelialization of Tissue-Engineered Blood Vessels Using an Optical Coherence Tomography Catheter-Based Fluorescence Imaging System

“…We recently demonstrated the ability of OCT to image a developing tissue-engineered blood vessel within a bioreactor using either free-space OCT imaging or a vascular OCT endoscope. 19 We were able to observe changes in the wall thickness and optical properties of the vessel over 4 weeks. However, one of the major limitations of OCT is its inability to extract cellular and molecular signatures specifically and sensitively.…”

“…Control images of the same regions were also obtained with the Leica fluorescence microscope. The media was replaced every 24 h. A tubular bioreactor as described earlier 19 was used for EC imaging of tubular PDLLA scaffolds. Short segments (*1 cm) of thin fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) tube (OD = 3 mm) were glued to the two ends of the PDLLA scaffolds using medical-grade silicone adhesive (Silastic medical adhesive type A; Dow Corning Corp.).…”

“…To image vessels with diameter larger than *2 mm, the entire vessel may be rotated around a stationary catheter, as our group previously demonstrated. 19 …”

Bioengineered blood vessels

“…MRI can provide cellular-level imaging with the proper labeling but is limited by depth of penetration and the unknown effect of labeling agents [78]. Optical coherence tomography can provide information about ECM changes in vascular graft but is limited in resolution [81]. Optical imaging techniques, including multiphoton imaging [82], two photon and confocal microscopy, have the potential to monitor individual fluorescently labeled cells [83]; however, these techniques have a limited penetration depth, which limits their application in TEBV monitoring.…”

“One-stop shop” spectral imaging for rapid on-site diagnosis of lung cancer: a future concept in nano-oncology

“…44 A vessel catheter with optical coherence tomography has been constructed for accurate evaluation of structural information from developing vessels. 40 In a further study, 18 F-ZW-104, a novel positron emission tomography radioligand, was developed to display central nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in baboons, 59 and the results indicated that this new radioligand could be used in humans to study nicotinic acetylcholine receptors containing the β2 subunit. Further, in a study by Muller et al, 47 a novel optical high resolution system was developed to display adult cardiomyocytes.…”