The detection of thermoelastic displacement by differential phase optical coherence tomography (DP-OCT) was analytically evaluated for identifying atherosclerotic plaques. Analytical solutions were developed to understand the dynamics of physical distribution of point hear sources during/after laser irradiation on thermoelastic responses of MION-injected tissue. Both analytical and experimental results demonstrated a delayed peak displacement along with slow decay after laser pulse due to heterogeneous distribution of the point heat sources. Detailed description of the heat sources in tissue as well as integration of a scanning mirror can improve computational accuracy as well as clinical applicability of DP-OCT for diagnosing vulnerable plaque.

Recent studies suggest that cavitation effect following laser induced vapor bubble collapse is more dominant than the photothermal effect in stone ablation during laser lithotripsy. Our research aims to introduce an experimental study design that precisely measures each effect's contribution using gypsum phantom stones. To isolate the cavitation-only mechanism after the collapse of the laser-induced vapor bubble, a phantom stone was submerged in a dye solution. The dye solution absorbed all laser light, generating cavitation, with additional experiments confirming the absence of any photothermal effect when the dye was not used. The fiber was positioned both parallel to the stone surface and perpendicular at a 1mm distance, exposing it solely to cavitation. In another set of experiments, a phantom stone was submerged in water and 2μm light from a thulium yttrium aluminum garnet (Tm:YAG) laser was delivered via the same optical fiber positioned (this time) perpendicular to the stone surface. In this case, both optical absorption and cavitation effect from laser-induced vapor bubble collapses were observed but the measured pressure transients showed significantly lower peak pressures compared to the first set. In a final set of experiments, these conditions remained constant, except the fiber was positioned parallel to the stone surface, once again exposing it to only the cavitation from the collapse of the laser induced vapor bubble. Craters created by all methods were imaged using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. Measured volumes showed that stone ablation was dominated by photo-thermal, and not by cavitation from the vapor bubble collapse. In fact, in two of the three trials of stone experiments (n=5, each trial) that were subjected to cavitation-only, there was no observable ablation. One trial produced an average volume that was 50% smaller than the average resulting from a single photo-thermal-only case (p = 0.0022 < 0.05). Our results suggest that finetuning of lithotripsy procedures with focus on energy transmission to the stone can provide optimal results.

Many drugs have progressed through preclinical and clinical trials and have been available - for years in some cases - before being recalled by the FDA for unanticipated toxicity in humans. One reason for such poor translation from drug candidate to successful use is a lack of model systems that accurately recapitulate normal tissue function of human organs and their response to drug compounds. Moreover, tissues in the body do not exist in isolation, but reside in a highly integrated and dynamically interactive environment, in which actions in one tissue can affect other downstream tissues. Few engineered model systems, including the growing variety of organoid and organ-on-a-chip platforms, have so far reflected the interactive nature of the human body. To address this challenge, we have developed an assortment of bioengineered tissue organoids and tissue constructs that are integrated in a closed circulatory perfusion system, facilitating inter-organ responses. We describe a three-tissue organ-on-a-chip system, comprised of liver, heart, and lung, and highlight examples of inter-organ responses to drug administration. We observe drug responses that depend on inter-tissue interaction, illustrating the value of multiple tissue integration for in vitro study of both the efficacy of and side effects associated with candidate drugs.

Long-range optical coherence tomography has been developed to image the upper airway, obtaining high resolution, cross-sectional images of the hollow structure. The information obtained from the anatomical structure of the airway is important to objectively identify regions of airway obstruction. This paper describes a technique to create 3D reconstructions of the upper airway from LR-OCT images. Herein we outline the necessary steps to generate these 3D models, including image processing techniques, manual tissue segmentation in Mimics, anatomical curvature bending, and the final STL model rendition. These 3D models were used to qualitatively analyze structural changes before and after surgical interventions. The reconstructions could also be used for further computational fluid dynamics analysis.

Acquired subglottic stenosis is a narrowing of the airway caused by prolonged endotracheal intubation. Currently, there are no non-invasive means to diagnose the disease. A previous study by this same group introduced optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a means of monitoring the progression of stenosis. The aim of the current study was to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze OCT images obtained from a subglottic stenosis model of the rabbit airway. 15 rabbits were used throughout the study, and a MEMs based OCT probe was utilized. The OCT images obtained were analyzed using a free software program, 3D Slicer. The region of scarred tissue was grown out and measured quantitatively. This study demonstrated the feasibility of using a program to quantify the progression of scarring in OCT images, in addition to qualitatively correlating between histology, endoscopic, and OCT images. Future works may include utilization of a long-range probe and use of a pressure necrosis model to better emulate the actual onset of neonatal subglottic stenosis. © 2013 SPIE.

In neonatal and pediatric patients who require long-term endotracheal intubation, the subglottic mucosa is most susceptible to injury from the endotracheal tube. At present, there is no diagnostic modality to identify early signs of subglottic mucosal pathology. Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) is a minimally-invasive imaging modality which acquires high-resolution, 3D cross-sectional images of biological tissue. FD-OCT of the neonatal and pediatric airways was conducted to evaluate subglottic microanatomy and histopathologic changes associated with prolonged intubation. FD-OCT of the larynx, subglottis and proximal trachea was conducted in pediatric and neonatal patients. OCT image sets were analyzed by anatomic categorization (airway level), tissue segmentation and mucosa micrometry in MATLAB. Subsequently, OCT data sets were rendered into digital 3D airway models in Mimics software. We report original methods for subglottic OCT image processing and analysis.

Background and Objective: Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging (SFDI) is a non-contact wide-field optical imaging technology currently being developed to investigate the feasibility of quantitative non-invasive evaluation of burn wound severity in a rat model. Our objective is to determine the potential of SFDI for mapping quantitative changes in spatially resolved tissue oxygen saturation and water concentration may be indicative of burn wound severity, healing, and further complications. In this portion of the investigation, we focus on the development of a rat burn model and the acute response of tissue to burn wounds. Study Design/Materials and Methods: A controlled burn protocol involving a heated brass comb was applied to 6 rats. Imaging was acquired at 17 evenly spaced wavelengths in the near-infrared from 650 to 970 nm. Over the course of the 3 hour post-burn period, we were able to map quantitative changes in spatially resolved chromophores. Burn severities were verified post-experiment using standard H and E histology and optical microscopy. Results/Conclusion: In total, we were able to induce 12 superficial-partial thickness burns, 8 deep-partial thickness burns, and 4 full thickness burns in our rat models. While several tissue chromophores were tracked, we found that changes in oxygen saturation and water concentration to be sensitive indicators of burn severity. Future work will include additional longitudinal studies over a period of days in order to investigate which parameters are correlated to tissue healing. © 2013 SPIE.