Fuorescence lifetime micro-endoscopy (FLIMME) via single multimode fiber: a high-resolution tool for identifying head and neck cancer margins
We present a minimally invasive endomicroscope that performs frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime imaging (FD-FLIM) through a single multimode fiber (MMF), enabling quantitative metabolic contrast at microscopic resolution. The system, termed FLIMME, uses amplitude-modulated 405 nm excitation and lock-in detection to map endogenous fluorophores (NADH, FAD) with temporal accuracy of ±0.03 ns and lifetime resolution down to 0.5 ns. Validation with reference dyes shows excellent agreement with a commercial time-domain FLIM microscope. Ex vivo murine submandibular gland imaging demonstrates label-free visualization of tissue microstructure and metabolic heterogeneity. FLIMME bridges advanced photonics and translational oncology. Its ultrathin, needle-like design allows insertion into surgical sites for potential real-time metabolic imaging of tumor margins.
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Fay, V., Pu, Y., Tzang, O., Caravaca, A., Piestun, R., Tolstonog, G., Simon, C., Psaltis, D., & Moser, C. (2026). Fuorescence lifetime micro-endoscopy (FLIMME) via single multimode fiber: a high-resolution tool for identifying head and neck cancer margins. In J. Popp & C. Gergely (Editors), Biomedical Spectroscopy, Microscopy, and Imaging IV. Biomedical Spectroscopy, Microscopy, and Imaging IV, Strasbourg, France, April 12, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3099479
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École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China
Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China
University of Colorado Boulder
Union for International Cancer Control
Union for International Cancer Control
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
2026-05-29
Proceedings; PC14094
44
REVIEWED
EPFL
| Event name | Event acronym | Event place | Event date |
Strasbourg, France | 2026-04-12 - 2026-04-17 | ||