Invention:
This invention is a new way to apply adaptive optics principles to image properties of biological cells. This method uses multi-spectral digital holographic imaging and random phase masks to extract phase maps comparable to maps from traditional quantitative phase imaging (QPI) optical systems though with less complication and expense. This method provides a fast, low-cost method for acquiring detailed multi-spectral data for cell objects.
Background:
Imaging biological cells and tissues is central to research and medical diagnosis, and imaging tissues requires contrast to distinguish areas of interest from the background. In the past, use of dye or other form of staining or tagging structures was necessary to achieve sufficient contrast but this contrast data was qualitative rather than quantitative. Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) emerged as a method to create a phase map of the sample to indicate refractive / optical path differences through tissue structure. Digital holography captures both phase and amplitude data from interference of reference and object waves, but phase maps do not separate tissue physical thickness differences from refractive differences. Instead, use of multiwavelength digital holography can provide quantitative 3D color images and dispersion information.
Applications:
- Health research
- Biological imaging
- Cell and tissue imaging
Advantages:
- Faster and more accurate
- Lower cost than current methods
