Design of an in-vivo multi-spectral confocal microendoscope for clinical trials

We previously reported on the development and testing of a multi-spectral confocal microendoscope. Here we present a new system that will be used during an early stage clinical trial. The new microendoscope is significantly smaller, uses fewer optical elements, and is structurally more robust. The slit-scanning confocal system employs two synchronized single-axes scan mirrors and an externally coupled imaging catheter with automated focus control and dye delivery systems. In grayscale collection mode the confocal microendoscope operates at 30 frames-per-second with 3μm lateral resolution and 25μm axial resolution. The multi-spectral collection mode operates at 0.5 frames-per-second when acquiring 32 spectral channels with an average minimum resolvable wavelength difference of 12nm. The system will be used, in grayscale mode, to image ovaries during a small scale clinical trial on women undergoing oophorectomy. Recent grayscale and multi-spectral imaging results from ex-vivo human tissues are presented.