Technology ID
TAB-4580

Three-dimensional Fluorescence Polarization Excitation via Multiview Imaging

E-Numbers
E-062-2017-0
Lead Inventor
Shroff, Hari (National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB/NIH))
Co-Inventors
Mehta, Shalin (University of Chicago)
Kumar, Abhishek
La Riviere, Patrick (University of Chicago)
Oldenbourg, Rudolf (University of Chicago)
Wu, Yicong (National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB/NIH))
Applications
Software / Apps
Medical Devices
Development Stages
Pre-clinical (in vivo)
Research Products
Research Equipment
Computational models/software
Lead IC
NIBIB

This technology includes a method that extends fluorescence polarization imaging so that the dipole moment of a fluorescent dye may be excited regardless of its 3D orientation. By exciting the dipole from multiple directions, we ensure that excitation may occur even if the dipole is unfavorably oriented along the axial (propagation) axis. If the dye can be rigidly attached to the structure of interest, our method also enables the 3D orientation of the structure to be estimated accurately. This method can be advantageously applied in light-sheet microscopy, where two perpendicular objectives are used to alternately excite and detect fluorescence; each objective optimally excites dipoles oriented in their focal plane, but poorly along the optical axis. By using perpendicular objectives, the excitation may be polarized along the third spatial dimension that is normally poorly accessed with a single objective. Integrating the method into light sheet microscopy also opens the door to 4D polarization analysis with minimal photobleaching and photodamage.

Commercial Applications
The invention adds new capability to fluorescence imaging, potentially any customer that is interested in adding an additional contrast mechanism – 3D orientation – to their capabilities might be interested in this idea.

Competitive Advantages
  • All other fluorescence polarization techniques poorly estimate dipole orientation if there is a significant axial component – restricting polarization analysis to two dimensions. Our technique allows the full 3D orientation of the fluorophore to be estimated.
  • Our method will allow efficient ‘4D’ imaging of polarization, for example, volumetrically and across time.
Licensing Contact: