Implantable fluorescence sensor for continuous molecular monitoring in live animals
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- Molecular imaging is an established technique used to visualize and quantify functional information about biological processes in living systems. In vivo fluorescence imaging, in particular, is a molecular imaging technique capable of quantitatively imaging one or more fluorophores at high spatial and temporal resolution with high sensitivity, either at microscopic or macroscopic (whole-body) scales. While current fluorescent imaging technologies have led to key advances in the understanding of biology and biochemistry, there are limitations. Modern in vivo fluorescence imagers are bulky, and typically take snapshots, and only sample discrete points of continuous, dynamic processes. In order to overcome these obstacles and enable long-term, continuous fluorescence imaging in live animals, we have miniaturized the components of the optical imaging system, allowing for direct implantation. Miniature fluorescence sensors have been fabricated to match a particular fluorescent probe utilizing semiconductor processing technology and appropriate materials. We present the design and fabrication of a monolithically integrated semiconductor (GaAs-based) sensor for far-red to near infrared (NIR) in vivo fluorescence sensing. The sensor incorporates three basic components of a fluorescence system, including: a 675nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) excitation source, a GaAs PIN photodiode, and a fluorescence emission filter. We have packaged the sensors in several integrated configurations, and developed readout mechanisms that include a system that can be implanted in small rodents. We have utilized this device to demonstrate that in vivo fluorescence imaging is possible with miniaturized, un-cooled semiconductor devices, including a demonstration of sensing in a freely-moving rodent. Such miniaturized, implantable biomedical devices have the potential to accelerate pre-clinical research and revolutionize clinical care by providing an inexpensive means for diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating long-term treatment efficacy. By integrating this implantable sensor with the appropriate read-out electronics and wireless telemetry, un-tethered operation can ultimately be achieved.
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Form | electronic; electronic resource; remote |
| Extent | 1 online resource. |
| Copyright date | 2011 |
| Publication date | 2010, c2011; 2010 |
| Issuance | monographic |
| Language | English |
Creators/Contributors
| Associated with | O'Sullivan, Thomas Daniel |
|---|---|
| Associated with | Stanford University, Department of Electrical Engineering |
| Primary advisor | Harris, J. S. (James Stewart), 1942- |
| Thesis advisor | Harris, J. S. (James Stewart), 1942- |
| Thesis advisor | Gambhir, Sanjiv Sam |
| Thesis advisor | Levi, Ofer, 1966- |
| Advisor | Gambhir, Sanjiv Sam |
| Advisor | Levi, Ofer, 1966- |
Subjects
| Genre | Theses |
|---|
Bibliographic information
| Statement of responsibility | Thomas Daniel O'Sullivan. |
|---|---|
| Note | Submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering. |
| Thesis | Thesis (Ph.D.)--Stanford University, 2011. |
| Location | electronic resource |
Access conditions
- Copyright
- © 2011 by Thomas Daniel O'Sullivan
- License
- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC).
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