Multimodal infrared fluorescence endoscopy with 3D reconstruction

The gastrointestinal tract is one of the major sites of immunological challenges in biology. Therefore its study is very necessary for a better understanding of the biological processes that take place, in order to be used in the study of colon diseases such as colonic polyps, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome or colon cancer. In vivo studies of small animals are key to improving human diagnosis. Despite the importance of clinical trials, they have many limitations such as in vivo imaging, which allows better understanding of biology and diseases. In vivo imaging is consider visual representation, characterization, and quantification of biological processes at the cellular and subcellular levels within intact living organisms. But not all the imaging techniques have good resolution so the research of develop better high resolution techniques enhances biological studies. so this project is trying to increase resolution and acquisition efficiency of colon imaging. Based on in vivo imaging of small animals, the aim of this work is the image acquisition, and image processing of a multimodal infrared fluorescence endoscopy. This endoscope consists on two cameras: one of white light and the other of infrared light; that allow fluorescence imaging, giving a lot of information of the sample, such as the detection of cancer markers. A separate scanning confocal unit, that enables of cellular examinations of the colon, part of other bachelor's degree thesis of Isabel Martin Civiac. Image acquisition is based on a motorized bed for the sample, allowing slowly control insertion of the endoscope into the sample. With respect to image processing, the obtained images are reconstructed to give 3D images with respect the depth to offer full 3D information. Ingeniería Biomédica