University of Houston System

David Mayerich

Jason Eriksen

Milling with ultraviolet excitation (MUVE) realizes high-throughput multiplex imaging of large three-dimensional samples. The instrumentation may comprise a UV-source attachment, precision stage attachment, and/or a blade assembly, and the instrumentation may overcome several constraints inherent to current state-of-the-art three-dimensional microscopy. MUVE offers throughput that is orders of magnitude faster than other technology by collecting a two-dimensional array of pixels simultaneously. The proposed instrumentation also utilizes serial ablation and provides the opportunity for true whole-organ imaging at microscopic resolution.

Milling with ultraviolet excitation

Imaging systems and methods, referred to herein as surface ablation lathe tomography (SALT), may be capable of providing whole organ tomography to provide 3D imaging. The system may provide a UV source that excites a sample, and a camera may capture imaging of fluorescent emission cause by the excitation. The tissue sample may be treated or stained with an imaging agent, such as fluorescent markers with fluorescently-tagged antibodies. The sample may also be infused with and/or embedded in paraffin wax. The tissue sample embedded in paraffin may be placed on a rotating mechanism that rotates, while the UV source excites a desired region and the camera captures imaging of a thin surface layer or shell of the sample. The system may also provide an ablation mechanism, such as a microtome blade or lathe, to ablate surface of the sample during rotation to allow imaging of subsequent layers of the sample. Once the sample has been fully imaged, aD map of the tissue sample, which may be an entire organ, can be provided.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

David Mayerich