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Biomedical subjects

Gereon Hüttmann

Publications and source records attributed to Gereon Hüttmann.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Linear optical coherence tomography system with extended measurement range.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) sensors traditionally use scanning optical delay lines with moving parts and a single detector. OCT systems with a linear detector array (linear OCT or L-OCT) are simple and robust, but a detector with approximately 10,000 pixels is needed for an imaging depth of 2mm, which is necessary for most biomedical applications. We present a new optical setup for L-OCT with an increased measurement range. An additional grating performs a reduction of the spatial frequencies of the fringe pattern on the detector without loss in the signal-to-noise ratio, so the signal can be sampled with a minimal number of pixels. The theory for this approach is addressed and the first measurements are presented.

Computer Simulation↗

Fluorescence staining of human ovarian cancer tissue following application of 5-aminolevulinic acid: fluorescence microscopy studies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Application of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) for fluorescence-guided second-look laparoscopy has been shown to be a promising new procedure in the early diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma metastases. However, for assessing the reliability of this method, information on the microscopic distribution of protoporphyrin IX (PP IX) in the tissue is needed. Additionally, the selectivity of PP IX uptake is essential for a potential photodynamic therapy (PDT) of ovarian cancer metastases. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and two patients suffering from fallopian tube carcinoma underwent a laparoscopic second-look procedure 5 hours after the application of ALA. In 17 patients 36 fluorescence-guided biopsies were taken from fluorescing and non-fluorescing tissues for further evaluation. Fluorescence microscopy and digital image processing were utilized to determine the presence of PP IX fluorescence. RESULTS: A specificity of 88% and a sensitivity of 100% with a negative predictive value of 100% and a positive predictive value of 91% were calculated for PP IX fluorescence on a microscopic level as marker for ovarian cancer metastases. CONCLUSIONS: On a microscopic scale, ALA-induced PP IX fluorescence is confined to ovarian cancer tumor tissue sparing stromal tissues.

Aminolevulinic Acid↗

Filtering bleb evaluation with slit-lamp-adapted 1310-nm optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: Investigation of slit-lamp-adapted 1310-nm optical coherence tomography (OCT) as an in vivo imaging device in the postoperative course of glaucoma surgery. METHODS: Postoperative images of filtering blebs and deep sclerectomies and their healing processes were qualitatively evaluated with a slit-lamp-adapted anterior segment OCT (AS-OCT; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) in 28 patients. Ophthalmologic examinations included slit-lamp examination, applanation tonometry, and slit-lamp photography. The OCT scans were qualitatively correlated with the morphologic and functional outcome of the filtering bleb. RESULTS: 1310-nm OCT was able to demonstrate the internal structure and the dimensions of filtering blebs, as well as the scleral flap and the deep sclerectomy location including Descemet membrane. Functioning filtering blebs showed a low OCT signal, small fluid-filled cysts, superficial microcystic layer, and a slack internal texture. High internal reflectivity indicated an earlier scarring of the filtering bleb. Nonfunctioning filtering blebs delivered a high OCT signal, no or few cysts, and a dense internal texture. These different OCT patterns correlated with the clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Slit-lamp-adapted 1310-nm OCT allowed the noncontact observation and documentation of the postoperative healing course of filtering blebs after glaucoma surgery. Internal structures of the filtering bleb and deep sclerectomies could be visualized. Functioning and dysfunctioning filtering blebs delivered different OCT pattern and correlated with the clinical outcome. This could be a new way to assess the postoperative healing process with the possibility of earlier intervention in cases of impending scarring.

Blister↗

Linear optical coherence tomography system with a downconverted fringe pattern.

Linear optical coherence tomography (LOCT) systems are a simple and robust alternative to time-domain optical coherence tomography systems, but a detector with approximately 10(4) pixels is needed for an imaging depth of 2 mm. We present a new system for LOCT with a special mask attached to the image sensor. The mask essentially performs a downconversion of the spatial frequencies by multiplication with a second spatial frequency. This reduces the fringe frequency of the optical coherence tomography signal so that the signal can be sampled with fewer pixels.

Equipment Design↗

Laparoscopic fluorescence detection of ovarian carcinoma metastases using 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current clinical study was to evaluate the in vivo fluorescence detection of ovarian carcinoma metastases in a second-look laparoscopic procedure after intraperitoneally applied 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). METHODS: Five hours before laparoscopic surgery, ALA was applied intraperitoneally via short infusion in a concentration of 30 mg/kg bodyweight in a sterile, 1% solution. Application of ALA resulted in the endogenous production of the fluorescent photosensitizer, protoporphyrin IX (PP IX). The Combilight PDD 5133 system served as a light source, permitting the switch from white light mode to blue light mode to excite the PP IX accumulated in the ovarian tissue specimens. By means of blue light illumination, intraperitoneally located red fluorescent lesions, which were suspected to be metastases, underwent a biopsy. In addition, several biopsy specimens were taken from nonfluorescent areas of the peritoneal cavity. RESULTS: In 13 of 29 patients, ovarian carcinoma was confirmed histologically or cytologically. In 12 of these patients, metastases were visible by red fluorescence. In total, 123 biopsies were performed. Comparison of histologic assessment of the biopsy specimens with the fluorescence detection showed that strong red fluorescence had a sensitivity of 92% for detecting tumor tissue on specimens. In only 2% of all biopsy specimens was endometriosis observed in benign tissue specimens using fluorescence. In four of 13 patients with ovarian carcinoma, lesions were detected under fluorescence, which were not observed under white light illumination. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic fluorescence detection of endogenous PP IX after intraperitoneal application of ALA may provide a higher sensitivity of finding peritoneal metastases of epithelian ovarian carcinoma compared with conventional laparoscopy. Direct visualization of in vivo fluorescence after ALA application may improve the early detection of intraperitoneal ovarian carcinoma micrometastases. The high tissue selectivity of PP IX accumulation in tumor tissue specimens also offers the opportunity for therapeutic approaches using photodynamic therapy in the future.

Adult↗

Temperature dependence of light absorption in water at holmium and thulium laser wavelengths.

A simple experimental setup is described that facilitates accurate measurements of the temperature-dependent water absorption coefficient in the mid-infrared spectral region. With this setup, the absorption of holmium and thulium laser radiation in water was quantified to a precision of 0.5%. In the 20-100 degrees C temperature range, a linear decrease of the absorption coefficient with temperature is observed. The slope coefficients amount to -0.104 +/- 0.001 and -0.259 +/- 0.003 l/(K cm) for 2090-nm holmium and 2014-nm thulium radiation, respectively. At both wavelengths, this bleaching reduces the absorption coefficients of water at 100 degrees C by one third when compared with room temperature. A numerical simulation shows that the variable absorption has a noticeable influence on peak temperatures in laser heating of water.

Journal Article↗

Elevation of plasma membrane permeability by laser irradiation of selectively bound nanoparticles.

Irradiation of nanoabsorbers with pico- and nanosecond laser pulses could result in thermal effects with a spatial confinement of less than 50 nm. Therefore absorbing nanoparticles could be used to create controlled cellular effects. We describe a combination of laser irradiation with nanoparticles, which changes the plasma membrane permeability. We demonstrate that the system enables molecules to penetrate impermeable cell membranes. Laser light at 532 nm is used to irradiate conjugates of colloidal gold, which are delivered by antibodies to the plasma membrane of the Hodgkin's disease cell line L428 and/or the human large-cell anaplastic lymphoma cell line Karpas 299. After irradiation, membrane permeability is evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry using propidium iodide (PI) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) dextran. The fraction of transiently permeabilized and then resealed cells is affected by the laser parameter, the gold concentration, and the membrane protein of the different cell lines to which the nanoparticles are bound. Furthermore, a dependence on particle size is found for these interactions in the different cell lines. The results suggest that after optimization, this method could be used for gene transfection and gene therapy.

Biopolymers↗