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April 1, 2026npj Imaging2 citationsOpen Access

High-resolution dynamic full-field optical coherence microscopy: illuminating intracellular activity in deep tissue

ETErikas TarvydasATAustėja TrečiokaitėEAEgidijus Auksorius

Key Points

  • To develop a high-resolution dynamic full-field optical coherence microscopy (d-FF-OCM) system for imaging deep within highly scattering tissues.
  • Developed a new d-FF-OCM system utilizing 100× oil-immersion objectives and a laser-pumped light source.
  • Achieved imaging at depths up to 120 µm with nanometre-scale resolution.
  • Incorporated real-time reference arm adjustment to enhance signal strength during imaging.
  • Successfully imaged fresh ex vivo mouse liver and small intestine with high detail.
  • Dynamic contrast revealed fine structures like microvasculature and cell organization not visible with conventional methods.

Abstract

Abstract Dynamic full-field optical coherence microscopy ( d -FF-OCM) is a label-free imaging technique that captures intrinsic subcellular motions to generate functional contrast. This dynamic approach yields images with fluorescence-like contrast, highlighting active structures without the need for fluorescent labels. However, current d -FF-OCM implementations have limitations when imaging deep within highly scattering tissues at high resolution. Here, we present a new high-resolution d -FF-OCM system that overcomes these limitations, enabling depth-extended high-resolution imaging in such tissues. The setup uses 100× oil-immersion objectives (NA = 1.25) and a high-brightness, laser-pumped incoherent white light source to achieve nanometre-scale resolution at depths up to ~120 µm in highly scattering samples. We also incorporate real-time reference arm adjustment to maintain signal strength and contrast as the focus moves deeper into the sample. Using this system, we imaged fresh ex vivo mouse liver and small intestine with extended depth and detail. In these tissues, the dynamic contrast clearly revealed fine structures not visible with conventional OCT—for example, the sinusoidal microvasculature and organized cell layers in the liver, as well as neural plexuses and crypts in the intestine—all visualized label-free.

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Cite This Study

Tarvydas et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69cd7a615652765b073a7743https://doi.org/10.1038/s44303-026-00153-y
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