Simultaneous Two and Three Photon Microscopy for Improved Medical Diagnostics

A new generation of compact ultrafast fiber laser systems enables simultaneous two- and three-photon based microscopy, including two- and three-photon fluorescence as well as second and third harmonic generation (SHG and THG) imaging. These imaging systems can ultimately be used in many biomedical research or clinical diagnosis applications as they provide high-resolution and high-contrast imaging capabilities with reduced tissue damage without the need of artificially induced fluorescent dyes.

These lasers feature a unique design that efficiently generates temporally clean sub-40 femtosecond (fs) pulses with a very broadband optical spectrum, and this uniqueness allows for the simultaneous higher-order imaging. With significantly shorter pulse durations than conventional systems, these new ultrafast lasers achieve significantly higher peak power, resulting in a higher imaging contrast. At the same time, imaging with very low average power allows for long-term imaging without damaging cells.

In this webinar, Prochnow and van Huizen introduce the ultrafast fiber laser system and explain the uniqueness of the specifications with relevance to enabling higher order imaging. The potential advantage of the use of such ultrafast lasers in advanced clinical systems is outlined. Examples of the advantages of being able to provide rapid on-site histologic feedback on excised tissue, such as diagnostic biopsies or tissue from surgical resections in real life situations, are presented.

About Oliver Prochnow
Oliver Prochnow, Ph.D., is a founder of VALO Innovations, which has been a part of HÜBNER Photonics since 2021. He developed the sub 50 femtosecond fiber lasers which now build the VALO Femtosecond Series from HÜBNER Photonics. He holds a doctorate in physics from University of Hannover, Germany and during his doctorate studies he worked at Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. focusing on ultrafast fiber lasers and amplifiers. He is an author or co-author of more than 45 scientific publications.

About Laura van Huizen
Laura van Huizen, Ph.D. is the application development manager at Flash Pathology B.V. During her doctoral studies at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, she was the first to introduce a portable Higher Harmonic Generation microscope into the hospital, validating its use for various biological tissues and diseases. After a postdoctoral position at Aarhus University, she returned to Amsterdam to join the Flash Pathology team.