Vascular Imaging, 3D Vessel Network, Label-Free Imaging, Fluorescence Imaging, Whole Organ Imaging, and Diagnostics.
Inventors at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have developed a method that utilizes autofluorescence metabolic imaging to evaluate mitochondrial metabolites such as Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH) and Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD). The imaging method involves a 3-dimensional (3D) vascular segmentation technique known as “vascular metabolic imaging (VMI)” that leverages inverted intrinsic fluorescence imaging of whole organs.
By measuring fluorescence from naturally occurring mitochondrial metabolites combined with light-absorbing properties of hemoglobin, the 3D structure of the vascular tree of lungs, kidneys, heart, and the liver of animal models are successfully extracted using VMI. The VMI technology is capable of high-resolution imaging compared to X-ray or ultrasound instruments. Simultaneous vascular and metabolic information extracted from the VMI has potential diagnostic utility without the use of vascular stains, fillers and contrast agents or their combinations. The outcome of the images using vascular segmentation is as shown in figure.
Provision Patent Application filed May 15th, 2020.
This technology is a part of an ongoing research in Dr. Ranji’s lab that was recently awarded with $ 444K from national institutes of health (NIH) to better understand diabetic retinopathy.
Lead Inventor: Dr. Mahsa Ranji
Associate Professor
Dep’t of Electrical Engineering
University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee
For further information please contact:
Smruti Patil, Ph.D., IPMM
Licensing Associate
UWM Research Foundation
1440 East North Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Email: smruti@uwmrf.org
Tel: 414-906-4657
Please reference: OTT ID. 1670