Microlens-ended fibers could find great usefulness in future biomedical applications, particularly in endoscopic imaging applications. In this context, this paper focuses on microlens-attached specialty optical fibers such as imaging fiber that can be used for probe imaging applications. Stand-alone self-aligned polymer microlenses have been fabricated by microcompression molding. The fabrication parameters have been optimized for different materials, such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC Lexan 123R), Zeonor 1060R (ZNR), and Topas COC. A comparison study of the focusing and spatial resolution of the fabricated lenses is performed prior to employing them for fiber-optic fluorescence imaging applications.

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Abstract.A simple optical method using hollow-core photonic crystal fiber for protein detection has been described. In this study, estrogen receptor ͑ER͒ from a MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell lysates immobilized inside a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber was detected using anti-ER primary antibody with either Alexa ™ Fluor 488 ͑green fluorescent dye͒ or 555 ͑red Fluorescent dye͒ labeled Goat anti-rabbit IgG as the secondary antibody. The fluorescence fingerprints of the ER␣ protein were observed under fluorescence microscope, and its optical characteristics were analyzed. The ER␣ protein detection by this proposed method is based on immuno binding from sample volume as low as 50 nL. This method is expected to offer great potential as a biosensor for medical diagnostics and therapeutics applications.

Ocular imaging technology that holds promise for both fundamental investigation and clinical detection of glaucoma is still a challenging research area. A direct view of the trabecular meshwork (TM) with high resolution is not generally possible because the iridocorneal angle region is obstructed by the sclera overlap. The best approach to observe the aqueous outflow system (AOS) is therefore to view from the opposite angle. In this research work, we developed two imaging systems for the high resolution ex vivo studies of the AOS inside porcine eye, based on a Gaussian illuminated and a digitally scanned Bessel-Gauss beam light sheet fluorescence configurations. The digitally scanned Bessel-Gauss beam is able to overcome the trade-off between the length and thickness of the Gaussian light sheet to give better imaging performance. It has adequate spatial resolution to resolve critical anatomical structures such as the TM, thereby enabling objective information about the AOS. This noncontact and non-invasive imaging methodology with excellent safety profile is expected to be well received by vision researchers and clinicians in the evaluation and management of glaucoma.

An imaging probe is designed and developed by integrating a miniaturized charge-coupled diode camera and light-emitting diode light source, which enables evaluation of the iridocorneal region inside the eye. The efficiency of the prototype probe instrument is illustrated initially by using not only eye models, but also samples such as pig eye. The proposed methodology and developed scheme are expected to find potential application in iridocorneal angle documentation, glaucoma diagnosis, and follow-up management procedures.