Background-free fibre optic Brillouin probe for remote mapping of micromechanics

Abstract

Brillouin spectroscopy is a century-old technique that has recently received renewed interest, as modern instrumentation has transformed it into a powerful contactless and label-free probe of micromechanical properties for biomedical applications. In particular, to fully harness the non-contact and non-destructive nature of Brillouin imaging, there is strong motivation to develop a fibre-integrated device and extend the technology into the domain of in vivo and in situ operation, such as for medical diagnostics. This work presents the first demonstration of a fibre optic Brillouin probe that is capable of mapping the mechanical properties of a tissue-mimicking phantom. This is achieved through combination of miniaturised optical design, advanced hollow-core fibre fabrication and high-resolution 3D printing. The protype probe is compact, backgroundfree and possesses the highest collection efficiency to date, thus provides the foundation of a fibre-based Brillouin device for remote in situ measurements in challenging and otherwise difficult-to-reach environments, for biomedical, material science and industrial applications.

Mechanical mapping of bioprinted hydrogel models by brillouin microscopy

“…Noncontact and label-free nature of both Brillouin and Raman microscopy suggests that these technologies can be translated to in vivo imaging scenarios to harness their full potential [29][30][31]. Recent developments have also shown the possibility of fibre integration of Brillouin systems [32]. Thus in the future, it would be possible to integrate Brillouin fibre probe within a bioprinter nozzle to achieve simultaneous fabrication and characterisation of bioprinted scaffolds and cell models.…”

Mechanical Mapping of Bioprinted Hydrogel Models by Brillouin Microscopy

“…Non-contact and label-free nature of both Brillouin and Raman microscopy suggests that these technologies can be translated to in vivo imaging scenarios to harness their full potential [29-31]. Recent developments have also shown the possibility of fibre integration of Brillouin systems [32]. Thus in the future, it would be possible to integrate Brillouin fibre probe within a bioprinter nozzle to achieve simultaneous fabrication and characterisation of bioprinted scaffolds and cell models.…”

Brillouin Spectroscopy: From Biomedical Research to New Generation Pathology Diagnosis

“…There are some technical problems in using optical fibers but they can be overcome at least partially, allowing for the obtainment of reliable measurements in simple liquids. In fact, a fiber optic Brillouin probe has been recently developed that is free of background signals and has state-of-the-art spectral resolution [ 40 ]. It is the first step to a “Brillouin endoscope”.…”

“…If future technological advances allow similar coupling of Brillouin and Raman spectroscopies at smaller scales, a similar analysis could become available for in vivo diagnosis. This advance should be possible using miniature endoscopic probes that are currently available for Raman and Brilluoin independently or in situ evaluation of biopsies by Brillouin–Raman coupled hypodermic needles for assessment of critical injection sites [ 39 , 40 , 123 , 124 , 125 ].…”