High-definition Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging of breast tissue

Abstract

Breast cancer diagnosis relies on staining serial sections of a biopsy in a process that can be time intensive and costly. Fourier transform infrared imaging (FT-IR) is a non-destructive, label-free chemical imaging technique that uses the vibrational structure of the biological molecules of the sample to provide contrast for images at any absorption peak in the mid-infrared. The full potential of spectroscopic imaging has been limited by the spatial resolution provided by most commercial instruments. By increasing the magnification and numerical aperture of the microscope, image pixel sizes on the order of 1.1 micron can be achieved, allowing HD FT-IR spectroscopic imaging to provide high quality images that could aid in histopathology, diagnosis, and studies of breast cancer progression.

Design Considerations for Discrete Frequency Infrared Microscopy Systems

“…98,99 Continued improvements over the FT-IR spectrometer-microscope framework in optical design primarily drove improvements in technology, [100][101][102] with significant efforts being focused on increasing imaging quality using a solid immersion lens or attenuated total reflection, 80,[103][104][105][106][107][108] modeling, and simulation 109 as well as advances in instrument design. 74,[110][111][112][113] Synchrotron-focal plane array combinations continued to provide exceptional capability 74,111,114 and table top systems now routinely provide high-definition IR imaging. 112,[115][116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123] While it is not our intent here to provide a comprehensive coverage of the development of IR imaging technology, these representative examples serve to show how a diversity of components can lead to advances and different optimal combinations that are useful for specific applications but involve design trade-offs.…”

“…74,[110][111][112][113] Synchrotron-focal plane array combinations continued to provide exceptional capability 74,111,114 and table top systems now routinely provide high-definition IR imaging. 112,[115][116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123] While it is not our intent here to provide a comprehensive coverage of the development of IR imaging technology, these representative examples serve to show how a diversity of components can lead to advances and different optimal combinations that are useful for specific applications but involve design trade-offs. The recent past has seen two major changes that merit special attention, the evolution of the IR microscope and the availability of QCLs.…”

Infrared Spectroscopic Imaging Advances as an Analytical Technology for Biomedical Sciences

“…101 An example of increasing specificity by the use of HD optics was also recently shown in a study of colon tissue, allowing discrimination of goblet cells along with their mucin secretions. 103,252 Breast tissue analysis using HD has also been shown, 253 followed by the creation of a more complex tissue structure classification. 35 HD imaging has also helped in identification of parasites in single erythrocytes 107 by increasing spatial resolution of the parasite signal and in observing tendon damage using linearly polarized light.…”

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging of wear and corrosion products within joint capsule tissue from total hip replacements patients

“…Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopic Imaging (FTIR-I) is a promising technique for providing chemical information on cells and tissue for clinical diagnosis and research [22][23][24] . FTIR-I spectra provide spatially resolved (to a few microns) total chemical compositional information, which for biological materials, is typically the macromolecular content of the sample-proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and carbohydrates.…”