FIBER-OPTICS BASED LASER SYSTEM FOR 2-D FLUORESCENCE DETECTION AND OPTICAL BIOPSY

The constructed fluorescence excitation / collection unit was specifically designed to utilize a single fiber probe for excitation of a green fluorescing marker and its emission collection within the sample depth. Model layered specimens consisting of a slice of rhodamine 6G stained gelatine or suspension of PKH 67 marked cells incorporated between gelatine-milk slices were used to characterize the performance of the constructed system. Localization of the green fluorescing markers was evaluated with the needle based fiber probe tip registering fluorescence spectra at various probing depths. Experimental results demonstrate the sensitivity of the fiber-optics based laser system in measuring thin fluorescing objects within the model layered specimen. The obtained spatial resolution was better than 1 mm which is basically due to the active fiber probe dimensions.