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Review
. 2014 Dec 9:7:445-52.
doi: 10.2147/MDER.S51426. eCollection 2014.

Non-invasive imaging of microcirculation: a technology review

Sam Eriksson  1 , Jan Nilsson  1 , Christian Sturesson  1
Affiliations
Review

Non-invasive imaging of microcirculation: a technology review

Sam Eriksson et al. Med Devices (Auckl). .

Abstract

Microcirculation plays a crucial role in physiological processes of tissue oxygenation and nutritional exchange. Measurement of microcirculation can be applied on many organs in various pathologies. In this paper we aim to review the technique of non-invasive methods for imaging of the microcirculation. Methods covered are: videomicroscopy techniques, laser Doppler perfusion imaging, and laser speckle contrast imaging. Videomicroscopy techniques, such as orthogonal polarization spectral imaging and sidestream dark-field imaging, provide a plentitude of information and offer direct visualization of the microcirculation but have the major drawback that they may give pressure artifacts. Both laser Doppler perfusion imaging and laser speckle contrast imaging allow non-contact measurements but have the disadvantage of their sensitivity to motion artifacts and that they are confined to relative measurement comparisons. Ideal would be a non-contact videomicroscopy method with fully automatic analysis software.

Keywords: laser Doppler imaging; laser speckle contrast imaging; orthogonal polarization spectral imaging; sidestream dark-field.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Absorption spectra in tissue of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and water. Note: The absorption of hemoglobin decreases at approximately 650 nm.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sidestream dark-field (SDF) imaging technique. Note: Courtesy of MicroVision Medical http://www.microvisionmedical.com/. Abbreviation: LED, light emitting diodes.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Sidestream dark-field (SDF) image of rat liver parenchyma. Note: The wider vessel is a post-sinusoidal venule and the narrower vessels are sinusoids.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Laser Doppler perfusion imaging technique. Note: Courtesy of Moor Instruments http://gb.moor.co.uk/.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Laser speckle contrast image of human liver. Note: The color scale represents blood flow level.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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