NSF CELL-MET ERC Researchers Evolve Novel Approach for Assessing Implanted Tissue Dynamics
Outcome/Accomplishment
The National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) in Cellular Metamaterials (NSF CELL-MET) has completed an assessment of implanted tissue using a new method based on laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI). The novel speckle covariance imaging method—or SCoVI—provides better signal-to-noise ratios than variance-based measurements alone.
Impact/Benefits
LSCI is a simple method to monitor tissue dynamics, such as perfusion or blood flow, in a non-contact manner. However, LSCI is prone to error in low-light level conditions due to detection noise. In contrast to LSCI, NSF CELL-MET ERC’s SCoVI method is immune to detector noise (Figure 1). Because of its robustness, SCoVI is ideal for the non-invasive assessment of living cardiac tissue health.
Explanation/Background
In conventional LSCI, speckle patterns are captured by a camera and their contrast, spatial or temporal, is calculated as the ratio of the intensity standard deviation to the mean. Using spatial covariance, the NSF CELL-MET ERC research team assessed if the LSCI system could be used to non-invasively evaluate the engraftment status of implanted constructs. The team imaged the skin area above an implant at one week and at two weeks following engraftment. By optimally combining covariance measurements across different length scales, the team was able to improve precision. The method was validated with simulations and applied to both in-vivo mouse brain imaging and low-light-level speckle plethysmography in humans (Figure 2). A paper was published in Optica Volume 11, Issue 12, in 2024.
Location
Boston, MassachusettsStart Year
Biotechnology and Healthcare
Biotechnology and Healthcare
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Outcome/Accomplishment
The National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) in Cellular Metamaterials (NSF CELL-MET) has completed an assessment of implanted tissue using a new method based on laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI). The novel speckle covariance imaging method—or SCoVI—provides better signal-to-noise ratios than variance-based measurements alone.
Location
Boston, MassachusettsStart Year
Biotechnology and Healthcare
Biotechnology and Healthcare
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Impact/benefits
LSCI is a simple method to monitor tissue dynamics, such as perfusion or blood flow, in a non-contact manner. However, LSCI is prone to error in low-light level conditions due to detection noise. In contrast to LSCI, NSF CELL-MET ERC’s SCoVI method is immune to detector noise (Figure 1). Because of its robustness, SCoVI is ideal for the non-invasive assessment of living cardiac tissue health.
Explanation/Background
In conventional LSCI, speckle patterns are captured by a camera and their contrast, spatial or temporal, is calculated as the ratio of the intensity standard deviation to the mean. Using spatial covariance, the NSF CELL-MET ERC research team assessed if the LSCI system could be used to non-invasively evaluate the engraftment status of implanted constructs. The team imaged the skin area above an implant at one week and at two weeks following engraftment. By optimally combining covariance measurements across different length scales, the team was able to improve precision. The method was validated with simulations and applied to both in-vivo mouse brain imaging and low-light-level speckle plethysmography in humans (Figure 2). A paper was published in Optica Volume 11, Issue 12, in 2024.