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Imaging hair cells through laser-ablated cochlear bone

Imaging hair cells through laser-ablated cochlear bone BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS Romito, M., Pu, Y., Stankovic, K. M., Psaltis, D. 2019; 10 (11): 5974-5988

Abstract

We report an innovative technique for the visualization of cells through an overlying scattering medium by combining femtosecond laser bone ablation and two-photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF) microscopy. We demonstrate the technique by imaging hair cells in an intact mouse cochlea ex vivo. Intracochlear imaging is important for the assessment of hearing disorders. However, the small size of the cochlea and its encasement in the densest bone in the body present challenging obstacles, preventing the visualization of the intracochlear microanatomy using standard clinical imaging modalities. The controlled laser ablation reduces the optical scattering of the cochlear bone while the TPEF allows visualization of individual cells behind the bone. We implemented optical coherence tomography (OCT) simultaneously with the laser ablation to enhance the precision of the ablation and prevent inadvertent damage to the cells behind the bone.

View details for DOI 10.1364/BOE.10.005974

View details for Web of Science ID 000493997700035

View details for PubMedID 31799058

View details for PubMedCentralID PMC6865115