BIOT643 Week 11 Discussion

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Apr 3, 2024

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Phoenix Micron Phoenix-Micron, Inc. is a global leader in in vivo ophthalmic imaging of laboratory animals, and the MICRON retinal imaging microscope has almost become an industry standard.  What is the underlying principle that allows this microscope to work? This incredible retinal microscopy system can deliver images in 3 different modalities: bright field, angiography, and fluorescent imaging. This means that the microscope has the ability to switch modes. First, it can use visible wavelength light refracted off different lenses and passing through the specimen- in this case, the eye- to view the image. The MICRON retinal imaging microscope has dials, one for barrier filters and one for exciter filters. When the dials are turned, the MICRON microscopy will switch to using specific wavelengths of light generated by lasers to excite fluorescent molecules. Furthermore, the MICRON is able to use near-infrared wavelengths to capture long-wavelength fluorophores and angiograms (Phoenix Research Labs, 2013).  How is it better than last/current generation technology? Does it have unique features? The MICRON 5 is the newest generation from Phoenix and offers interchangeable imaging sensors and software-controlled camera operation, expanded excitation and barrier filter capabilities, and new depth of field adjustments. These new features allow researchers to fine- tune in vivo imaging and capture more precise data more efficiently. The MICRON 5 can get retina resolution below 3 microns and take both still images and video. Even more impressive is that Phoenix has made the MICRON 5 camera compatible with the previous MICRO IV generation. Therefore, researchers who have already invested in the MICRO systems can upgrade at the lowest cost without replacing equipment as a whole (King, 2023). In addition, there are attachment lenses, the new MICRON LT2, that enable precision optical alignment. Moreover, Phoenix has developed this LT2 feature in a way that would eliminate the need for the equipment to be sent back to the factory for calibration (Mitton, 2023) Furthermore, the variety of attachments makes this technology expandable and flexible. For one, researchers have the ability to take colored images of the fundus or interior surface of the eye. They can also gather Optical coherence tomography (OCT) data. In OCT, microscopy uses light waves to take cross-sectional pictures of the retina, this shows the distinct layers of the retina and takes measurements of its thickness. Being able to perform fundoscopy and OCT are used in humans for diagnoses and treatment of many eye conditions, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (Turbert, 2018). Therefore, the ability to perform and collect data in small animal species, like rodents, using fundoscopy and OCT is vital to researching these retinal diseases. The MICRON 5 can also perform a focal electroretinogram (fERG), which measures retinal sensitivity by measuring cumulative response originating from the photoreceptors in the eye (Messenio et al., 2022). This not only looks at images of the eye but allows scientists to get experimental endpoints on the functionality of the eye. And because this microscope uses light waves and laser features, it can also perform image- guided laser treatments (King, 2023). Laser treatments give scientists the ability to induce some eye conditions in small animals to enable research on those diseases.

Other equipment, such as the Heidelberg Spectralis, can perform imaging, OCT, fundoscopy, and angiography. However, the Spectralis is much larger and would need modifications for small animal research (Heidelberg Engineering Inc., 2023). Individual equipment also focuses on different measurements, like the SLO-based systems images of the mouse fundus. However, the images are monochromatic and not colored like the Phoenix’s MICRON, and imaging mice less than one month of age is very difficult with the SLO-based system due to the small size of the eye and lack of control of specific light sources. In addition, Topcon, FLIO, TEFI, and Kowa systems all have limitations in terms of providing clearance for subretinal injection equipment (Butler & Sullivan, 2015). The other equipment is expensive and does not have the imaging range of the MICRON retinal imaging microscope.  What sorts of specimens are appropriate for it? In order to advance ophthalmic research, the MICRON system is designed to streamline researcher workflows and capture and manage high-resolution ophthalmic images and associated data. Its compact design and multiuse features were specifically for small animal eye and eye-brain research laboratories (Mitton, 2023).  What are the limitations or drawbacks? A significant drawback is that the MICRON does not have adaptations for real-time subretinal surgery on rodent eyes. Also, it uses discrete filters for excitation/emission and does not have uniform control over spectral input/output for fluorescence (Butler & Sullivan, 2015). Another drawback is that MICRON imaging is widefield microscopy, whereas Spectralis is a confocal microscope (Heidelberg Engineering Inc., 2023). Therefore, the Spectralis has very high resolution and contrast images by comparison. References: Butler, M. C., & Sullivan, J. M. (2015). A Novel, Real-Time, In Vivo Mouse Retinal Imaging System. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science , 56 (12), 7159-7168. https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.14- 16370 Heidelberg Engineering Inc. (2023). SPECTRALIS OCT - The modular Imaging Platform . Heidelberg Engineering. https://business-lounge.heidelbergengineering.com/us/en/products/spectralis/spectralis/ King, J. (2023, April 23). Phoenix-Micron, Inc. launches the next generation of its MICRON in vivo ophthalmic imaging platform for small animal research . Cision PR Web. https://www.prweb.com/releases/phoenix-micron-inc-launches-the-next-generation-of-its-micron-in- vivo-ophthalmic-imaging-platform-for-small-animal-research-849732226.html Messenio, D., Babbi, A., Guglielmi, A., & Airaldi, M. (2022). Focal electroretinogram and microperimetry testing of photoreceptor-retinal pigment epithelium function in intermediate age-related macular degeneration. Acta Ophthalmologica , 100 (3), 277-284. https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.14934 Mitten, K. (2023). Phoenix Micron 5 . Phoenix-Micron. https://phoenixmicron.com/phoenix-micron- retinal-camera/micron-5-retinal-camera/

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