Integrative microendoscopic system combined with conventional microscope for live animal tissue imaging.

Intravital optical imaging technology is essential for minimally invasive optical diagnosis and treatment in small animal disease models. High-resolution imaging requires high-resolution optical probes, and high-resolution optical imaging systems based on highly precise and advanced technologies and therefore, associated with high-system costs. Besides, in order to acquire small animal live images, special types of animal imaging setups are indispensable. In this paper, a microendoscopic system is designed as an add-on to existing conventional imaging microscopes, reducing the price of complete confocal endomicroscopic systems. The proposed attachable system can be configured for confocal microscopes from common manufacturers and this enables users to acquire live animal cellular images from a conventional system. It features a 4f optical plane relay system, a rotary stage for side-view endoscopic probes, and an endoscopic probe mount which swings between the horizontal and the vertical. The system could be widely useful for biological studies of animal physiology and disease models.