New 3D imaging technology keeps long samples intact

Researchers at the Universidad Carlos III of Madrid (UC3M) and its spin-off company, 4D-Nature, have developed a technique called helical optical projection tomography (hOPT), which improves biomedical diagnostic 3D imaging. 4D-Nature designs, develops and sets up advanced imaging equipment adapted to its clients’ needs.

hOPT involves rotating a sample while moving it vertically in order to obtain a 3D image of it. Writing in the journal Optics Express, the researchers explained that it is based on optical projection tomography (OPT), but “contrary to OPT, hOPT makes possible to obtain 3D optical images of intact long samples without imposing limits on the sample length”.

The innovation thus enables 3D images of living organisms to be obtained with greater speed and precision. Its capabilities have already been tested “to image long murine tissue samples such as spinal cords and large intestines”, the researchers said. Other applications could include the development of new medicines and sensors, as well as other biomedical research.

The scientists have been developing prototypes for almost 10 years, ensuring the software that controls the program is intuitive and user-friendly. Jorge Ripoll, a partner in 4D-Nature and professor in UC3M’s Bioengineering Department, said, “It has taken around eight years to develop, fine-tune and validate this software and get it to where it is now.”

Professor Ripoll was awarded a European Marie Curie Career Integration Grant to develop the advanced imaging equipment.

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