Neuroscience

Modendo’s Ultrathin Endomicroscope

Modendo’s ultrathin endomicroscopes provide a minimally invasive access to any region of the brain in animal models. The system is adapted for real time in-vivo imaging of neuronal activity, and photo-stimulation.

The novel optical probes have a small footprint, with diameters ranging from 60μm up to 200μm, and different terminations depending on the end user needs. These narrow probes can be inserted easily into the brain without any brain aspiration. Due to their narrow profile, they can be used acutely, by inserting them with greater precision between major blood vessels, reducing the risk of hematoma

There is no other product or technology in the market that provides the ability to image deep inside the brain with such minimal invasiveness and optical resolution.

  • The small footprint of the probes (ranging from 60μm to 200μm in diameter) reduce significantly the impact on the tissue during and after insertion

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    Comparison of tissue impact between Modendo’s probes and the probes tipically used in photometry (400um)

  • The system can resolve neurons and structures below 1μm

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  • Modendo’s novel approach uses the same probe for illumination and fluorescence collection reducing the complexity of the system

  • Using multiple input wavelengths, multi-spectral images can be imaged simultaneously

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    Light control through the ultrathin probe allows to raster scan a focus without any mechanical apparatus at the probe

  • Light can be scanned in multiple planes allowing the recovery of volumetric high-resolution images

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    Custom made Graphical User Interface for intuitive system control, image reconstruction with ML algorithms for automatic shape detection and neuronal activity sorting

  • Holographic techniques allow the projection of any arbitrary pattern at the distal tip of the probe

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Modendo NueroVu in-vivo imaging results

Two examples of live imaging of GCaMP+ neurons as the fiber optic probe is lowered into the striatum. A 100 micron core diameter fiber optic probe moving in z(depth) during fluorescent imaging (488nm laser line). Genetically encoded calcium sensors are proxies for neuronal activity, when calcium enters the cell and binds to the GCaMP protein it dimerizes and releases photons, signaling a neurophysiological event. The data shown is unprocessed