Endoscopic Microscopy IX

Papers for this session focus on the development of high resolution imaging systems that are endoscope compatible and include novel techniques for early detection, screening, diagnosis, intervention, and treatment of disease in either pre-clinical models or human subjects. In general, remote detection is based on the use of an optical fiber to transmit light between the instrument and the tissue, and involves the collection of information about molecular and cellular processes without physical excision of tissue. These methods of in vivo optical imaging extends across a wide range of resolution, from molecular, sub-cellular and cellular to tissue and organ levels. The creation of an image may require a variety of different scanning mechanisms.

Endoscopic techniques provide unique advantages over other (e.g. whole body) imaging modalities for evaluating disease present over the epithelial surface of hollow organs. The direct proximity of collection optics to regions of disease can result in unparalleled achievement of resolution, unraveling of molecular mechanisms, and use of fluorescence contrast agents. Examples of applications of endoscopic microscopy to medicine include the detection of pre-malignant lesions, identification of disease below the tissue surface, assessment of depth of tumor invasion, localization of cancer margins, evaluation of effectiveness of pharmacological therapy, and reduction in number of physical biopsies and frequency of surveillance.

This conference provides an inter-disciplinary forum for physicians, molecular biologists, chemists, biochemists, optical engineers, and instrument designers to report and discuss recent results, improvements, and new approaches in the emerging field of endoscopic microscopy.