Fiber optic confocal microscope with miniature objective for in-vivo imaging

We have built a fiber optic confocal reflectance microscope capable of imaging human tissue at 15 frames/s. Miniaturization of the objective lens and the mechanical component for positioning and axially scanning the objective enable the system to be used in inner organs of the human body. The measured lateral resolution is 2 micrometers and axial resolution is 10 micrometers. Confocal images of human lip in vivo have been obtained without any fluorescent dyes. Cell nuclear morphology and tissue architecture can be appreciated from these images. This microscope has the potential for in situ detection of pathology.