Multiscale, Multispectral Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Using a Double-Clad Fiber

Fiber-based imaging of tissue autofluorescence using ultraviolet (UV) excitation is a highly flexible tool used to probe structure and composition. In this Letter, we report, to the best of our knowledge, the first results from a single-fiber imaging system employing a custom double-clad fiber to acquire multispectral fluorescence lifetime images at two distinct spatial resolutions. We characterize the lateral point spread function and fluorescent background of the system and show how enhanced resolution can identify features such as trabeculae in ex vivo murine bone samples.