Validation of spectrally encoded interferometric microscopy (SEIM) in finding ciliary beat frequency of human ex vivo upper airway tissue

Mucociliary clearance facilitated by healthy cilia beating is crucial to normal upper airway function. Phase-contrast microscopy (PCM) is the current golden standard for measuring ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and has limitations. With PCM, one cannot appreciate how CBF varies across the complex landscape of the nasal vault and sinus tissues. With Spectrally encoded interferometric microscopy (SEIM), en face imaging of cilia can be achieved, providing insight into the changes in CBF across tissue surfaces. This study aims to validate the use of SEIM to quantify ciliary beat frequency across ex vivo upper airway tissue.