Construção de um oftalmoscópio de varredura a laser acoplado a técnicas de espalhamento Raman estimulado

Abstract

The present work describes the development of a prototype Laser Scanning Ophthalmoscope (LSO) aimed at the non-invasive diagnosis of retinopathies through the integration of advanced Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) techniques, with particular focus on the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease via in vivo characterization of the beta-amyloid peptide. Initially, we present a concise theoretical overview of Raman Scattering, beginning with its spontaneous form and progressing to the stimulated regime, along with the fundamentals of linear and nonlinear optics involved in their mechanisms. Next, we describe the construction process of the LSO, including the optical and electronic components used and the adapted software, with emphasis on the integration with scanning systems, confocal detection, and LabVIEW-based control. Results obtained from fluorescence imaging of biological samples and a mechanical eye demonstrate the system’s functionality and its applicability in imaging cellular structures. Finally, we discuss the next steps for correcting optical aberrations, optimizing system performance, and fully implementing SRS imaging in a clinical setting as a natural evolution of the project. This work represents a relevant step in optical instrumentation for the early diagnosis of retinopathies, with potential for expansion to other biomedical applications based on vibrational spectroscopy.