Label-free volumetric imaging of porcine kidney tissue over extended areas using dynamic MHz-OCT

Sazgar Burhan; Madita Göb; Tjalfe Laedtke; Thorge Grahl; Michael Münter; Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt; Gereon Hüttmann; Robert Huber

doi:10.1038/s41598-025-15032-6

Label-free volumetric imaging of porcine kidney tissue over extended areas using dynamic MHz-OCT

Sazgar Burhan, Madita Göb, Tjalfe Laedtke, Thorge Grahl, Michael Münter, Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt, Gereon Hüttmann, Robert Huber

Institute of Biomedical Optics

Abstract

Dynamic optical coherence tomography (dOCT) enables high-resolution, label-free 3D tissue imaging with functional contrast, offering a potential advancement in kidney transplant viability assessment. Currently, no widely accepted non-invasive method provides an objective evaluation of transplant viability, as conventional imaging lacks the resolution to assess microvascular integrity and cellular dynamics. However, the clinical use of available dOCT systems is limited by prolonged imaging times that hinder clear visualization of tissue dynamics. To address these challenges, this paper presents a swept-source 3.2 MHz-OCT system for dynamic, high-speed, extended-area imaging. The system integrates an optimized inter-volume scan protocol and a micrometer-precision linear robot, enabling extended‑scale tissue imaging over an area of about 2.6 × 2.6 mm2. Using freshly excised porcine kidney tissue, we demonstrate recent advancements and challenges in MHz-dOCT for kidney imaging. Identified anatomical features are thoroughly examined, compared across resolutions, and validated through histology to assess the system’s clinical potential.

Original language	English
Article number	32426
Journal	Scientific Reports
Volume	15
Issue number	1
Pages (from-to)	32426
ISSN	2045-2322
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15032-6
Publication status	Published - 12.09.2025

Funding

Funders	Funder number
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft	EXC 2167–390884018
Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung	KK5143004AB3, 13GW0227B, 13N14665

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

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10.1038/s41598-025-15032-6

Cite this

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title = "Label-free volumetric imaging of porcine kidney tissue over extended areas using dynamic MHz-OCT",

abstract = "Dynamic optical coherence tomography (dOCT) enables high-resolution, label-free 3D tissue imaging with functional contrast, offering a potential advancement in kidney transplant viability assessment. Currently, no widely accepted non-invasive method provides an objective evaluation of transplant viability, as conventional imaging lacks the resolution to assess microvascular integrity and cellular dynamics. However, the clinical use of available dOCT systems is limited by prolonged imaging times that hinder clear visualization of tissue dynamics. To address these challenges, this paper presents a swept-source 3.2 MHz-OCT system for dynamic, high-speed, extended-area imaging. The system integrates an optimized inter-volume scan protocol and a micrometer-precision linear robot, enabling extended‑scale tissue imaging over an area of about 2.6 × 2.6 mm2. Using freshly excised porcine kidney tissue, we demonstrate recent advancements and challenges in MHz-dOCT for kidney imaging. Identified anatomical features are thoroughly examined, compared across resolutions, and validated through histology to assess the system{\textquoteright}s clinical potential.",

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AU - Burhan, Sazgar

AU - Göb, Madita

AU - Laedtke, Tjalfe

AU - Grahl, Thorge

AU - Münter, Michael

AU - Schulz-Hildebrandt, Hinnerk

AU - Hüttmann, Gereon

AU - Huber, Robert

PY - 2025/9/12

Y1 - 2025/9/12

N2 - Dynamic optical coherence tomography (dOCT) enables high-resolution, label-free 3D tissue imaging with functional contrast, offering a potential advancement in kidney transplant viability assessment. Currently, no widely accepted non-invasive method provides an objective evaluation of transplant viability, as conventional imaging lacks the resolution to assess microvascular integrity and cellular dynamics. However, the clinical use of available dOCT systems is limited by prolonged imaging times that hinder clear visualization of tissue dynamics. To address these challenges, this paper presents a swept-source 3.2 MHz-OCT system for dynamic, high-speed, extended-area imaging. The system integrates an optimized inter-volume scan protocol and a micrometer-precision linear robot, enabling extended‑scale tissue imaging over an area of about 2.6 × 2.6 mm2. Using freshly excised porcine kidney tissue, we demonstrate recent advancements and challenges in MHz-dOCT for kidney imaging. Identified anatomical features are thoroughly examined, compared across resolutions, and validated through histology to assess the system’s clinical potential.

AB - Dynamic optical coherence tomography (dOCT) enables high-resolution, label-free 3D tissue imaging with functional contrast, offering a potential advancement in kidney transplant viability assessment. Currently, no widely accepted non-invasive method provides an objective evaluation of transplant viability, as conventional imaging lacks the resolution to assess microvascular integrity and cellular dynamics. However, the clinical use of available dOCT systems is limited by prolonged imaging times that hinder clear visualization of tissue dynamics. To address these challenges, this paper presents a swept-source 3.2 MHz-OCT system for dynamic, high-speed, extended-area imaging. The system integrates an optimized inter-volume scan protocol and a micrometer-precision linear robot, enabling extended‑scale tissue imaging over an area of about 2.6 × 2.6 mm2. Using freshly excised porcine kidney tissue, we demonstrate recent advancements and challenges in MHz-dOCT for kidney imaging. Identified anatomical features are thoroughly examined, compared across resolutions, and validated through histology to assess the system’s clinical potential.

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Label-free volumetric imaging of porcine kidney tissue over extended areas using dynamic MHz-OCT

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

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EXC 2167: Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation (PMI)

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Label-free volumetric imaging of porcine kidney tissue over extended areas using dynamic MHz-OCT

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

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Projects

EXC 2167: Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation (PMI)

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