Schenke-Layland, K.K.Schenke-LaylandRiemann, I.I.RiemannUlrich, V.V.UlrichOpitz, F.F.OpitzStock, U.A.U.A.StockKönig, K.K.König2022-03-102022-03-102004https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/34459310.1117/12.545882Near infrared (NIR) femtosecond laser imaging systems represent a novel and very promising diagnostic technology for non-invasive cross-sectional analysis of living biological tissues. In this study 3D multiphoton imaging with submicron resolution has been performed for non-invasive analysis of living native and tissue-engineered (TE) heart valves and blood vessels. High-resolution autofluorescence and second harmonic generation (SHG) images of collagenous structures and elastic fibers were demonstrated using multiphoton excitation at two different wavelengths. Non-invasive optical sections have been obtained without the need of staining or embedding. The quality of the resulting three-dimensional images allowed exact differentiation between collagenous structures and elastic fibers. These experimental results are very encouraging for NIR femtosecond laser scanning microscopy as a useful tool for future non-destructive monitoring and characterization of vital and intact TE cardiovascular structures.en610620conference paper