Obtaining real-time information about tissue health is crucial for effectively diagnosing and treating diseases. The Multimodal Endoscopy Core at UC Irvine Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic investigates imaging of tissue structure, composition and physiology with high speed, contrast, sensitivity and spatial resolution.  Researchers develop multiple imaging technologies, such as fiber-based micro-endoscopic Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Multiphoton Microscopy (MPM) and Coherent Anti-stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) as clinical tools. These optical techniques are valuable individually and, when combined, can significantly enhance the diagnosis and management of complex diseases.  

The Institute has played a prominent role in developing fiber-based microendoscopic technologies and translating these technologies for imaging. While each optical probing technique provides important diagnostic parameters, integrating multiple methods is necessary for effectively diagnosing and managing complex diseases. For example, diagnosing cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis relies on interpreting information about tissue structure, chemical compositions, and mechanical properties. Similarly, cancer diagnosis benefits from multiple parameters for early detection.