Many bioimaging studies, including those in engineered tissue constructs, intravital microscopy in animal models, and medical imaging in humans, require cellular-resolution imaging of structures deep within a sample. Yet, many of the current approaches are limited in terms of resolution, but also in invasiveness, repeatable imaging of the same location, and accessible imaging depth. We coin the term micro-endomicroscope to describe the emerging class of small, cellular-resolution endoscopic imaging systems designed to image cells in situ while minimizing perturbation of the sample. In this Perspective, we motivate the need for further development of micro-endomicroscopes, highlighting applications that would greatly benefit, reviewing progress, and considering how photonics might contribute. We identify areas ripe for technological development, such as micro-scanners and small lens systems, that would advance micro-endomicroscope performance. With the right developments in photonics, many possibilities exist for new minimally invasive translatable imaging tools across the scientific, pre-clinical, and clinical spectrum: from longitudinal studies of engineered tissue constructs, to tracking disease progression in animal models, to expanding the ability to diagnose and develop treatments for diseases without the need for invasive medical procedures.

中文翻译：

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用小的成像小：微内窥镜中光子学在微创细胞分辨率生物成像中的前景

许多生物成像研究，包括工程组织构建体、动物模型中的活体显微镜和人体医学成像中的研究，都需要对样本深处的结构进行细胞分辨率成像。然而，当前的许多方法在分辨率、侵入性、同一位置的可重复成像和可访问的成像深度方面都受到限制。我们创造了术语显微内窥镜来描述新兴的一类小型细胞分辨率内窥镜成像系统，旨在对细胞进行原位成像同时尽量减少样本的扰动。在这个观点中，我们激发了进一步开发微型内窥镜的需求，突出了将大大受益的应用，回顾了进展，并考虑了光子学可能如何做出贡献。我们确定了技术发展成熟的领域，例如微型扫描仪和小型镜头系统，这将提高微型内窥镜的性能。随着光子学的正确发展，在科学、临床前和临床范围内，新的微创可转换成像工具存在许多可能性：从工程组织结构的纵向研究，到在动物模型中跟踪疾病进展，再到扩展能力无需侵入性医疗程序即可诊断和开发疾病治疗方法。