First Single Camera, Multi-Parametric Cardiac Imaging System Uses Photometrics® Evolve™ EMCCD Camera

Photometrics’ high-performance Evolve 128 EMCCD camera was used in the first single camera, multi-parameter cardiac imaging system. Oxford University and University of Michigan researchers employed the system to measure the electrophysiological function of adult human stem cell-derived heart tissue.

The findings were published as part of a review titled “Optical Imaging of Voltage and Calcium in Cardiac Cells & Tissues,” in today’s issue of Circulation Research. The review describes advances in cardiac optical mapping, as it is referred to in the cardiac research community, for studying cardiovascular function and disease.

Using the Evolve 128 EMCCD camera and off-the-shelf components, the authors demonstrated for the first time the electrophysiological functions of adult human stem cell-derived heart tissue, which included simultaneous voltage and ratiometric calcium imaging on a macroscopic scale. This single camera, multi-parametric method represents a new optical mapping technique for quantitative measurement of cardiac tissue function from cellular monolayers to whole hearts.

“To acquire this type of data, traditional set-ups require the use of multiple cameras to collect emission spectra from each parameter, which is far too costly and technically difficult to replicate,” said Peter Lee, one of the study’s authors. “The single camera multi-parametric system using the Evolve 128 completely eliminates the need to align multiple cameras, which improves reproducibility, minimizes set-up time and drastically reduces equipment costs.”

The Evolve 128’s well-depth and high camera frame rate of ~1000 fps at 64x64 pixel resolution and 10-MHz readout enabled Lee to share frames between different parameters. By multiplexing the camera’s frame-exposures using a multi-band optical filter and powerful LEDs, Lee was able to successfully image three parameters with a single camera. His innovative approach will be integral in determining the underlying mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias and new cell-based therapies that will emerge from the biomedical field of cardiovascular regenerative medicine.

“Peter’s case is a great example of researchers relying on Photometrics’ technology and support to construct customized, scalable biomedical imaging systems,” said Rachit Mohindra, associate product manager at Photometrics.

A complete case study on how Lee and his colleagues executed this multi-parametric imaging approach is available on the Photometrics website, “Single-Camera, Multi-Parametric Imaging of Human Stem Cell-Derived Heart Tissue.”