Compressive Plenoptic Imaging

Patent Status

Brief Description

Better understanding the brain's architecture and the behavior of neural networks requires non-invasive probes capable of monitoring brain activity at the scale of individual neurons.  Functional neuro-imaging methods have the advantage of being minimally invasive and can potentially resolve individual action potentials.  An ideal imaging method would be capable of quantifying many neurons simultaneously, have high spatial and temporal resolution, be non-invasive, and be accurate even in deep layers of brain tissue. There are a variety of current techniques available, many of which use mechanical scanning to reduce the effects of optical scattering and therefore have low temporal resolution.

UC Berkeley researchers have developed a device capable of quantitative functional neuro-imaging in the thick brain tissue of live animals. By combining a detection method with algorithmic data processing, this device achieves single neuron resolution and fast sampling rates with high spatial and temporal resolution. 

Suggested uses

• Optical monitoring of live tissues
• Monitoring live brains in real time
• Research tool in cognitive neurosciences and neuropsychology
• Brain-machine interfaces

Advantages

• High spatial and temporal resolution in 3D
• Simultaneous monitoring of multiple neurons
• Simple optical design with no fine alignment required
• Computationally efficient methods enable real time quantification of neural activity