氧焠冷磷光為一非侵襲式之光學方法,並可應用於活體之氧濃度量測。而應用此一原理發展二維之氧濃度分佈造影系統,對研究組織中微血管系統氧氣之輸送動力學有極大的助益。我們藉由高速之ICCD攝影機,考慮特定使用之磷光分子對氧焠冷之動力常數與其在無氧狀態時之磷光生命期,設定ICCD攝影機之取光樣的延滯啓動時間順序,以完整擷取造影區中每一影點在不同ICCD啓動時間相對應之磷光強度。由數位儲存之磷光強度影像,於每一影點以單指數衰退計算,將磷光強度轉換為生命期。最後,以Stern-Volmer方程式為基礎,由磷光生命期計算出相應之氧濃度分佈影像。我們以兩種多glutamate樹狀修飾之鈀紫質為研究使用之磷光分子。並使用其中一種命名為Oxyphor R2之可見光激發的磷光分子注射於老鼠體內,以磷光造影系統監測其肝臟氧含量在缺血及再灌流狀況下之變化。實驗所得之即時氧氣分佈影像顯示,肝臟中氧含量在缺血後之再灌流期間,只有暫時性的回復,並不能完全回復到缺血前之氧含量;此結論與缺血及再灌流下肝臟血流回復狀態相似吻合。另一種名為Oxyphor G2之磷光分子,因其具備近紅外光激發之光譜特性,同時其對氧焠冷之動力常數不受環境酸鹼度的影響,這些特性驗證其應為一相當適合活體組織氧濃度測量之磷光分子,而近紅外光對組織之高穿透性的性質,更使Oxyphor 2特別適用於組織深部之氧濃度的造影與分析。
Oxygen-dependent quenching of phosphorescence has been validated as a useful and essentially noninvasive optical method for measuring oxygen both in vitro and in vivo. The capability of imaging oxygen distribution based on phosphorescence quenching provides a highly useful tool for investigation of oxygen delivery in tissues at the microvascular level. We demonstrated the implementation of a phosphorescence imaging system incorporating an intensified, gated, monochrome CCD camera which equips a red sensitive Gen Ⅲ cathode and power supply. By selecting of the delay time sequence for phosphorescence imaging in accordance with the quenching constant and lifetime at zero oxygen of used phosphor, a series of phosphorescence intensity images corresponding to the oxygen pressures within the region of interest would be acquired and digitized. The phosphorescence lifetimes were converted form the digitized intensity levels pixel by pixel upon the assumption of single exponential decay of phosphorescence. Thus, the oxygen distribution of interested area could be calculated from the phosphorescence lifetime map in virtue of well-defined Stern-Volmer equation. Two new phosphors of Generation 2 polyglutamic Pd-porphyrin-dendrimers were used in present study, which have high water solubility and intend to stay in blood circulation without extravasating through the vascular membrane. A Pd-meso-tetra-(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin based phosphor termed Oxyphor G2 was used in testing of the instrument. The changes of hepatic oxygen pressure under the portal triad clamping model (PTC model) of ischemia and subsequent reperfusion were real-time monitored by phosphorescence imaging. The images indicated a transient recovery of hepatic oxygen level during the reperfusion following the PTC ligation. The lack of complete restoration of oxygen level has been implicated to the similar pattern of hepatic blood flow observed during reperfusion in previous reports. The other phosphor Oxyphor G2, derived from Pd-meso-tetra-(4-carboxyphenyl) tetrabenzoporphyrin, was recognized by its near infrared spectral characteristic. The calibration of Oxyphor G2 illustrated the independence of quenching constant to pH in the physiological range (6.4 to 7.8) and as such to make it a suitable phosphor for oxygen measurements, especially for those at depth in tissue.