Comparison of OPS imaging and conventional capillary microscopy to study the human microcirculation

Orthogonal polarization spectral (OPS) imaging is a new clinical technique for observation of the microcirculation of organ surfaces. For validation p urposes, we compared OPS images of the nailfold skin with those obtained fr om conventional capillary microscopy at rest and during venous occlusion in 10 male volunteers. These images were computer analyzed to provide red blo od cell velocity and capillary diameters of the same nailfold capillaries a t rest and during venous occlusion. Results showed that OPS images provided similar values for red blood cell velocity and capillary diameter as those obtained from capillary microscopy images. OPS imaging, however, provided significantly better image quality, as shown by comparison of image contras t between OPS imaging and capillary microscopy. This made image analysis be tter and easier to perform. It is anticipated, therefore, that OPS imaging will become a new and powerful technique in the study of the human microcir culation in vivo because it can be used on human internal organs.