Dynamic fluorescence lifetime sensing with CMOS single-photon avalanche diode arrays and deep learning processors

Xiao, Dong and Zang, Zhenya and Sapermsap, Natakorn and Wang, Quan and Xie, Wujun and Chen, Yu and Li, David Day Uei (2021) Dynamic fluorescence lifetime sensing with CMOS single-photon avalanche diode arrays and deep learning processors. Biomedical Optics Express, 12 (6). pp. 3450-3462. ISSN 2156-7085 (https://doi.org/10.1364/BOE.425663)

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Abstract

Measuring fluorescence lifetimes of fast-moving cells or particles have broad applications in biomedical sciences. This paper presents a dynamic fluorescence lifetime sensing (DFLS) system based on the time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) principle. It integrates a CMOS 192 × 128 single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array, offering an enormous photon-counting throughput without pile-up effects. We also proposed a quantized convolutional neural network (QCNN) algorithm and designed a field-programmable gate array embedded processor for fluorescence lifetime determinations. The processor uses a simple architecture, showing unparallel advantages in accuracy, analysis speed, and power consumption. It can resolve fluorescence lifetimes against disturbing noise. We evaluated the DFLS system using fluorescence dyes and fluorophore-tagged microspheres. The system can effectively measure fluorescence lifetimes within a single exposure period of the SPAD sensor, paving the way for portable time-resolved devices and shows potential in various applications.

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