The sidestream dark-field (SDF) imaging allows direct visualization of red blood cells in microvessels near tissue surfaces. We have developed an image-based oximetry method using two-band images obtained by SDF imaging (SDF oximetry) and a trial SDF device with light-emitting diodes to obtain band images. In this study, we propose a technique of producing oxygen saturation (SO2) maps from SDF images and perform animal experiments in vivo. To produce SO2 maps, we use spectral analysis using two band images obtained with our SDF device. As an image processing, the combination of both the Hessian-based and pixel value-based techniques as blood vessel extraction from an SDF image is used. From the experiment with the surface of rat small intestines, we can produce SO2 maps and find that the map represents arterioles and venules those were determined based on the blood ow from SDF images. Moreover, we find the variation of SO2 along a blood vessel running direction.
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