Multimodal fluorescence lifetime imaging and optical coherence tomography for longitudinal monitoring of tissue-engineered cartilage maturation in a preclinical implantation model.

is demonstrated. Spatial and temporal variation of construct ECM component was detected by FLIm. OCT reveals structural defects (voids and cysts). This multimodal approach has great potential to replace costly destructive tests in the manufacturing of tissue-engineered medical products, facilitating their clinical translation.