光纤型光学相干层析成像系统的研制

光学相干层析(OCT)成像技术是一新近发展的高分辨力生物医学成像手段,能非侵入性地对活体内部的结构与生理功能进行可视化观察。采用宽带近红外光源,基于迈克耳孙干涉原理和外差探测方法,建立了单模光纤型光学相干层析成像系统,相干地提取从生物体内部返回的深度分辨的弹性散射光信息,并依此构筑了自然状态下活体组织的二维光学相干层析成像图像和三维光学相干层析成像图像。光纤化设计的光学相干层析成像系统紧凑、灵活,便于与光纤导管、内窥镜和其它成像装置的有机结合,以拓展其观察范围和应用领域。     

Dual-core ytterbium fiber amplifier for high-power 1060 nm swept source multichannel optical coherence tomography imaging

A novel (to our knowledge) dual-core ytterbium (Yb(3+)) doped fiber, as an optically pumped amplifier, boosts the output power from a 1060 nm swept source laser beyond 250 mW, while providing a wavelength tuning range of 93 nm, for optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. The design of the dual-core Yb-doped fiber amplifier and its multiple wavelength optical pumping scheme to optimize output bandwidth are discussed. Use of the dual-core fiber amplifier showed no appreciable degradation to the coherence length of the seed laser. The signal intensity improvement of this amplifier is demonstrated on a multichannel in vivo OCT imaging system at 1060 nm.     

基于拉锥结构的全光纤型内窥OCT探针研究

本文报道了一种基于拉锥结构的全光纤型内窥光学相干层析成像探针. 基于大纤芯多模光纤的低光束发散特性, 使用大纤芯多模光纤代替透镜作为成像元件, 并在单模光纤与大纤芯多模光纤之间引入过渡拉锥段以减少插入损耗. 首先利用光学仿真软件(Rsoft)确定探针的最佳结构, 然后通过拉锥、切割以及熔接工艺实现探针制作, 并对探针的出射光束特性与插入损耗进行测量, 最后将该探针与扫频光学相干层析成像主系统联机, 对人体指尖皮肤及鸡气管壁组织进行成像. 该探针直径为250 μm, 不锈钢保护管外径为325 μm, 硬端长度1 cm, 插入损耗约为0.3 dB, 空气中有效成像范围达800 μm. 该探针为内窥光学相干层析成像技术在心血管疾病的应用提供了高紧凑度、高传输效率与高灵活性的选择.     

Range Technique in Scattering Medium Using a Needle-Fiber Optical Coherence Tomography System

A needle-fiber optical coherence tomography (OCT) system designed for guiding epidural anesthesia to a target is presented. In the preliminary experiment, a desired target in tofu as a strong scattering medium can be monitored over a sufficient range of several millimeters within a short measuring time. The axial resolution is 21 μm. In order to investigate the ranging performance, the relation between background noise levels and focus-scattering properties in a confocal optical system is numerically studied by use of Monte Carlo technique. Numerical results indicate that an appropriate focal length of the lens attached to the fiber should be used to separate the OCT signal from strong noise in strongly scattered medium.     

A fiber-based single-unit dual-mode optical Imaging system: Swept source optical coherence tomography and fluorescence spectroscopy

We propose a fiber optic single-unit but dual-mode optical imaging system that can provide fast cross-sectional imaging capabilities of swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and functional capabilities of fluorescence spectroscopy (FS). By adopting a fiber optic FS system into a fiber-based SS-OCT system, a compact and effective multimodal single-unit SSOCT-FS system is achieved. Here, the key element of the proposed multimodal imaging system is a specially designed fiber coupler based on double-clad fiber (DCF), which has only cladding-mode coupling capability. The DCF couplers are fabricated with home-drawn DCF by several fabrication methods; a twisting method, a side-polishing method and a fused biconical tapered (FBT) method. Experimentally, the FBT method provides rather flat cladding mode coupling efficiency over 40% in a wide wavelength range. With this specially designed DCF coupler, the OCT signal and the fluorescence signal is measured independently but with a single-unit system. The performance of the SSOCT-FS system is confirmed by measuring the cross-sectional image and the fluorescence signal of a photosensitizer chlorin e6 injected in-vivo rat tumor model.     

光学相干层析成像系统的蒙特卡罗模拟

将光学相干层析成像系统采样臂的光纤与聚焦系统和被测样品作为一个整体来模拟光学相干层析成像信号的形成机理.通过追迹采样光束中每一光子在聚焦系统和被测样品中的随机传输轨迹,来决定该光子对光学相干层析成像信号是否有贡献及贡献大小.对样品IntralipidTM的模拟结果与实验结果表明：1）高散射系数和弱前向散射是引起光学相干层析成像信号随测量深度增加迅速减弱的主要原因;2）对于确定的聚焦系统,光纤的数值孔径有一最佳取值范围.数值孔径太小,则光学相干层析成像信号很弱;数值孔径超出这一范围继续增大,光学相干层析成像信号变化很小.3）当光纤的光轴偏离聚焦系统的光轴h距离时,光学相干层析成像信号随h的增加而减弱.     

Ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography using continuum generation in an air-silica microstructure optical fiber

We demonstrate ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) using continuum generation in an air-silica microstructure fiber as a low-coherence light source. A broadband OCT system was developed and imaging was performed with a bandwidth of 370 nm at a 1.3-mu;m center wavelength. Longitudinal resolutions of 2.5 microm in air and ~2 microm in tissue were achieved. Ultrahigh-resolution imaging in biological tissue in vivo was demonstrated.     

Optical Coherence Tomography Implemented by Photonic Crystal Fiber

We report a photonic crystal fiber (PCF)-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, in which conventional single-mode fiber for the transmission line and the fiber coupler for the beam splitter/combiner are replaced with PCF and PCF coupler. The PCF coupler fabricated using the fused biconical tapered (FBT) method showed a nearly flat coupling ratio over a broad spectral bandwidth of 400 nm, which provided an axial resolution of 3-μm for OCT imaging. With a white-light source, the 8-μm thick air gap between two stacked cover glasses was measured, and with a conventional superluminecent diode (SLD) source, the in vitro images of rat eye and Misgurnus mizolepis skin were successfully obtained. The PCF and PCF coupler might enable a white-light as the source for the cost effective and high-resolution OCT system.     

Strained Chirped Fiber Bragg Gratings Based all-fiber Variable Optical Delay Line for Optical Coherence Tomography

We present the novel all-fiber optical delay line that can be realized by exploiting the fundamental distributive reflection characteristics of a chirped fiber Bragg gratings (CFBG). With the assist of a strained CFBG and a designed fiber stretcher, the proposed delay line could perform the function (such as attainment of variable large enough optical delay without dispersion mismatch) of the conventional optical delay line within the optical fiber. While the strained CFBG produced 3.1 mm optical delay, the pair of CFBGs in the opposite direction can manage dispersion imbalance of the delay line. The use of the PZT-based fiber stretcher can enable depth scanning at a high repetition rate for real-time imaging. The performance of the delay element is demonstrated with measured experimental results. OCT system embedded with the all-fiber variable optical delay line showed the axial resolution of 100 μm and the dynamic range of 50 dB. The implemented system was used for the imaging of a biomedical sample, which proves the utility of the proposed delay element as a promising alternative of optical delay line.     

The potential optical coherence tomography in tooth bleaching quantitative assessment

In this paper, we report the outcomes from a pilot study on using OCT functional imaging method to evaluate and quantify color alteration in the human teeth in vitro. The image formations of the dental tissues without and with treatment 35% hydrogen peroxide were obtained by an OCT system at a 1310 nm central wavelength. One parameter for the quantification of optical properties from OCT measurements is introduced in our study: attenuate coefficient (μ). And the attenuate coefficient have significant decrease (p < 0.001) in dentine as well as a significant increase (p < 0.001) in enamel was observed during tooth bleaching process. From the experimental results, it is found that attenuate coefficient could be useful to assess color alteration of the human tooth samples. OCT has a potential to become an effective tool for the assessment tooth bleaching. And our experiment offer a now method to evaluate color change in visible region by quantitative analysis of the infrared region information from OCT.     

Fiber type of optical coherence tomography with an auto-focus device

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel technique for non-invasive imaging based on low coherence interferometer. In this study, we develop a new optical fiber type of OCT with a commercial auto-focus device to simultaneously measure the refractive index and thickness of a single-layer for demonstration. An auto-focus device can be easily implemented into the new OCT in order to diminish the measurement error resulting from the slight vibration of the sample and/or the sample stage. However, if the conventional OCT is implemented with an auto-focus device, it would be extremely difficult in locating and controlling the positions of the sample and scanning stages.From the experimental results, the error percentage from various frequency of the simulated noise is almost under 0.4%. Due to the resonance frequency of a DVD pickup head is around 40 Hz, the error percentage is apparently highest up to 1%; however still acceptable. It is concluded that the auto-focus device indeed works in an OCT system.     

Real-time, ultrahigh-resolution, optical coherence tomography with an all-fiber, femtosecond fiber laser continuum at 1.5 microm

Real-time, ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) is demonstrated in the 1.4-1.7-microm wavelength region with a stretched-pulse, passively mode-locked, Er-doped fiber laser and highly nonlinear fiber. The fiber laser generates 100-mW, linearly chirped pulses at a 51-MHz repetition rate. The pulses are compressed and then coupled into a normally dispersive highly nonlinear fiber to generate a low-noise supercontinuum with a 180-nm FWHM bandwidth and 38 mW of output power. This light source is stable, compact, and broadband, permitting high-speed, real-time, high-resolution OCT imaging. In vivo high-speed OCT imaging of human skin with approximately 5.5-microm resolution and 99-dB sensitivity is demonstrated.     

适合于内窥成像的共路型光学相干层析成像系统

提出了一种采用光纤型迈克耳孙干涉仪进行光程补偿的菲佐型光学相干层析成像(OCT)系统.该系统的传感探头为共路干涉结构,以解决现有内窥光学相干层析成像系统中存在的探头运动导致图像失真、以及更换使用不同探头时需进行色散和偏振态调节等问题.光程补偿和振动干扰实验结果表明,光程补偿方法正确可行,系统对环境干扰不敏感.利用研制的系统对反射镜和近红外卡进行了成像实验,验证了系统的有效性.提出的方法非常适合于内窥成像,并给出了把系统扩展为内窥光学相干层析成像系统的具体实现过程.     

光学相干层析术用于鲜红斑痣诊断

光学相干层析术(optical coherence tomography,简称OCT)具有非侵入性,高分辨及高速成像的优点,特别适合于生物医学领域。但由于大部分生物组织具高散射系数,通常仅能对表层组织下数毫米深度内进行成像。穿透深度不足限制了OCT在皮肤科等领域应用。作为常见多发病的鲜红斑痣具有病变组织浅,血管增生明显等特点,所以OCT非常适于鲜红斑痣的检测。通过选择皮肤穿透性好的中心波长为1310nm超辐射二极管,合理优化样品臂和参考臂光强比例及偏振控制,实现了对鲜红斑痣在体成像研究,采集了清晰的OCT图像,得到其关键特征参数,如表皮层厚度,血管直径等,对鲜红斑痣的诊断及制定合理治疗方案具有重要意义。     

Effect of multimodal coupling in imaging micro-endoscopic fiber bundle on optical coherence tomography

The effect of higher-order modes in fiber bundle imager-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been theoretically modeled using coupled fiber mode analysis ignoring the polarization and core size variation in order to visualize the pure effect of multimodal coupling of the imaging bundle. In this model, the optical imaging fiber couples several higher-order modes in addition to the fundamental one due to its high numerical aperture for achieving light confinement to the single core pixel. Those modes become evident in a distance domain using A-mode (depth) OCT based on a mirror sample experiment where multiple peaks are generated by the spatial convolution and coherence function of the light source. The distance between the peaks corresponding to each mode can be estimated by considering the effective indices of coupled (guided) modes obtained from numerically solving the fiber mode characteristics equations and the fiber length. The results have been compared for various types (fiber dimensions and wavelengths) and lengths of fibers, which have mode separation of 715 μm (1404 μm) and 764 μm (1527 μm) for the measurement and analysis, respectively in a 152.5 mm (305 mm)-long imaging fiber.     

Detection Schemes for Optical-Coherence-Domain Imaging of Biological Tissues

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel imaging modality based on low-coherence interferometry. This paper summarizes some of our latest work on the development of OCT where we have taken two approaches. In the first approach we have developed a phase-drift-suppression method for stable heterodyne detection in the presence of phase fluctuations. In the second approach we have concentrated on the development of two-dimensional heterodyne detection techniques for real-time imaging. A novel detection scheme has been proposed, which enables parallel heterodyne detection with a commercially available imager such as a charge-coupled-device camera. Meanwhile, a non-scanning OCT system configuration based on off-axis interferometry is being studied. Using a newly developed angular-dispersion imaging scheme, we show that the axial reflectance profile in OCT measurement can be detected instantaneously with a sensor array.     

OCT技术在发育生物学中的应用

基于光学低相干反射测量而发展起来的光学相干层析技术（ Optica1 Coherence Tomography,OCT）是一种新型的成像技术，它可以对强散射介质如生物组织实施非侵入性的快速活体成像。与传统的组织切片相比,OTC可以大大减少对发育形态成像所需的时间、复杂程度及成本。非接触和非侵入式的成像方式有助于研究个体发育中由基因变异所引起的形态和功能变化，因而在发育生物学的研究当中有着广阔的应用前景。概述了OCT技术在发育生物学当中诸方面的应用情况。     

Multiscale multimodal imaging with multiphoton microscopy and optical coherence tomography

A multiscale multiphoton microscopy (MPM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) system has been developed using a sub-10 fs Ti:sapphire laser. The system performs cross-sectional OCT imaging over millimeter field-of-view and en-face high-resolution MPM imaging with submicrometer resolution from the same sample location. With fish cornea, we have demonstrated cross-sectional imaging of cornea tissue layers using OCT, and the zoom-in imaging of cells and collagen fibers in each layer using MPM. The multiscale MPM/OCT system shows the potential of a rapid coarse scan to search for abnormal regions and the subsequent fine zoom-in imaging for diagnosis.     

Beyond biomedicine: a review of alternative applications and developments for optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT), a method for depth-resolved imaging within turbid media based on the concept of low-coherence interferometry, rapidly evolved in the recent years with the development of a multitude of new functionalities and modalities. Biomedical research and diagnostics have been up to now the main driving forces for the reported applications and progress in OCT. The characteristics of OCT, precisely the ability to provide high-resolution images in a contact-free way, render this technique also attractive for a broad spectrum of research topics and applications outside the biomedical field. Consequently, a variety of novel applications for OCT and developments for the method itself have started to emerge. In this review we will give a detailed overview of the so far presented OCT-based methods and applications, ranging from dimensional metrology, material research and non-destructive testing, over art diagnostics, botany, microfluidics to data storage and security applications, and include new data from a study on penetration depths in various polymer materials as well as on birefringence imaging of different crystalline polymer structures. Finally, advanced and related OCT techniques are presented with high potential for future applications outside the biomedical field. PACS 01.30.Rr; 42.30.Wb; 42.40.My     

Forward imaging OCT endoscopic catheter based on MEMS lens scanning

This Letter reports a fully packaged microelectromechanical system (MEMS) endoscopic catheter for forward imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT). Two-dimensional optical scanning of Lissajous patterns was realized by the orthogonal movement of two commercial aspherical glass lenses laterally mounted on two resonating electrostatic MEMS microstages at low operating voltages. The MEMS lens scanner was integrated on a printed circuit board and packaged with an aluminum housing, a gradient index fiber collimator, and an objective lens. A home-built spectral-domain OCT system with 60 kHz A-line acquisition rate was combined with the endoscopic MEMS catheter. Three-dimensional images of 256×256×995 voxels were directly reconstructed by mapping the A-line datasets along the Lissajous patterns. The endoscopic catheter can provide a new direction for forward endoscopic OCT imaging.