Simultaneous imaging and measurement of tensile stress on cornea by using a common-path optical coherence tomography system with an external contact reference

The objective of this study is to demonstrate that tensile stress resulting due to applied force on cornea can be accurately measured by using a time-domain common-path optical coherence tomography (OCT) system with an external contact reference. The unique design of the common-path OCT is utilized to set up an imaging system in which a chicken eye is placed adjacent to a glass plate serving as the external reference plane for the imaging system. As the force is applied to the chicken eye, it presses against the reference glass plate. The modified OCT image obtained is used to calculate the size of contact area, which is then used to derive the tensile stress on the cornea. The drop in signal levels upon contact of reference glass plate with the tissue are extremely sharp because of the sharp decline in reference power levels itself, thus providing us with an accurate measurement of contact area. The experimental results were in good agreement with the numerical predictions. The results of this study might be useful in providing new insights and ideas to improve the precision and safety of currently used ophthalmic surgical techniques. This research outlines a method which could be used to provide high resolution OCT images and a precise feedback of the forces applied to the cornea simultaneously.     

复谱频域OCT成像的研究

采用频域技术的OCT系统，深度扫描信息由背向散射光谱的傅立叶反变换获得，简化了轴向扫描过程，从而使快速OCT成像成为可能．为了实现复杂生物组织的OCT快速成像，消除谱频域OCT的“混叠”现象、重建样品的真实层析结构，本文引入了相移干涉技术，构建了一套满量程复谱频域OCT实验系统，并为系统设计了特殊的分束镜和移相器，为最终实现复杂生物组织的OCT快速成像提供了条件．     

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography imaging with an integrated optics spectrometer

We designed and fabricated an arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) in silicon oxynitride as a spectrometer for spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The AWG has a footprint of only 3.0 cm × 2.5 cm, operates at a center wavelength of 1300 nm, and has 78 nm free spectral range. OCT measurements are performed that demonstrate imaging up to a maximum depth of 1 mm with an axial resolution of 19 μm, both in agreement with the AWG design parameters. Using the AWG spectrometer combined with a fiber-based SD-OCT system, we demonstrate cross-sectional OCT imaging of a multilayered scattering phantom.     

Endoscopic optical coherence tomography based on a microelectromechanical mirror

An endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) system based on a microelectromechanical mirror to facilitate lateral light scanning is described. The front-view OCT scope, adapted to the instrument channel of a commercial endoscopic sheath, allows real-time cross-sectional imaging of living biological tissue via direct endoscopic visual guidance. The transverse and axial resolutions of the OCT scope are roughly 20 and 10.2mum, respectively. Cross-sectional images of 500x1000 pixels covering an area of 2.9 mmx2.8 mm can be acquired at ~5 frames/s and with nearly 100-dB dynamic range. Applications in thickness measurement and bladder tissue imaging are demonstrated.     

Dual-modality photothermal optical coherence tomography and magnetic-resonance imaging of carbon nanotubes

We demonstrate polyethylene-glycol-coated single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as contrast agents for both photothermal optical coherence tomography (OCT) and magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI). Photothermal OCT was accomplished with a spectral domain OCT system with an amplitude-modulated 750 nm pump beam using 10 mW of power, and T(2) MRI was achieved with a 4.7 T animal system. Photothermal OCT and T(2) MRI achieved sensitivities of nanomolar concentrations to CNTs dispersed in amine-terminated polyethylene glycol, thus establishing the potential for dual-modality molecular imaging with CNTs.     

Forward-imaging instruments for optical coherence tomography

We discuss the design and implementation of forward-imaging instruments for optical coherence tomography (OCT), which require the delivery, scanning, and collection of single-spatial-mode optical radiation. A hand-held surgical probe for use in open surgery can provide cross-sectional images of subsurface tissue before surgical incisions are made. A rigid laparoscope for minimally invasive surgical OCT imaging provides a simultaneous enface view of the area being imaged. OCT imaging is demonstrated on in vitro human specimens.     

In vivo non-mechanical scanning grating-generated optical coherence tomography using an InGaAs digital camera

We demonstrated in vivo cross-sectional imaging of human fingers by non-mechanical scanning optical coherence tomography (OCT), using a diffracted light as the reference beam and a linear illumination beam at a center wavelength of 1.3 μm for deeper penetration into biological tissues. By applying the three-step phase-shifting method, our system can measure OCT images at 10 frames/s with a sensitivity of 90 dB for a 2.45 × 4.80 mm (axial × lateral) measurement range using an InGaAs digital camera (320 × 256 pixels).     

Fourier domain optical coherence tomography using optical demultiplexers imaging at 60,000,000 lines/s

We describe high-speed Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) using optical demultiplexers (ODs) for spectral dispersion. The OD enables separation of a narrow spectral band of 14 GHz (0.11 nm) from a broadband incident light at 256 different frequencies in 25.0 GHz intervals centered at 192.2 THz (1559.8 nm). OCT imaging of 60,000,000 axial scans per second was achieved through parallel signal acquisition using 256 balanced photoreceivers to simultaneously detect all the output signals from the ODs in a Fourier domain OCT system. OCT imaging at a 16 kHz frame rate, 1100 A-lines per frame, 3 mm depth range, and 23 microm resolution was demonstrated using a resonant scanner for lateral scanning.     

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。     

利用变迹术和相干门相结合实现光学相干层析成像术轴向超分辨

光学相十层析成像（光学相干层析成像术）的轴向分辨力由光源带宽和探测光束的聚焦条件共同决定。提高光学相干层析成像术轴向分辨力的方法主要基于带宽光源技术。提出了一种将变迹术与光学相十层析成像术相干门有机结合的方法来提高其轴向分辨力。通过适当形式的光瞳滤波器．使光学相干层析成像术系统轴向响应的主瓣宽度缩小到相干门之内,而其旁瓣则处于相干门之外．不对相干成像产生有效贡献。这样．就能在光源带宽不变的条件下,有效提高光学相十层析成像术的轴向分辨力,避免了采用宽带光源所带来的费用昂贵和系统复杂等缺陷。     

Non-destructive quantification of pharmaceutical tablet coatings using terahertz pulsed imaging and optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI) are two powerful techniques allowing high quality cross-sectional images from within scattering media to be obtained non-destructively. In this paper, we report experimental results of using OCT and TPI for quantitatively characterizing pharmaceutical tablet coatings in the thickness range of 10-140 μm. We found that the spectral OCT system developed in-house has an axial resolution of 0.9 μm, and is capable of quantifying very thin coatings in the range of 10-60 μm. The upper limit of 60 μm within the tablet coating and core is owed to the strong scattering of OCT light, which has relatively short wavelengths in the range of 0.5-1.0 μm. On the other hand, TPI utilizes terahertz radiation that has substantially long wavelengths in the range of hundreds of microns, and thus is less prone to the scattering problem. Consequently TPI has been demonstrated to be able to quantify thicker coatings in the range of 40-140 μm and beyond. We concluded that OCT and TPI are two complementary analytical techniques for non-destructive and quantitative characterization of pharmaceutical tablet coatings.     

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.     

Polarisation-sensitive optical coherence tomography for material characterisation and strain-field mapping

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a relatively new imaging technique capable of recording cross-sectional images of transparent and turbid structures with micrometer-scale resolution. Originally developed for biomedical imaging applications, this technique also has a great potential for non-destructive material characterisation and testing. Polarisation-sensitive (PS) OCT is a recent extension of classical OCT that measures and images birefringence properties of a sample, which, however, has not yet been applied to materials science. We present imaging of glass-fibre-enforced epoxy resin compounds and the detection of dry spots, where the epoxy did not properly penetrate the glass-fibre structure. Furthermore, we demonstrate PS-OCT imaging of the birefringence properties of different materials. The mapping of strain fields of samples under uniaxial and non-uniform external stress and the detection of flow patterns in injection-moulded plastic parts could be demonstrated with this technique for the first time. Received: 21 October 2002 / Accepted: 22 November 2002 / Published online: 29 January 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +43-732/9015-5618, E-mail: david.stifter@uar.at     

Adaptive optics optical coherence tomography for retina imaging

When optical coherence tomography (OCT) is used for human retina imaging, its transverse resolution is limited by the aberrations of human eyes. To overcome this disadvantage, a high resolution imaging system for living human retina, which consists of a time domain OCT system and a 37-elements adaptive optics (AO) system, has been developed. The AO closed loop rate is 20 frames per second, and the OCT has a 6.7-μm axial resolution. In this paper, this system is introduced and the high resolution imaging results for retina are presented.     

Spectroscopic optical coherence tomography

Spectroscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT), an extension of conventional OCT, is demonstrated for performing cross-sectional tomographic and spectroscopic imaging. Information on the spectral content of backscattered light is obtained by detection and processing of the interferometric OCT signal. This method allows the spectrum of backscattered light to be measured over the entire available optical bandwidth simultaneously in a single measurement. Specific spectral features can be extracted by use of digital signal processing without changing the measurement apparatus. An ultrabroadband femtosecond Ti:Al(2)O(3) laser was used to achieve spectroscopic imaging over the wavelength range from 650 to 1000 nm in a simple model as well as in vivo in the Xenopus laevis (African frog) tadpole. Multidimensional spectroscopic data are displayed by use of a novel hue-saturation false-color mapping.     

Interstitial Doppler optical coherence tomography

Doppler optical coherence tomography (OCT) can image tissue structure and blood flow at micrometer-scale resolution but has limited imaging depth. We report a novel, linear-scanning, needle-based Doppler OCT system using angle-polished gradient-index or ball-lensed fibers. A prototype system with a 19-guage (diameter of approximately 0.9 mm) echogenic needle is constructed and demonstrates in vivo imaging of bidirectional blood flow in rat leg and abdominal cavity. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of Doppler OCT through a needle probe in interstitial applications to visualize deeply situated microcirculation.     

Fiber-optic-bundle-based optical coherence tomography

A fiber-optic-bundle-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe method is presented. The experimental results demonstrate this multimode optical fiber-bundle-based OCT system can achieve a lateral resolution of 12 microm and an axial resolution of 10 microm with a superluminescent diode source. This novel OCT imaging approach eliminates any moving parts in the probe and has a primary advantage for use in extremely compact and safe OCT endoscopes for imaging internal organs and great potential to be combined with confocal endoscopic microscopy.     

Polarization-Sensitive Spectral Interferometric Optical Coherence Tomography for Human Skin Imaging

Polarization-sensitive spectral interferometric optical coherence tomography (PS-SI-OCT) is designed for imaging of the inner structure of a biological tissue with polarization properties corresponding to Müller matrix elements. With arbitrary polarization state of incident and reference light, the change of polarization state can be acquired, and the axial structure of the tissue is measured by single detection of the power spectrum, superposition of object and reference light. Using with this OCT system, a cross-sectional Müller matrix images of human skin can be observed.     

聚吡咯修饰的金纳米棒对肿瘤的光学相干层析成像的影响

聚吡咯(PPy)制备简单、生物相容性好,且在近红外(NIR)光谱范围内有很强的吸收,可作为一种良好的光热治疗试剂;同时,其NIR光吸收性质也可用于增强光学相干层析成像(OCT)的对比效果。因此,采用PPy对传统的OCT对比试剂——金纳米棒(GNR)进行表面修饰,有望获得对比效果更好且生物毒性较小的新型OCT对比试剂。选用吡咯为起始原料,在GNR表面进行一步简单的氧化聚合反应即可制备得到PPy修饰的金纳米棒(GNR-PPy)。利用紫外-可见吸收光谱,拉曼光谱和透射电子显微镜对制备的样品进行了分析和表征。构建小鼠荷瘤模型,以研究GNR-PPy对肿瘤OCT图像对比度的增强效果。采用中心波长为840 nm的OCT系统对注射了纳米粒子的肿瘤区域进行OCT成像。结果表明,肿瘤组织注射了GNR-PPy后,OCT信号衰减非常明显;与注射了GNR的OCT图像相比,840 nm光在GNR-PPy的OCT图像中的穿透深度明显更低。从OCT图像中抽提出一维的衰减曲线对OCT图像进行定量分析,发现注射有GNR-PPy肿瘤组织的OCT信号衰减系数明显高于注射了GNR的组织。表明,相对于GNR,GNR-PPy具有更好的OCT信号对比效果,这在增强肿瘤成像效果方面具有潜在应用价值。