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。     

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。     

Signal Processing Scheme for Increasing System Resolution in Determination of the Scattering Position in an OCT System

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A combined multiple-SLED broadband light source at 1300 nm for high resolution optical coherence tomography

We demonstrate a compact, inexpensive, and reliable fiber-coupled light source with broad bandwidth and sufficient power at 1300 nm for high resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging in real-time applications. By combining four superluminescent diodes (SLEDs) with different central wavelengths, the light source has a bandwidth of 145 nm centered at 1325 nm with over 10 mW of power. OCT images of an excised stage 30 embryonic chick heart acquired with our combined SLED light source (<5 μm axial resolution in tissue) are compared with images obtained with a single SLED source (∼10 μm axial resolution in tissue). The high resolution OCT system with the combined SLED light source provides better image quality (smaller speckle noise) and a greater ability to observe fine structures in the embryonic heart.     

光源对相干层析系统特性的影响

在分析相干层析系统成像机理的基础上，从理论上研究了光源对系统成像特性的影响，在考虑干涉条纹的强度用概率函数处理的条件下，由分析得出相干层析成像系统相当于一个复振幅的线性空间不变系统，从而给出相干函数和光源的功率谱密度之间的关系。通过对使用不同光源的系统相干传递函数比较，得出了采用具有较大线宽的低相干光源，系统的空间分辨率更好，可使测量更精确的结论。本文的工作为光学相干层析成像系统的优化设计提供了理论依据。     

基于光程编码与相干合成的三维超分辨术

光学相干层析成像的轴向分辨率和横向分辨率是互为独立的,其轴向分辨率由系统光源带宽和探测光束的聚焦条件共同决定,而横向分辨率由系统样品臂的聚焦条件决定. 提高光学相干层析成像的轴向分辨率的方法主要基于宽带光源技术以及变迹术与相干门相结合的方法,而这些方法对于横向分辨率并没有提高. 提出了一种通过光程编码与相干合成的方法,可以同时提高其轴向分辨率和横向分辨率. 通过在光学相干层析成像系统的样品臂中加入光程编码分束器形成多种对应不同光程延迟的有效响应函数,基于光学相干层析成像术固有的光程分辨能力可以得到同一样品对应于不同有效响应函数的多幅图像. 通过数字控制不同有效响应函数的相对贡献对其进行相干合成,可以同时实现轴向和横向的超分辨效果. 与以前的方法相比,光程编码与相干合成方法简单易行、成本低廉,不仅可以避免系统复杂和价格昂贵等不足,而且可以同时较大幅度地提高系统的轴向分辨率和横向分辨率. 关键词： 光学相干层析成像 轴向超分辨 横向超分辨 光程编码     

Micromotor endoscope catheter for in vivo, ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography

A distally actuated, rotational-scanning micromotor endoscope catheter probe is demonstrated for ultrahigh-resolution in vivo endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. The probe permits focus adjustment for visualization of tissue morphology at varying depths with improved transverse resolution compared with standard OCT imaging probes. The distal actuation avoids nonuniform scanning motion artifacts that are present with other probe designs and can permit a wider range of imaging speeds. Ultrahigh-resolution endoscopic imaging is demonstrated in a rabbit with <4-microm axial resolution by use of a femtosecond Cr:forsterite laser light source. The micromotor endoscope catheter probe promises to improve OCT imaging performance in future endoscopic imaging applications.     

Advantages of Adaptive Speckle Filtering Prior to Application of Iterative Deconvolution Methods for Optical Coherent Tomography Imaging

The axial resolution of optical coherence tomography (OCT) is closely related to the light source spectrum width. Unfortunately, most basic sources providing the required power for decent OCT image have narrow spectra, which generate a resolution loss. Assuming the OCT system is linear shift-invariant, we can consider the system output as the convolution of the theoretical signal with a system impulse response due to this spectrum narrowness. It becomes then possible to enhance this resolution through iterative deconvolution methods (IDM). However those methods have a significant drawback, as they usually significantly enhance speckle, which is another consequence of the source spectrum narrowness. To compensate this, we rely on preliminary speckle filtering, and especially the adaptative ones, which allow tackling the speckle without blurring the image. We first studied enhancement proposed by most popular IDMs on OCT images, and then the effect of preliminary adaptive speckle filtering (ASF) by different common adaptive methods. Then, among those methods, we combined Frost filter and Richardson-Lucy deconvolution in the appropriated way; this way we both enhanced resolution by 2 and reduced speckle (raising CNR from 0.7 to 1.3)     

基于子谱分析的白光频域OCT

为了提高频域OCT系统轴向分辨率和信噪比,提出了一种采用白光光源的频域OCT系统,研究了所用的CCD相机的横向像素数、白光光源的光谱与系统轴向分辨率之间的关系,建立了一种基于子谱分析的白光频域OCT系统。通过选择所需的白光光源及其接收频段,既能保证最大探测深度和高轴向分辨率,又能提高信噪比。实验结果验证了所提出的光源的相干长度和系统及图像轴向分辨率测量方法,证明了白光频域OCT的可行性。     

基于受激辐射信号的谱域光学相干层析分子成像方法

鉴于不同生理病理状态下组织复折射率实部的变化不大,传统光学相干层析(OCT)成像技术在分子特异性识别上存在先天不足.为此,本文提出了基于受激辐射信号的OCT成像方法,可在实现传统散射成像的同时,实现基于受激辐射信号的分子成像.在超高分辨率谱域OCT系统的基础上,通过增设光谱分光与调制抽运光支路,建立了基于单宽谱光源的抽运探测谱域OCT系统,详细推导了调制抽运下受激辐射信号的获取与成像公式.利用搭建的抽运探测谱域OCT系统,实现了瞬态受激辐射信号的相干探测.基于同时获取的受激辐射OCT信号和传统OCT信号,成功重构了氮化物粉末构建样品的基于受激辐射信号的分子对比OCT图像.     

Submicrometer axial resolution optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) with unprecedented submicrometer axial resolution achieved by use of a photonic crystal fiber in combination with a compact sub-10-fs Ti:sapphire laser (Femtolasers Produktions) is demonstrated for what the authors believe is the first time. The emission spectrum ranges from 550 to 950 nm (lambda(c)=725 nm , P(out)=27 mW) , resulting in a free-space axial OCT resolution of ~0.75 mum , corresponding to ~0.5 mum in biological tissue. Submicrometer-resolution OCT is demonstrated in vitro on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells HT-29. This novel light source has great potential for development of spectroscopic OCT because its spectrum covers the absorption bands of several biological chromophores.     

双光栅快速扫描光学延迟线的色散补偿

光学相干层析成像(OCT)系统的纵向分辨力不仅与光源的带宽有关,而且与系统中两干涉臂间的色散匹配有关。如果色散没有得到精确匹配,将使光学相干层析成像系统的纵向分辨力达不到所预期的理论值。色散问题在超高分辨光学相干层析成像系统中尤为突出。提出了一种基于双光栅快速扫描光学延迟线(RSOD),用于光学相干层析成像系统的色散补偿。该方法中新增的光栅引入了光栅间距这一独立变量,其与常规单光栅快速扫描光学延迟线机构中的光栅离焦量一起,可使光学相干层析成像系统中的群速度色散(GVD)和三阶色散(TOD)同时得到补偿。分析了双光栅快速扫描光学延迟线的色散特性和色散调节原则,并提供了一个典型光学相干层析成像系统中的色散补偿实例。     

Compact,low-cost Ti:Al2O3 laser for in vivo ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography

A compact, low-cost, prismless Ti:Al2O3 laser with 176-nm bandwidth (FWHM) and 20-mW output power was developed. Ultrahigh-resolution ophthalmic optical coherence tomography (OCT) ex vivo imaging in an animal model with approximately 1.2-microm axial resolution and in vivo imaging in patients with macular pathologies with approximately 3-microm axial resolution were demonstrated. Owing to the pump laser, this light source significantly reduces the cost of broadband OCT systems. Furthermore, the source has great potential for clinical application of spectroscopic and ultrahigh-resolution OCT because of its small footprint (500 mm x 180 mm including the pump laser), user friendliness, stability, and reproducibility.     

新型成像技术的实验系统研究

光学相干层析成像是一种新型成像技术。超辐射发光二极管和超短脉冲飞秒激光是能满足成像系统要求的理想光源。在开展光学相干层析相关技术研究的基础上 ,建立了国内第一台上述两种光源的成像实验研究装置 ,对系统的横向、纵向分辨率等基本性能进行了测定 ;并对多种实际样品进行了层析成像。     

低相干光断层扫描系统的噪声分析与研究

低相干光断层扫描,是近十几年来发展起来集多种前沿科学和技术为一体的超高精度成像技术。介绍了该技术的理论原理及本实验室建立的基于时域线性调制和光纤迈克耳孙干涉仪的低相干光断层扫描系统并给出了初步的实验结果。重点对光源谱型和参考臂扫描速度不均匀性对系统输出信噪比的影响进行了理论模拟计算和实验研究。通过运用傅里叶频谱的分析方法,从工程设计的角度出发给出了基于实验结果的参量特性分析以及这些特性将会给实际光学相干层析系统测量结果带来的影响,从而获得了低相干光断层扫描系统改进的方法。     

光纤干涉仪臂差的测量

用白光干涉和Michelson干涉仪技术测量光纤Michelson干涉仪和Mach-Zehnder干涉仪的臂差.这种方法能在线测量任意长度的光纤干涉仪臂差,包括零臂差,测量的精度由光源的相干长度确定,为微米数量级.     

激光相干层析成像的光散射模拟计算

利用低相干光作为光源的光学相干层析技术是一种新型成像技术。本文利用蒙特－卡罗（Ｍｏｎｔｅ－Ｃａｒｌｏ）模拟计算方法研究了该技术在不同的散射条件下,相干调制信号随散射系数的变化关系,得出了单次散射和多次散射的差别以及它对成像质量的影响,并进一步讨论了利用单次散射和多次散射信号,提高光学相干层析术图像清晰度和信号强度的方法。还研究了光束半径大小对成像分辨率的影响及变化过程,得出了对实验有指导意义的结果     

Interference effects in low coherence interferometry and optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) relies on the construction of two-dimensional images from a series of depth scans. These depth scans are made up of a series of interferograms relating to reflections from individual interfaces within a sample. The theoretical resolution of an OCT system is given as half the coherence length of the light source used and therefore interfaces between layers with different refractive indices, which are separated by less than this distance, cannot be resolved. We consider the occurrence of interference between adjacent interferograms and its consequence in signal, and image interpretation. Computational simulations were created to model two or three interfaces in close proximity such that interference would occur between component interferograms. Further to this, images were acquired of an air wedge between two glass slides that corresponded to the simulations. The results of both the simulated OCT signals and those from the air wedge showed the presence of interference effects that could influence the interpretation of the final (OCT) image.     

Optical coherence tomography (Review)

The basic principles and possibilities of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a method for the investigation of pathologies in medical diagnostics are outlined. We discuss the OCT method limitations and issues related to the need for improving the resolution of optical tomographs. The prospects are considered for developing the OCT methods based on probing with diffraction-free light beams.     

Signal Processing Scheme for Increasing System Resolution in Determination of the Scattering Position in an OCT System

In an OCT sensing system, the optical coherence length of the light source determines the spatial resolution, which is within the range of tens of micrometers. In this paper, by removing high-frequency noise with average operation and fitting the measured discrete sampled data with a continuous function, the theoretical resolution can be improved. The experimental results obtained show the short-term repeatability to be better than 0.4 μm after signal processing.