Thermal-light full-field optical coherence tomography

We have built a high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, based on a Linnik-type interference microscope, illuminated by a white-light thermal lamp. The extremely short coherence length of the illumination source and the large aperture of the objectives permit resolution close to 1 microm in three dimensions. A parallel detection scheme with a CCD camera provides cross-section (x-y) image acquisition without scanning at a rate of up to 50 Hz. To our knowledge, our system has the highest resolution demonstrated to date for OCT imaging. With identical resolution in three dimensions, realistic volume rendering of structures inside biological tissues is possible.     

Polarization-sensitive full-field optical coherence tomography

We present a polarization-sensitive full-field optical coherence tomography system that can produce high-resolution images of the linear retardance and reflectivity properties of biological media. En face images can be delivered at a frame rate of 3.5 Hz by combination of interferometric images acquired by two CCD cameras in an interference microscope illuminated with a tungsten halogen lamp. Isotropic spatial resolution of approximately 1.0 microm is achieved. The technique is demonstrated on ex vivo muscle tissues.     

Stroboscopic ultrahigh-resolution full-field optical coherence tomography

We present a new technique that produces en face tomographic images with a 10-micros acquisition time per image. The setup consists of an interference microscope with stroboscopic illumination provided by a xenon arc flash lamp (10-micros flashes at 15 Hz). The tomographic images are obtained from two phase-opposed interferometric images recorded simultaneously by two synchronized CCD cameras. Transverse resolution better than 1.0 microm is achieved by use of high-numerical-aperture microscope objectives. The short coherence length of the source yields an axial resolution of 0.9 microm. 3 x 3 pixel binning leads to a detection sensitivity of 71 dB. Our system is suitable for various applications, particularly in biology for in vivo cellular-level imaging.     

全场光学相干层析成像系统的研制

研制了一套采用旋转1/2波片无色散移相器进行移相操作的全场光学相干层析成像系统.该移相器能在宽光谱范围内无色散地获得8倍于1/2波片旋转角的移相量,能快速、方便地为各种移相算法提供所需的移相量.移相量实测结果表明：系统获得了8倍旋转角的移相量,提出的移相器结构正确.采用Hariharan移相算法对反射镜样品进行的成像实验表明系统具有较高的移相精度.最后进行的实物样品成像实验,检验了系统的有效性. 关键词： 全场光学相干层析成像 无色散移相器 旋转1/2波片     

An efficient algorithm used for full-field optical coherence tomography

An efficient algorithm for computing optical coherence tomography is presented, which is based on the discrete differences of a time/depth sequence of interferograms. The existing multiple-step phase-shift algorithms, including those solved from Carré and Hariharan equations as well as circular-step algorithm proposed by Dubois et al., are analyzed and compared with the proposed algorithm. The analytical and experimental results show the computational efficiency of the new algorithm outperforms others. The simulations also demonstrate that the algorithm based on derivatives of four phase-shifted images is less sensitive to the phase-shift noise comparing to traditional 4-step phase-shift-based algorithm.     

Ultrahigh-resolution full-field optical coherence tomography using spatial coherence gating and quasi-monochromatic illumination

We developed an ultrahigh-resolution full-field optical coherence tomography (FF-OCT) microscope that is based on the spatial, rather than the temporal, coherence gating. The microscope is capable of observing three-dimensional microbiological structures as small as 0.4 μm × 0.4 μm × 1.0 μm (xyz) using quasi-monochromatic light and a liquid crystal retarder. Unlike traditional FF-OCT systems, this microscope can be operated in high resolution for any preferable wavelength with minimized defocusing and dispersion effects. High-resolution images of an onion cell are presented.     

Micro-spectrometry in the visible range with full-field optical coherence tomography for single absorbing layers

A time-domain full-field OCT adapted to the visible range and with an original configuration using an interferometric objective, that minimizes mechanical vibrations and some settings and that performs imaging without moving the sample, is presented. This setup achieves micrometer scale imaging, 1.5 μm in the axial direction and 1.2 μm in the lateral one. The principle of micro-spectrometry from OCT data by Fourier transform is described and the influence of some key data processing parameters is simulated and discussed. The experimental spectra reconstruction from tomographic data is validated by comparison with transmittance spectra. Imaging and spectra of dyes at a micrometer scale are obtained from the same data volume.     

Tomographic imaging of a suspending single live cell using optical tweezer-combined full-field optical coherence tomography

We propose a label-free depth-resolved tomographic scheme for imaging a single live cell in fluid. This approach utilizes a modified time-domain full-field optical coherence tomography (FF-OCT) system combined with an optical tweezer technique. The optical trap for holding a moving specimen is made by tightly focusing a 1064 nm Q-switching pulsed laser beam with a 1.0 NA microscope objective in the sample arm of the FF-OCT part. By cosharing the probe for both systems, the optical actions of trapping and cellular resolution tomographic imaging could be achieved simultaneously. Feasibility of the combined system is demonstrated by imaging micron-sized polystyrene beads and a living suspension cell in medium.     

Simulation of basic characteristics of single-shot full-field optical coherence tomography using spatially phase-modulated reference light

For the single-shot full-field optical coherence tomography (OCT) using spatially phase-modulated reference light, the basic characteristics have been simulated. At low spatial frequencies, the OCT signal intensity is enhanced twofold owing to subtractions, and with increasing the spatial frequency, the OCT signal intensity decreases 0.636 times at half the Nyquist frequency. OCT signal intensities also depend on orientations in images. Residual noninterference components of signal intensities between adjacent uniform areas increase background noise and reduce the system sensitivity. In the reference light, the optimum phase difference between adjacent uniform areas is 180 deg. Deviations from 180 deg reduce subtracted interference components. It is important that interference intensity, noninterference components and phases between adjacent uniform areas be approximately the same to obtain the OCT image with the reduction of background noise stably.     

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.     

Imaging needle for optical coherence tomography

We describe a miniature optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging needle that can be inserted into solid tissues and organs to permit interstitial imaging of their internal microstructures with micrometer scale resolution and minimal trauma. A novel rotational coupler with a glass capillary tube is also presented that couples light from a rotating single-mode fiber to a stationary one. A prototype needle with a 27-gauge (~410-mum) outer diameter has been developed and is demonstrated for in vivo imaging. The OCT needle can be integrated with standard excisional biopsy devices and used for OCT-guided biopsy.     

Tracking optical coherence tomography

An experimental tracking optical coherence tomography (OCT) system has been clinically tested. The prototype instrument uses a secondary sensing beam and steering mirrors to compensate for eye motion with a closed-loop bandwidth of 1 kHz and tracking accuracy, to within less than the OCT beam diameter. The retinal tracker improved image registration accuracy to <1 transverse pixel (<60 microm). Composite OCT images averaged over multiple scans and visits show a sharp fine structure limited only by transverse pixel size. As the resolution of clinical OCT systems improves, the capability to reproducibly map complex structures in the living eye at high resolution will lead to improved understanding of disease processes and improved sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic procedures.     

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.     

Second-harmonic optical coherence tomography

Second-harmonic optical coherence tomography, which uses coherence gating of second-order nonlinear optical responses of biological tissues for imaging, is described and demonstrated. Femtosecond laser pulses were used to excite second-harmonic waves from collagen harvested from rat tail tendon and a reference non-linear crystal. Second-harmonic interference fringe signals were detected and used for image construction. Because of the strong dependence of second-harmonic generation on molecular and tissue structures, this technique imparts contrast and resolution enhancement to conventional optical coherence tomography.     

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.     

Two-wavelength optical coherence tomography

We present the results of studies of the basic principles and describe the design of a low-coherence two-wavelength interferometer based on polarization-maintaining fiber. The interferometer was developed for optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of the internal structure of living biological tissue simultaneously at two wavelengths, 830 and 1300 nm. Images of several sites of living biological tissue are presented and analyzed.     

Holoscopy--holographic optical coherence tomography

Scanning optical coherence tomography (OCT) is limited in sensitivity and resolution by the restricted focal depth of the confocal detection scheme. Holoscopy, a combination of holography and Fourier-domain full-field OCT, is proposed as a way to detect photons from all depths of a sample volume simultaneously with uniform sensitivity and lateral resolution, even at high NAs. By using the scalar diffraction theory, as frequently applied in digital holographic imaging, we fully reconstruct the object field with depth-invariant imaging quality. In vivo imaging of human skin is demonstrated with an image quality comparable to conventionally scanned OCT.     

In vivo imaging of dynamic biological specimen by real-time single-shot full-field optical coherence tomography

We demonstrate the feasibility of a compact single-shot full-field time domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) for imaging dynamic biological sample in real-time. The system is based on a Linnik type polarization Michelson interferometer and a four-quadrature phase-stepper optics, which can simultaneously capture four quadraturely phase-stepped interferograms on a single CCD. Using a superluminescent diode as light source with center wavelength of 842 nm and spectral width of 16.2 nm, the system yields an axial resolution of 19.8 μm, and covers a field of view of 280 × 320 μm² (220 × 250 pixels) with a transverse resolution of 4.4 μm by using a 10× microscope objective (0.3 NA). Three-dimensional OCT images of biological samples such as an onion slice and a diaptomus were obtained without any image averaging or pixel binning. In addition, in vivo depth resolved dynamic imaging was demonstrated to show the beating internal structure of a diaptomus with a fame rate of 5 fps.     

Attenuation compensation for optical coherence tomography imaging

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive technique that provides micrometer-scale imaging of tissue. As most biological tissues are considered turbid, it causes attenuation of the OCT signal and limits the depth penetration. Although a few algorithms had been developed to compensate the attenuation, almost all of them need to extract the scattering parameters before doing the compensation procedure. Because the real biological samples are anisotropic and multilayer-like structure, it is not time-efficient to model and solve these scattering parameters. This paper introduces a new method to compensate the OCT signal attenuation in depth. By analyzing the input signal, a compensation function is adaptively derived for each A-scan line, which can be used effectively to compensate the energy loss in the large sections and enhance the details in the deep, dark-like areas. Three bio-samples, a piece of onion, a Poecilia Wingei fish and a piece of rabbit abdominal aorta, were used to test our method. OCT images obtained by a swept-source OCT system were processed by the proposed method. Results show the visualization of structures in OCT images has been evidently improved, especially in deep region.     

Optimal interferometer designs for optical coherence tomography

We introduce a family of power-conserving fiber-optic interferometer designs for low-coherence reflectometry that use optical circulators, unbalanced couplers, and (or) balanced heterodyne detection. Simple design equations for optimization of the signal-to-noise ratio of the interferometers are expressed in terms of relevant signal and noise sources and measurable system parameters. We use the equations to evaluate the expected performance of the new configurations compared with that of the standard Michelson interferometer that is commonly used in optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems. The analysis indicates that improved sensitivity is expected for all the new interferometer designs, compared with the sensitivity of the standard OCT interferometer, under high-speed imaging conditions.