Depth-resolved birefringence and differential optical axis orientation measurements with fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

Conventional polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) can provide depth-resolved Stokes parameter measurements of light reflected from turbid media. A new algorithm that takes into account changes in the optical axis is introduced to provide depth-resolved birefringence and differential optical axis orientation images by use of fiber-based PS-OCT. Quaternion, a convenient mathematical tool, is used to represent an optical element and simplify the algorithm. Experimental results with beef tendon and rabbit tendon and muscle show that this technique has promising potential for imaging the birefringent structure of multiple-layer samples with varying optical axes.     

全光纤频域光学相干层析成像系统优化研究

针对频域光学相干层析(SD-OCT)系统特有硬件(线阵CCD及分光光栅)参数对成像质量造成的影响,展开了对基于光纤的频域OCT系统中硬件参量的模拟和优化工作,分析了分光计中CCD线列阵像素数及数字化深度、CCD安装偏差等因素对OCT成像质量的影响,并对光谱像素图定位进行了修正.研究表明:纵向分辨率不受CCD线列阵像素数的影响,CCD线列阵像素数的增多将线性地增大最大测量深度;CCD数字化深度小于6 bit将直接导致系统纵向分辨率的锐减;线阵CCD偏离聚焦透镜焦面将导致点扩展函数的强度减弱、系统分辨率降低;在较小角度内转动CCD,将使纵向分辨率得到提高;采用氖灯光谱进行像素图定位校正之后,可以相应地提高系统分辨率.部分模拟结论得到实验验证.采用此模拟优化结果,可根据OCT成像的具体要求对系统硬件参量进行优化选择.     

Micromachined array tip for multifocus fiber-based optical coherence tomography

High-resolution optical coherence tomography demands a large detector bandwidth and a high numerical aperture for real-time imaging, which is difficult to achieve over a large imaging depth. To resolve these conflicting requirements we propose a novel multifocus fiber-based optical coherence tomography system with a micromachined array tip. We demonstrate the fabrication of a prototype four-channel tip that maintains a 9-14-microm spot diameter with more than 500 microm of imaging depth. Images of a resolution target and a human tooth were obtained with this tip by use of a four-channel cascaded Michelson fiber-optic interferometer, scanned simultaneously at 8 kHz with geometric power distribution across the four channels.     

Optic axis determination accuracy for fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

We present a generalized analysis of fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography with an emphasis on determination of sample optic axis orientation. The polarization properties of a fiber-based system can cause an overall rotation in a Poincaré sphere representation such that the plane of possible measured sample optic axes for linear birefringence and diattenuation no longer lies in the QU-plane. The optic axis orientation can be recovered as an angle on this rotated plane, subject to an offset and overall indeterminacy in sign such that only the magnitude, but not the direction, of a change in orientation can be determined. We discuss the accuracy of optic axis determination due to a fundamental limit on the accuracy with which a polarization state can be determined as a function of signal-to-noise ratio.     

In vitro birefringence imaging with spectral domain polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

Spectral domain polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography （SDPS-OCT） is a depth-resolved polarization-sensitive interferometry which integrates polarization optics into spectral domain optical co- herence tomography （SD-OCT）. This configuration can obtain birefringence information of samples and improve the imaging speed. In this paper, horizontally polarized light is used to replace natural light of the source. Then, right-rotated circularly polarized light is the incident sample light. To obtain two orthogonal components of the polarized interferogram, the reflected light of the reference arm is set to be 45° linearly polarized light. These two components are acquired by two spectrometers synchronously. The system was employed to achieve 12.8μm axial resolution and 4.36μm transverse resolution. We have imaged in vitro chicken tendon and muscle tissues with these svstem.     

Absolute fast axis determination using non-polarization-maintaining fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

We report on a new calibration technique that permits the accurate extraction of sample Jones matrix and hence fast-axis orientation by using fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) that is completely based on non-polarization-maintaining fiber such as SMF-28. In this technique, two quarter-wave plates (QWPs) are used to completely specify the parameters of the system fibers in the sample arm so that the Jones matrix of the sample can be determined directly. The device was validated on measurements of a QWP and an equine tendon sample by a single-mode fiber-based swept-source PS-OCT system.     

Principal-component-analysis-based estimation of blood flow velocities using optical coherence tomography intensity signals

The intensity signal in optical coherence tomography contains information about the translational velocity of scatterers, and can be used to quantify blood flow. We apply principal component analysis to efficiently extract this information. We also study use of nonuniform temporal sampling of the intensity signal to increase the range of quantifiable flow velocities. We demonstrate this technique in simulation, phantom and in vivo blood flow measurements, and highlight its potential to enable three-dimensional wide-field mapping of blood flow using OCT.     

Linear-wavenumber spectrometer for high-speed spectral-domain optical coherence tomography

An equidistant (in the wavenumber) spectrometer based on a diffraction grating, a compensation prism, and a CCD linear array is developed and implemented for spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. A criterion is introduced for estimating the level of residual nonequidistance. This criterion allows one to determine the threshold compensation level necessary for obtaining the spectrally limited spatial resolution. The method is tested in spectral-domain optical coherent tomography systems at wavelengths of 1270 and 830 nm.

     

Rotary mirror array for high-speed optical coherence tomography

We have developed a simple, high-speed, high-duty-cycle, linear optical delay line suitable for optical coherence tomography and optical Doppler tomography. Periodic longitudinal scanning is achieved by use of a tilted mirror array rotating at a constant speed. With a typical motor speed of 4000 rpm, our system has demonstrated a 2-mm axial scanning range, a 2400-Hz repetition rate, 94% duty cycle, and less than 0.1% nonlinear errors. Much higher repetition rates can be readily achieved by use of high-speed motors.     

Invivo depth-resolved birefringence measurements of the human retinal nerve fiber layer by polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of in vivo depth-resolved birefringence measurements of the human retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) by use of polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). Because glaucoma causes nerve fiber layer damage, which may cause loss of retinal birefringence, PS-OCT is a potentially useful technique for the early detection of glaucoma. We built a fiber-based PS-OCT setup that produces quasi-real-time images of the human retina in vivo . Preliminary measurements of a healthy volunteer showed that the double-pass phase retardation per unit depth of the RNFL near the optic nerve head is 39+/-6( degrees )/100microm .     

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.     

Simultaneous optical coherence tomography imaging and beta particle detection

A prototype hybrid catheter device designed for imaging and detection of vascular diseases is introduced. The prototype device integrates a high-resolution optical coherent tomography probe and a high-sensitivity beta detector into a single unit. With this prototype device we demonstrate the feasibility of simultaneous optical coherence tomography imaging and detection of beta particles.     

Two-dimensional birefringence imaging in biological tissue by polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

Using a low-coherence Michelson interferometer, we measure two-dimensional images of optical birefringence in bovine tendon as a function of depth. Polarization-sensitive detection of the signal formed by interference of backscattered light from the sample and a mirror in the reference arm give the optical phase delay between light that is propagating along the fast and slow axes of the birefringent tendon. Images showing the change in birefringence in response to laser irradiation are presented. The technique permits rapid noncontact investigation of tissue structural properties through two-dimensional imaging of birefringence.     

In vivo measurement of retinal physiology with high-speed ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography

Noninvasive in vivo functional optical imaging of the intact retina is demonstrated by using high-speed, ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT). Imaging was performed with 2.8 microm resolution at a rate of 24,000 axial scans per second. A white-light stimulus was applied to the dark-adapted rat retina, and the average reflectivities from different intraretinal layers were monitored as a function of time. A 10%-15% increase in the average amplitude reflectance of the photoreceptor outer segments was observed in response to the stimulus. The spatial distribution of the change in the OCT signal is consistent with an increase in backscatter from the photoreceptor outer segments. To our knowledge, this is the first in vivo demonstration of OCT functional imaging in the intact retina.     

Real-time in vivo imaging by high-speed spectral optical coherence tomography

An improved spectral optical coherence tomography technique is used to obtain cross-sectional ophthalmic images at an exposure time of 64 micros per A-scan. This method allows real-time images as well as static tomograms to be recorded in vivo.     

Simultaneous imaging of human cone mosaic with adaptive optics enhanced scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and high-speed transversal scanning optical coherence tomography

We describe a novel instrument capable of acquiring, simultaneously, adaptive optics enhanced scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of the human cone mosaic in vivo. The OCT system is based on transversal scanning of the sample with a line scan rate of 14 kHz, approximately 20 times faster than a previously reported instrument. We demonstrate the capability of this instrument with the measurement of the human cone spacing in perifoveal retina.     

A long-range,high-resolution optical coherence tomography for physical and environmental measurements

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging optical imaging technique that is applied with low coherence interference to perform noninvasive, high-resolution images on internal and surface structures. In this study, we built an optical coherence system and developed a combined envelope-fringe and carrier-fringe technique that can take advantage of high-resolution and long-range for taking physical and environmental measurements. The proposed system demonstrated that the detection resolution of the changes of the refractive index was 1.89 × 10^? 4 for the long-range set-up (i.e. using the envelope-fringe only), and 4.15 × 10^? 5 for the high-resolution set-up (i.e. using the carrier-fringe). In addition, we successfully applied the system to measure the refractive index of a body of water, as the index for determining the pollution condition of different lakes.     

Polarization-maintaining fiber-based optical low-coherence reflectometer for characterization and ranging of birefringence

We describe a polarization-maintaining fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical low-coherence reflectometer for measurement of depth-resolved birefringence. Unlike for other fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical low-coherence reflectometers, here the linear birefringence of a sample can be measured from data recorded in a single A scan. Simultaneous measurement of retardation and orientation of birefringent axes with mica wave plates is demonstrated. The measured retardation is insensitive to sample rotation in the plane perpendicular to ranging.     

Simultaneous measurement of flow velocity and Doppler angle by the use of Doppler optical coherence tomography

Monitoring blood flow velocity could have great value for biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. One of current restrictions to determine flow velocity by the use of Doppler optical coherence tomography (Doppler OCT) is that the Doppler angle should be predefined. However, from a practical point of view, it is not easy to predetermine Doppler angle for a flow beneath the tissue surface. In this work, a novel method for measuring both flow velocity and Doppler angle simultaneously by the use of Doppler OCT is proposed and demonstrated. Based on Doppler spectrum analysis, this technique measures both longitudinal and transverse components of flow velocity by detecting its Doppler shift and Doppler bandwidth to determine velocity and Doppler angle simultaneously. Such a technique extends flow velocity measurement into a broadening practical use of Doppler OCT where Doppler angle would not need to be predefined, for example, blood flow beneath the tissue surface. Therefore, with this technique, Doppler OCT could be applied to more practical diagnoses of microcirculation.     

Simultaneous dual-wavelength-band common-path swept-source optical coherence tomography with single polygon mirror scanner

We report a novel (to the best of our knowledge) simultaneous 1310/1550 two-wavelength band swept laser source and dual-band common-path swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Synchronized dual-wavelength tuning is performed by using two laser cavities and narrowband wavelength filters with a single dual-window polygonal scanner. Measured average output powers of 60 and 27 mW have been achieved for the 1310 and 1550 nm bands, respectively, while the two wavelengths were swept simultaneously from 1227 to 1387 nm for the 1310 nm band and from 1519 to 1581 nm for the 1550 nm band at an A-scan rate of 65 kHz. Broadband wavelength-division multiplexing is used for coupling two wavelengths into a common-path single-mode GRIN-lensed fiber probe to form dual-band common-path SS-OCT. Simultaneous OCT imaging at 1310 and 1550 nm is achieved. This technique allows for in vivo high-speed OCT imaging with potential application in functional (spectroscopic) investigations.