A miniaturized two-dimensional forward optical scanner with a monolithically integrated glass microlens was developed for microendoscopic imaging applications. The fabricated device measures 2.26 × 1.97 × 0.62 mm 3 in size and a through-silicon microlens with a diameter of 400 µm and numerical aperture of 0.37 has been successfully integrated within the silicon layer. An XY stage structure with lens shuttle and comb actuators was designed, and proprietary glass isolation blocks were utilized in mechanical and electric isolation of X- and Y -axis actuators. Resonant frequencies of the stage in X and Y directions were 3.238 and ...

In this paper low coherence interferometric second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging is successfully demonstrated using a compact broadband fs-fiber laser operating around 1550 nm. In combination with linear optical coherence microscopy, this SHG technique is tailored for structural and functional investigations of surfaces and subsurface regions of non-biological samples, like corrosion sites formed on metals below organic coatings.

We present a polarization-sensitive full-field optical coherence microscopy modality which is capable of simultaneously delivering depth resolved information on the reflectivity, optical retardation and optical axis orientation. In this way local birefringence, inherent stress–strain fields and optical anisotropies can be visualized with high resolution, as exemplified for various technical material applications.

The isosbestic point of oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin at 800 nm is an important point in biomedical optical spectroscopic imaging. We have developed a novel swept laser centered at 800 nm and demonstrated its performance for spectroscopic optical coherence tomography. The measured −10 dB spectral bandwidth of the swept laser was 40 nm and averaged laser output power per sweep was 4 mW. This swept laser was incorporated into our OCT system and used to measure non-scattering liquid phantoms and blood samples. The measured maximum sensitivity and roll-off rate over a range of image depths were 112 dB and − 1.45 ...

Non-invasive skin analysis by optical coherence tomography (OCT) is limited because of the absorption and scattering properties of the tissue. There are several possibilities for enhancing OCT images. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that image quality can be improved using the hyperosmolar agents glucose and glycerol while investigating human ridged and meshed skin areas, without causing damage to the tissue. The experiments were carried out on the palm and the forearm of ten volunteers. After application of the substances in the test area, the penetration depth and image contrast were measured at intervals of 5 min for ...

The method of sign-sensitive mapping of the given range of velocities in a flow with complex geometry based on the principles of optical coherence tomography is described. To produce an alternating-sign flow, the 1% aqueous intralipid solution and the tilted capillary entry with the contraction coefficient 4:1 are used. The mapping is controlled using two parameters, the value of one specific velocity (OSV) for mapping and the accuracy of its determination. The structure image and two OSV images (for positive and negative direction of motion) are obtained as a result of selecting and processing the relevant parts of the ...

We report the quantification/monitoring of glucose levels in a blood sample using optical diffuse reflectance (ODR) underlying variations in optical parameters with a white light source (at peak wavelength ~600 nm and range 450–850 nm) and in blood in vivo using M-mode optical coherence tomography (OCT) in terms of the translational diffusion coefficient ( D T ). In the ODR experiments, we have investigated two types of mono-dispersive particles, i.e. polystyrene microspheres (PMSs) with diameters of 1.4 μ m (variable concentrations) and 2.6 μ m (fixed concentration) in a water phantom by observing changes in the reduced scattering coefficient ...

Resonant 1D microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) optical scanners actuated by piezoelectric unimorph actuators with a Nb-doped lead zirconate titanate (PNZT) thin film were developed for endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) application. The MEMS scanners were designed as the resonance frequency was less than 125 Hz to obtain enough pixels per frame in OCT images. The device size was within 3.4 mm × 2.5 mm, which is compact enough to be installed in a side-imaging probe with 4 mm inner diameter. The fabrication process started with a silicon-on-insulator wafer, followed by PNZT deposition by the Rf sputtering and Si bulk micromachining ...

This study proposed and demonstrated the potential use of LED phosphors as a simple light source for ultrahigh-resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in the visible regime. Excited by a 405 nm diode laser, broadband spontaneous emission from three different LED phosphors was generated. The best axial resolution was 1.7 µm in air, and finally, corresponding three-dimensional (3D) ultrahigh-resolution SD-OCT imaging was performed with the proposed broadband light source.

A method of OCT imaging with a resolution throughout the investigated volume equal to the resolution in the best-focused region is described. It is based on summation of three-dimensional scattered field distributions at the wavelengths determined by OCT source spectral decomposition. A method of finding parameters needed for algorithmic realization of the summation is also proposed. The proposed approaches are tested on several model media, including biological ones.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been proving to be an efficient diagnostics technique for imaging in vivo tissues, an optical biopsy with important perspectives as a diagnostic tool for quantitative characterization of tissue structures. Despite its established clinical use, there is no international standard to address the specific requirements for basic safety and essential performance of OCT devices for biomedical imaging. The present work studies the parameters necessary for conformity assessment of optoelectronics equipment used in biomedical applications like Laser, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), and OCT, targeting to identify the potential requirements to be considered in the case of a ...

Quantum-well superluminescent diodes (SLD) with extremely thin active (AlGa)As and (InGa)As layers and centre wavelengths about 810, 840, 860 and 880 nm are experimentally studied. Their emission spectrum possesses the shape close to Gaussian, its FWHM being 30 – 60 nm depending on the length of the active channel and the level of pumping. Under cw injection, the output power of light-emitting modules based on such SLDs can amount to 1.0 – 25 mW at the output of a single-mode fibre. It is demonstrated that the operation lifetime of these devices exceeds 30000 hours. Based on the light-emitting modules ...

The influence of white balance in a colour image detector on the resolution of a full-field optical coherence tomograph (FFOCT) is studied. The change in the interference pulse width depending on the white balance tuning is estimated in the cases of a thermal radiation source (incandescent lamp) and a white light emitting diode. It is shown that by tuning white balance of the detector in a certain range, the FFOCT resolution can be increased by 20 % as compared to the resolution, attained with the use of a monochrome detector.

We numerically report the feasibility of generating broadband low divergent supercontinuum covering the entire wavelength window of 1.5–3.5 μm from a 2.25 m long effectively single mode all solid, soft glass based, photonic bandgap fiber with mode area as large as 1100 μm 2 . Owing to its chosen fabrication, friendly geometry, and the chosen material composition, the proposed fiber-based light source should be useful as a mid-wave IR pulsed broadband light source for applications such as high power delivery, optical coherence tomography and mid-IR spectroscopy.

The drying process of an acrylic varnish film was monitored over 24 h by a heterogeneous optical sensor system. The system employs a fibre optic transducer based on Bragg gratings and optical coherence tomography, operating respectively around 1.55 and 1.3 µm. The sensor is able to provide information about the temporal evolution of temperature, mechanical deformation, thickness and average refractive index of the coating during the drying process. Resolutions for these optically measured parameters are 0.05 °C (temperature), 0.5 µε (strain), 1.5 µm (thickness) and 0.004 (refractive index). Besides, the sensor can detect the growth ...

A passive, endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe has been demonstrated, incorporating an imaging fibre bundle and 45° conical mirror, and with no electromechanical components at the probe tip. Circular scanning, of the beam projected onto the proximal face of the imaging bundle, produces a corresponding circular scan at the distal end of the bundle. The beam is turned through 90° by the conical mirror and converted into a radially-scanned sample beam, permitting circumferential OCT scanning in quasi-cylindrical ducts. OCT images, displayed as polar plots and as 3D reconstructions, are presented, showing the internal profile of a metallic test sample ...

We present a Monte Carlo model for optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of human tooth. The model is implemented by combining the simulation of a Gaussian beam with simulation for photon propagation in a two-layer human tooth model with non-parallel surfaces through a Monte Carlo method. The geometry and the optical parameters of the human tooth model are chosen on the basis of the experimental OCT images. The results show that the simulated OCT images are qualitatively consistent with the experimental ones. Using the model, we demonstrate the following: firstly, two types of photons contribute to the information of morphological ...

Psoralen plus ultraviolet A radiation (PUVA) therapy is a very important clinical treatment of skin diseases such as vitiligo and psoriasis, but associated with an increased risk of skin photodamage, especially photoaging. In this work, optical coherence tomography (OCT), a novel non-invasive imaging technology, was introduced to investigate in vivo the photodamage induced by PUVA qualitatively and quantitatively. Balb/c mouse dorsal skin was treated with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), and then exposed to UVA radiation. OCT images of the tissues were obtained by an OCT system with a 1310 nm central wavelength. Skin thickness and the attenuation coefficient were extracted from ...

A Fourier domain mode-locked (FDML) fiber laser based on dual-pump fiber optical parametric amplification (FOPA) is proposed and demonstrated. The output spectrum of the proposed FDML fiber laser covers a sweeping wavelength range from 1540.8 to 1559.8 nm with a sweeping frequency of 31.688 kHz. A comparison of two FDML fiber lasers which are based on dual-pump FOPA and one-pump FOPA is also presented. A novel sensing system based on the FDML laser and a fiber Bragg grating, by which the sensing signal can be measured in the time domain instead of the frequency domain, is also ...

Objective . Previous studies have shown that single-frequency impedance measurements could provide useful information about the distance between the neuroprosthesis and the retina. This work investigates the use of impedance spectroscopy in monitoring subretinal implantations of flexible micro-electrode arrays and focuses on determining what is governing impedance profiles. Approach . In this study, we use impedance spectroscopy together with optical coherence tomography imaging and numerical simulation to quantitatively evaluate the constituent elements of measured impedance. Main results . We show the existence of specific impedance spectrum profiles for retinal detection and retinal detachment that are in good agreement with numerical simulations. These simulations ...

In this study, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is implemented for the noninvasive characterization of photothermolysis in human skin induced by ablative fractional lasers (AFLs) and non-ablative fractional lasers (NAFLs). With OCT imaging, microthermal zones (MTZs) induced by fractional lasers can be noninvasively visualized, and the size of induced MTZs can be quantitatively evaluated. According to the OCT results, the center region of the induced MTZ corresponds to weaker backscattered intensity after the AFL exposure as a result of tissue volatilization by photon energy. In contrast, after the NAFL exposure, the skin tissue is damaged and coagulated but not ...

Accurate non-invasive assessment of tissue elasticity in vivo is required for early diagnostics of many tissue abnormalities. We have developed a focused air-pulse system that produces a low-pressure and short-duration air stream, which can be used to excite transient surface waves (SWs) in soft tissues. System characteristics were studied using a high-resolution analog pressure transducer to describe the excitation pressure. Results indicate that the excitation pressure provided by the air-pulse system can be easily controlled by the air source pressure, the angle of delivery, and the distance between the tissue surface and the port of the air-pulse system. Furthermore, we ...

We have applied custom-built anterior segment optical coherence tomography based on a 1310 nm center wavelength swept laser source to measure Schlemm's canal (SC) area in the living human eye. A total of 50 healthy volunteers with 100 normal eyes have been measured on the nasal and temporal sides successfully. The statistical results show that there are no significant differences between females and males in respect of SC area (female: 8062.24 μm² ± 1492.304 μm²; male: 7714.52 μm² ± 1439.034 μm²; p = 0.095), and also no significant differences of SC area are ...

Diseased tissue has different optical properties and dynamic behaviors from normal tissue, and this can be exploited for diagnostics and therapeutics. We present a model for simultaneously estimating the optical scattering coefficient and Brownian diffusion coefficient of superficial biological tissue. This theoretical model predicts that the U-quadratic distribution approximates the Lorentzian power spectrum due to the Brownian motion, when the frequency width of integration is much less than the power spectrum linewidth. Furthermore, it shows that the logarithmic intensity of all calculated wavelet frequencies is linearly dependent on the scattering coefficient and the standard deviation of the Doppler frequency shift ...