The efficiency of light scattering by nanoparticles formed using the method of picosecond laser ablation of silicon in water and by nanoparticles of mechanically grinded mesoporous silicon is compared. The ensembles of particles of both types possess the scattering coefficients sufficient to use them as contrast agents in optical coherence tomography (OCT), particularly in the range of wavelengths 700–1000 nm, where the absorption of both silicon and most biological and mimicking tissues is small. According to the Mie theory the main contribution to the scattering in this case is made by the particles having a relatively large size (150 ...

The complex conjugate ambiguity in Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT) is a major roadblock that prevents full-detector resolution for the depth scan in single shot operation for the individual A-scan. Current techniques to eliminate this problem involve changing the experimental set-up, usually complicating the OCT system. In this work we show that the standard FDOCT spectrum data when resampled appropriately can be cast exactly in terms of type-1 discrete cosine transform (DCT). Additionally, a sparse reconstruction method in the DCT domain enables image recovery with full-detector resolution, thus effectively doubling the depth scan resolution. In a realistic simulation study ...

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images are severely degraded by speckle noise. Existing methods for despeckling multiframe OCT data cannot deliver sufficient speckle suppression while preserving image details well. To address this problem, the spiking cortical model (SCM) based non-local means (NLM) method has been proposed in this letter. In the proposed method, the considered frame and two neighboring frames are input into three SCMs to generate the temporal series of pulse outputs. The normalized moment of inertia (NMI) of the considered patches in the pulse outputs is extracted to represent the rotational and scaling invariant features of the corresponding patches ...

In this work, a non-local weighted group low-rank representation (WGLRR) model is proposed for speckle noise reduction in optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. It is based on the observation that the similarity between patches within the noise-free OCT image leads to a high correlation between them, which means that the data matrix grouped by these similar patches is low-rank. Thus, the low-rank representation (LRR) is used to recover the noise-free group data matrix. In order to maintain the fidelity of the recovered image, the corrupted probability of each pixel is integrated into the LRR model as a weight to regularize ...

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been used to noninvasively monitor the blood glucose concentration (BGC) in healthy subjects with good accuracy and acceptable specificity. Based on this, the paper further considered the possibility of OCT in noninvasive monitoring BGC in diabetic patients. The OCT signal slope (OCTSS) changed with variation of BGC. The correlation coefficient R between BGC and OCTSS in diabetic patients was 0.91; while the correlation coefficient R in healthy volunteers was 0.78. Thus, a better linear dependence of OCTSS on BGC in diabetic patients was presented in the experiment. The results showed that the capability ...

For the first time, we developed a full-range ultrahigh-resolution (UHR) spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) technique working in the 1.7 µm wavelength region. This technique allowed high-resolution, deep-tissue imaging. By using a supercontinuum source operating at a wavelength of 1.7 µm, an axial resolution of 3.6 µm in a tissue specimen was achieved. To enhance the imaging depth of UHR-SD-OCT, we performed full-range OCT imaging based on a phase modulation method. We demonstrated the three-dimensional (3D) imaging of a mouse brain with the developed system, and specific structures in the mouse brain were clearly visualized at depths ...

We present a simple and efficient Monte Carlo model to predict the scattering coefficients and the influence of multiple photon scattering with increasing concentration of scattering centers from optical coherence tomography (OCT) data. While the model reliably estimates optical sample parameters for a broad range of concentrations, it does not require inclusion of more complex phenomena such as dependent scattering. Instead, it relies on a particular weighting function which is introduced to describe various orders of multiple scattering events. In weakly scattering homogeneous media the measured scattering coefficient depends linearly on the concentration of scattering centers. In the case of ...

In the context of the development of emerging laser-assisted thermo-mechanical technologies for non-destructive reshaping of avascular collagenous tissues (cartilages and cornea), we report the first application of phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) for visualizing transient strains involving supra-wavelength inter-frame displacements of scatterers. Usually phase-sensitive OCT assumes the visualization of sub-pixel and even sub-wavelength displacements of scatterers and fairly small strains (say, <10 −3 ), which conventionally implies the necessity of averaging for enhancing the effective signal-to-noise ratio and, correspondingly, the application of small-amplitude actuators producing periodic deformations. The original approach used here allows for direct estimation of elevated strains ~10 −2 ...

The automatic calibration in Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) systems allows for high resolution imaging with precise depth ranging functionality in many complex imaging scenarios, such as microsurgery. However, the accuracy and speed of the existing automatic schemes are limited due to the functional approximations and iterative operations used in their procedures. In this paper, we present a new real-time automatic calibration scheme for swept source-based optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) systems. The proposed automatic calibration can be performed during scanning operation and does not require an auxiliary interferometer for calibration signal generation and an additional channel for its acquisition. The ...

In this study, we propose a novel implementation of optical coherence tomography-based angiography combined with ex vivo perfusion of fixed hearts to visualize coronary microvascular structure and function. The extracorporeal perfusion of Intralipid solution allows depth-resolved angiographic imaging, control of perfusion pressure, and high-resolution optical microangiography. The imaging technique offers new opportunities for microcirculation research in the heart, which has been challenging due to motion artifacts and the lack of independent control of pressure and flow. With the ability to precisely quantify structural and functional features, this imaging platform has broad potential for the study of the pathophysiology of microvasculature ...

Fiber lasers, which use optical fibers as ideal waveguides, have been attracting a great deal of attention as stable, practical, and maintenance-free lasers. Using a combination of an ultrashort-pulse fiber laser and a nonlinear fiber, we can realize wideband highly functional ultrafast fiber laser sources. The generation of ultrashort pulses with wide wavelength tunability and supercontinua based on fiber lasers and nonlinear fibers has been demonstrated. These techniques are useful for laser applications, especially for imaging and metrology. In this topical review, the fundamentals of and recent progress in wideband ultrafast fiber laser sources and their applications are reviewed mainly ...

Over the past few years, plasmon-resonant nanorods of gold (AuNRs) have been used as the contrast agent in optical imaging and for photothermal applications. However, most of these studies were limited to AuNRs whose spectral peaks fall below 1000 nm. Recently, optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging around 1300 nm has become one of the niche research areas due to its potential for many diagnostics imaging applications. In this paper, we have investigated plasmon-resonant AuNRs with higher aspect ratio as a potential contrast agent in OCT and for photothermal applications around the 1300 nm window. The AuNRs with an aspect ratio ...

In cancer biology, there has been a recent effort to understand tumor formation in the context of the tissue microenvironment. In particular, recent progress has explored the mechanisms behind how changes in the cell-extracellular matrix ensemble influence progression of the disease. The extensive use of in vitro tissue culture models in simulant matrix has proven effective at studying such interactions, but modalities for non-invasively quantifying aspects of these systems are scant. We present the novel application of an imaging technique, Inverse Spectroscopic Optical Coherence Tomography, for the non-destructive measurement of in vitro biological samples during matrix remodeling. Our findings indicate ...

This paper reports on the development of a technology for the wafer-level fabrication of an optical Michelson interferometer, which is an essential component in a micro opto-electromechanical system (MOEMS) for a miniaturized optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. The MOEMS consists on a titanium dioxide/silicon dioxide dielectric beam splitter and chromium/gold micro-mirrors. These optical components are deposited on 45° tilted surfaces to allow the horizontal/vertical separation of the incident beam in the final micro-integrated system. The fabrication process consists of 45° saw dicing of a glass substrate and the subsequent deposition of dielectric multilayers and metal layers. The ...

We developed a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) using a visible broadband light source (vis-OCT) for application to high-resolution and nondestructive profile measurement and imaging in semiconductor optical-device fabrication. By using visible broadband light centered at 625 nm and with spectral bandwidth of 260 nm, an axial resolution of 0.69 µm in air was obtained. This was effective for inspection of a transparent photoresist film with thickness of 1–2 µm coated on a semiconductor wafer; the interface between the photoresist film and its substrate and the interface between the photoresist and air were resolved, and the film thickness ...

This article presents a theoretical study on an optical module (OM) that can be inserted between an object under investigation and a Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography system, transforming the latter into a polarisation-sensitive optical coherence tomography optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. The module consists of two electro-optic modulators, a Faraday rotator, a linear polariser and a quarter-wave plate. A detailed description on how the module can be used to extract both the net retardance and the fast axis orientation of a linear birefringent sample is presented. This is achieved by taking two sequential measurements for different values of retardance produced ...

The field of microrheology is concerned with how materials store and dissipate mechanical energy as a function of length scale. Recent developments in the theory and instrumentation of the microrheology of complex fluids are reviewed. Equal emphasis is given to the physical phenomena probed, advances in instrumentation, and specific experimental systems in which this field has already had an impact. The inversion of the compliance data, measurement of sample heterogeneity, high frequency viscoelasticity, effects of shear flow, single molecule experiments, surface viscoelasticity and time evolution studies are considered. The techniques highlighted include particle tracking microrheology, diffusing wave spectroscopy, laser tracking ...

We have attempted to explore the intrinsic differences in the optical properties of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and normal tissue by optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT imaging of normal tissue provided three layers of epithelium, lamina propria, and the brighter interface of basement membrane; while carcinomas disrupted the layered construction embedded in signal-poor images. The morphologies were consistent with histological findings. Sensitivity and specificity were 90% and 100%, respectively. This pilot study demonstrates that NPC could be diagnosed by visualization, which implies that OCT might be potentially used to differentiate normal from NPC tissue in the early stage as an ...

We developed an optical coherence photoacoustic microscopy system using an intensity-modulated continuous-wave superluminescent diode with a center wavelength of 840 nm. The system can accomplish optical coherence tomography (OCT) and photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) simultaneously. Compared to the system with a pulsed light source, this system is able to achieve OCT imaging with quality as high as conventional spectral-domain OCT. Since both of the OCT and PAM images are generated from the same group of photons, they are intrinsically registered in the lateral directions. The system was tested for multimodal imaging the vasculature of mouse ear in vivo by using gold ...

Diagnosis of macular degeneration using a Stratus OCT with a fast macular thickness map (FMTM) method produced six B-scan images of macula from different angles. The images were converted into a retinal thickness chart to be evaluated by normal distribution percentile of data so that it can be classified as normal thickness of macula or as experiencing abnormality (e.g. thickening and thinning). Unfortunately, the diagnostic images only represent the retinal thickness in several areas of the macular region. Thus, this study is aims to obtain the entire retinal thickness in the macula area from Status OCT's output images ...

Purpose. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel light-based intravascular imaging method with potential utility for quantifying vascular disease and the effect of therapy. OCT has been used to image vein grafts and neointima in clinical research studies but validity of OCT for vein graft imaging is limited by depth of field and tissue penetration. Experiments were carried out to validate the in-house developed new software (Medipass-iScan) and OCT vendor software comparing with a gold standard, photomicroscopy. Methods. Seven synthetic phantom tubes with varying inner diameters and eight saphenous veins were imaged with OCT. Imaging was performed five times on ...

We propose a method for correcting aberrations in digital holography based on the principles of computational adaptive optics using the phase gradient autofocus technique that demands no reference measurements. The method requires a priori information on the relative positions of the elements of the optical setup. It is applicable for sufficiently smooth optical aberrations. This technique does not impose any restrictions on the magnitude of the scattered optical field phase distortions caused by the object structure. The efficacy of the proposed method is demonstrated through numerical simulation and experimental verification.

We present a volumetric monitoring method to observe the morphological changes of aqueous two phase system (ATPS) droplets in a microfluidic system. Our method is based on time-lapse optical coherence tomography (OCT) which allows the study of the dynamics of ATPS droplets while visualizing their 3D structures and providing quantitative information on the droplets. In this study, we monitored the process of rehydration and deformation of an ATPS droplet in a microfluidic system and quantified the changes of its volume and velocity under both static and dynamic fluid conditions. Our results indicate that time-lapse OCT is a very promising tool ...

The development of colorectal cancer in the azoxymethane-induced mouse model can be observed by using a miniaturized optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system. This system is uniquely capable of tracking disease development over time, allowing for the monitoring of morphological changes in the distal colon due to tumor development and the presence of lymphoid aggregates. By using genetically engineered mouse models deficient in Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and Smad family member 3 (Smad3), the role of inflammation on tumor development and the immune system can be elucidated. Smad3 knockout mice develop inflammatory response, wasting, and colitis associated cancer while deficiency of ...