New technology for high-speed and high-resolution optical coherence tomography.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an optical imaging technique that is capable of performing micron-scale, cross-sectional imaging of internal microstructure in biological systems. OCT is analogous to ultrasound B mode imaging except that it uses light rather than sound and performs imaging by measuring the back-scattered intensity of light from structures in tissue. We describe recent advances in OCT technology including the application of short pulse solid state lasers based on Ti: Al2O3 and Cr: Mg2SiO4 to enable high-resolution, high-speed imaging as well as the development of OCT catheter/endoscope delivery to permit imaging of internal organ systems. OCT enables the nonexcisional, in situ, real-time imaging of tissue microstructure and is thus a powerful and promising technique for optical biopsy.
Fujimoto
J G
JG
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, USA.
Bouma
B
B
Tearney
G J
GJ
Boppart
S A
SA
Pitris
C
C
Southern
J F
JF
Brezinski
M E
ME
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D014054:Tomography; D014982:Xenopus laevis