Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography for imaging human atherosclerosis.
Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) combines the advantages of OCT with image contrast enhancement, which is based on its ability to detect phase retardation and the fast-axis angle. Both PS-OCT images and histopathology have demonstrated similar features that allowed differentiation of atherosclerotic structures (i.e., plaques) from normal tissue. Moreover, the picrosirius polarization method was used to confirm PS-OCT assessment of collagen in the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic plaques, and high-frequency (40 MHz) ultrasound images were used to identify calcium in the vessel wall. Our preliminary ex vivo investigation of human aortic specimens indicated that PS-OCT might help to identify atherosclerotic lesions.
Kuo
Wen-Chuan
WC
Institute of Electro-Optical Science and Technology, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 116, Taiwan.
Chou
Nai-Kuan
NK
Chou
Chien
C
Lai
Chih-Ming
CM
Huang
Huan-Jang
HJ
Wang
Shoei-Shen
SS
Shyu
Jeou-Jong
JJ
D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D012031:Refractometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods