title: In situ imaging of lung alveoli with an optical coherence tomography needle probe.
abstract: In situ imaging of alveoli and the smaller airways with optical coherence tomography (OCT) has significant potential in the assessment of lung disease. We present a minimally invasive imaging technique utilizing an OCT needle probe. The side-facing needle probe comprises miniaturized focusing optics consisting of no-core and GRIN fiber encased within a 23-gauge needle. 3D-OCT volumetric data sets were acquired by rotating and retracting the probe during imaging. The probe was used to image an intact, fresh (not fixed) sheep lung filled with normal saline, and the results validated against a histological gold standard. We present the first published images of alveoli acquired with an OCT needle probe and demonstrate the potential of this technique to visualize other anatomical features such as bifurcations of the bronchioles.
authors: University of Western Australia, School of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
authors: Bryden C
authors: BC
authors: Quirk
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: McLaughlin
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Curatolo
authors: Rodney W
authors: RW
authors: Kirk
authors: Peter B
authors: PB
authors: Noble
authors: David D
authors: DD
authors: Sampson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055745:Bronchioles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006652:Histological Techniques; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D023421:Models, Animal; D055096:Optical Devices; D055620:Optical Phenomena; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply; D012756:Sheep; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods