Frequency domain multiplexing for speckle reduction in optical coherence tomography.
Quantitative analysis of optical coherence tomography data can be strongly hampered by speckle. Here, we introduce a new method to reduce speckle, which leverages from Fourier-domain configurations and operates on individual axial scans. By subdividing the digitized spectrum into a number of distinct narrower windows, each with a different center frequency, several independent speckle patterns result. These can be averaged to yield a lower-resolution image with strongly reduced speckle. The full resolution image remains available for human interpretation; the low resolution version can be used for parametric imaging or quantitative analysis. We demonstrate this technique using intravascular optical frequency domain imaging data acquired in vivo.
Thorax Center, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. g.vansoest@erasmusmc.nl
Gijs
G
van Soest
Martin
M
Villiger
Evelyn
E
Regar
Guillermo J
GJ
Tearney
Brett E
BE
Bouma
Antonius F W
AF
van der Steen
D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*