Showing papers by "Brett E. Bouma published in 1997"

In Vivo Endoscopic Optical Biopsy with Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract: Current medical imaging technologies allow visualization of tissue anatomy in the human body at resolutions ranging from 100 micrometers to 1 millimeter. These technologies are generally not sensitive enough to detect early-stage tissue abnormalities associated with diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis, which require micrometer-scale resolution. Here, optical coherence tomography was adapted to allow high-speed visualization of tissue in a living animal with a catheter-endoscope 1 millimeter in diameter. This method, referred to as "optical biopsy," was used to obtain cross-sectional images of the rabbit gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts at 10-micrometer resolution.

Method and apparatus for performing optical measurements using a fiber optic imaging guidewire, catheter or endoscope

Abstract: An imaging system for performing optical coherence tomography includes an optical radiation source; a reference optical reflector; a first optical path leading to the reference optical reflector; and a second optical path coupled to an endoscopic unit. The endoscopic unit preferably includes an elongated housing defining a bore; a rotatable single mode optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end positioned within and extending the length of the bore of the elongated housing; and an optical system coupled to the distal end of the rotatable single mode optical fiber, positioned to transmit the optical radiation from the single mode optical fiber to the structure and to transmit reflected optical radiation from the structure to the single mode optical fiber. The system further includes a beam divider dividing the optical radiation from the optical radiation source along the first optical path to the reflector and along the second optical path; and a detector positioned to receive reflected optical radiation from the reflector transmitted along the first optical path and reflected optical radiation transmitted from the structure along the second optical path. The detector generates a signal in response to the reflected optical radiation from the reference reflector and the reflected optical radiation from the structure, and a processor generating an image of the structure in response to the signal from the detector. The system provides both rotational and longitudinal scanning of an image.

High-speed phase- and group-delay scanning with a grating-based phase control delay line.

Abstract: A rapid-scanning optical delay line that employs phase control has several advantages, including high speed, high duty cycle, phase- and group-delay independence, and group-velocity dispersion compensation, over existing optical delay methods for interferometric optical ranging applications. We discuss the grating-based phase-control delay line and its applications to interferometric optical ranging and measurement techniques such as optical coherence domain reflectometry and optical coherence tomography. The system performs optical ranging over an axial range of 3 mm with a scanning rate of 6m/s and a repetition rate of 2 kHz. The device is especially well suited for applications such as optical coherence tomography that require high-speed, repetitive, linear delay line scanning with a high duty cycle.

Assessing atherosclerotic plaque morphology: comparison of optical coherence tomography and high frequency intravascular ultrasound.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: OCT can image plaque microstructure at a level of resolution not previously demonstrated with other imaging techniques because it uses infrared light rather than acoustic waves. OBJECTIVES: To compare optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging of in vitro atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS: Segments of abdominal aorta were obtained immediately before postmortem examination. Images of 20 sites from five patients were acquired with OCT (operating at an optical wavelength of 1300 nm which was delivered to the sample through an optical fibre) and a 30 MHz ultrasonic transducer. After imaging, the microstructure of the tissue was assessed by routine histological processing. RESULTS: OCT yielded superior structural information in all plaques examined. The mean (SEM) axial resolution of OCT and IVUS imaging was 16 (1) and 110 (7), respectively, as determined by the point spread function from a mirror. Furthermore, the dynamic range of OCT was 109 dB compared with 43 dB for IVUS imaging. CONCLUSIONS: OCT represents a promising new technology for intracoronary imaging because of its high resolution, broad dynamic range, and ability to be delivered through intravascular catheters.

Forward-imaging instruments for optical coherence tomography.

Abstract: We discuss the design and implementation of forward-imaging instruments for optical coherence tomography (OCT), which require the delivery, scanning, and collection of single-spatial-mode optical radiation. A hand-held surgical probe for use in open surgery can provide cross-sectional images of subsurface tissue before surgical incisions are made. A rigid laparoscope for minimally invasive surgical OCT imaging provides a simultaneous en face view of the area being imaged. OCT imaging is demonstrated on in vitro human specimens.

Optical frequency-domain reflectometry using rapid wavelength tuning of a Cr4+:forsterite laser.

Abstract: We present a cw chromium-doped forsterite laser that permits rapid wavelength tuning over a broad bandwidth and demonstrate the application of this source to frequency-domain ranging and optical tomography. The entire tuning range of 1200 to 1275 nm can be swept in less than 500 micros . This permits frequency-domain ranging to be performed with a scan rate of 2 kHz and an axial resolution of 15 microm .

Noninvasive assessment of the developing Xenopus cardiovascular system using optical coherence tomography

Abstract: Studies investigating normal and abnormal cardiac development are frequently limited by an inability to assess cardiovascular function within the intact organism. In this work, optical coherence tomography (OCT), a new method of micron-scale, noninvasive imaging based on the measurement of backscattered infrared light, was introduced for the high resolution assessment of structure and function in the developing Xenopus laevis cardiovascular system. Microstructural details, such as ventricular size and wall positions, were delineated with OCT at 16-μm resolution and correlated with histology. Three-dimensional representation of the cardiovascular system also was achieved by repeated cross-sectional imaging at intervals of 25 μm. In addition to structural information, OCT provides high speed in vivo axial ranging and imaging, allowing quantitative dynamic activity, such as ventricular ejection fraction, to be assessed. The sensitivity of OCT for dynamic assessment was demonstrated with an inotropic agent that altered cardiac function and dimensions. Optical coherence tomography is an attractive new technology for assessing cardiovascular development because of its high resolution, its ability to image through nontransparent structures, and its inexpensive portable design. In vivo and in vitro imaging are performed at a resolution approaching that of histopathology without the need for animal killing.

Assessing atherosclerotic plaque morphology: comparison of optical coherence tomography and high frequency intravascular ultrasound (Original Article)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: OCT can image plaque microstructure at a level of resolution not previously demonstrated with other imaging techniques because it uses infrared light rather than acoustic waves. OBJECTIVES: To compare optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging of in vitro atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS: Segments of abdominal aorta were obtained immediately before postmortem examination. Images of 20 sites from five patients were acquired with OCT (operating at an optical wavelength of 1300 nm which was delivered to the sample through an optical fibre) and a 30 MHz ultrasonic transducer. After imaging, the microstructure of the tissue was assessed by routine histological processing. RESULTS: OCT yielded superior structural information in all plaques examined. The mean (SEM) axial resolution of OCT and IVUS imaging was 16 (1) and 110 (7), respectively, as determined by the point spread function from a mirror. Furthermore, the dynamic range of OCT was 109 dB compared with 43 dB for IVUS imaging. CONCLUSIONS: OCT represents a promising new technology for intracoronary imaging because of its high resolution, broad dynamic range, and ability to be delivered through intravascular catheters.

Mode-locked solid state laser sources for optical coherence tomography

Abstract: A high speed technique for performing 'optical biopsies,' or optical diagnostic imaging of in vivo tissue architectural morphology, would greatly enhance the diagnosis and clinical management of many diseases. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel optical imaging technique that uses low coherence interferometry to obtain micron scale, cross- sectional images of biological systems. OCT was initially applied in ophthalmology to provide high resolution, cross sectional, tomographic images of the transparent structures in the eye and clinical studies show that OCT has considerable promise for the diagnosis of a wide range of retinal macular diseases. OCT imaging in other human tissues is more difficult due to optical scattering. However, recent in vitro studies have shown that OCT can image architectural morphology in highly optically scattering tissues. One of the key technological issues for OCT in optical biopsy is the development of low coherence laser sources. Essential attributes of a clinically viable light source for OCT include high single-transverse-mode power, short coherence length, and a central wavelength optimal for deep penetration within human tissue. Passively mode locked solid state lasers based on Ti:Al2O3 and Cr:Mg2SiO4 are capable of providing hundreds of milliwatts of single-transverse mode light with coherence lengths as short as 1.8 microns. We present recent developments in the optimization of mode locked solid state lasers for application to OCT and demonstrate the resulting capability to enable fast acquisition of high resolution tomographic images.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Endoscopic optical coherence tomography

Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a recently developed optical imaging technique that uses low coherence interferometry to perform high resolution, cross-sectional imaging in biological systems. While in vitro studies have been performed to demonstrate the feasibility of performing optical biopsy in human tissues, key technologies must be developed to extend this technique to in vivo internal organ systems. These advances include improvements in image acquisition speed, and the development of an OCT compatible catheter-endoscope. A fast scanning OCT system has recently been constructed. This system employs a high power (200 mW) chromium doped forsterite laser as the low coherence source and a piezoelectric fiber stretcher to induce reference arm optical path length delay. The fast scanning system acquires OCT images with an acquisition rate of four images per second, an axial resolution of 15 micrometers, and a signal to noise ratio of 112 dB. When incorporated with the recently constructed OCT compatible catheter-endoscope, this system is capable of obtaining high resolution endoscopic diagnostic images of tissue microstructure in vivo.