Nigel R. Munce

Speckle variance detection of microvasculature using swept-source optical coherence tomography

We report on imaging of microcirculation by calculating the speckle variance of optical coherence tomography (OCT) structural images acquired using a Fourier domain mode-locked swept-wavelength laser. The algorithm calculates interframe speckle variance in two-dimensional and three-dimensional OCT data sets and shows little dependence to the Doppler angle ranging from 75 degrees to 90 degrees . We demonstrate in vivo detection of blood flow in vessels as small as 25 microm in diameter in a dorsal skinfold window chamber model with direct comparison with intravital fluorescence confocal microscopy. This technique can visualize vessel-size-dependent vascular shutdown and transient vascular occlusion during Visudyne photodynamic therapy and may provide opportunities for studying therapeutic effects of antivascular treatments without on exogenous contrast agent.

Doppler optical cardiogram gated 2D color flow imaging at 1000 fps and 4D in vivo visualization of embryonic heart at 45 fps on a swept source OCT system

We report a Doppler optical cardiogram gating technique for increasing the effective frame rate of Doppler optical coherence tomography (DOCT) when imaging periodic motion as found in the cardiovascular system of embryos. This was accomplished with a Thorlabs swept-source DOCT system that simultaneously acquired and displayed structural and Doppler images at 12 frames per second (fps). The gating technique allowed for ultra-high speed visualization of the blood flow pattern in the developing hearts of African clawed frog embryos (Xenopus laevis) at up to 1000 fps. In addition, four-dimensional (three spatial dimensions + temporal) Doppler imaging at 45 fps was demonstrated using this gating technique, producing detailed visualization of the complex cardiac motion and hemodynamics in a beating heart.

Hybrid intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography catheter for imaging of coronary atherosclerosis.

To demonstrate the feasibility of imaging human coronary atherosclerosis using a novel hybrid intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging catheter.

Micromachined array tip for multifocus fiber-based optical coherence tomography

High-resolution optical coherence tomography demands a large detector bandwidth and a high numerical aperture for real-time imaging, which is difficult to achieve over a large imaging depth. To resolve these conflicting requirements we propose a novel multifocus fiber-based optical coherence tomography system with a micromachined array tip. We demonstrate the fabrication of a prototype four-channel tip that maintains a 9-14-microm spot diameter with more than 500 microm of imaging depth. Images of a resolution target and a human tooth were obtained with this tip by use of a four-channel cascaded Michelson fiber-optic interferometer, scanned simultaneously at 8 kHz with geometric power distribution across the four channels.

Innovations in imaging for chronic total occlusions: a glimpse into the future of angiography’s blind-spot

Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are a subset of lesions that present a considerable burden to cardiovascular patients. There exists a strong clinical desire to improve non-surgical options for CTO revascularization. While several techniques, devices, and guide wires have been developed and refined for use in CTOs, the inability of angiography to adequately visualize occluded arterial segments makes interventions in this setting technically challenging. This review describes the current status of several invasive and non-invasive imaging techniques that may facilitate improved image guidance during CTO revascularization, with the goals of improving procedure safety and efficacy while reducing the time required to complete these interventions. Cardiac imaging also has important potential roles in selecting patients most likely to benefit from revascularization as well as pre-procedural planning, post-procedural assessment of revascularized segments and long-term outcomes studies. Modalities discussed include non-invasive techniques, such as CT(computed tomography) angiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as invasive techniques, such as intravascular ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, intravascular MRI, and conventional angiography. While some of these techniques have some evidence to support their use at present, others are at earlier stages of development. Strategies that combine imaging techniques with the use of interventional therapies may provide significant opportunities to improve results in CTO interventions and represent an active area of investigation.

Electrostatic forward-viewing scanning probe for Doppler optical coherence tomography using a dissipative polymer catheter

A novel flexible scanning optical probe is constructed with a finely etched optical fiber strung through a platinum coil in the lumen of a dissipative polymer. The packaged probe is 2.2 mm in diameter with a rigid length of 6mm when using a ball lens or 12 mm when scanning the fiber proximal to a gradient-index (GRIN) lens. Driven by constant high voltage (1-3 kV) at low current (< 5 microA), the probe oscillates to provide wide forward-viewing angle (13 degrees and 33 degrees with ball and GRIN lens designs, respectively) and high-frame-rate (10-140 fps) operation. Motion of the probe tip is observed with a high-speed camera and compared with theory. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging with the probe is demonstrated with a wavelength-swept source laser. Images of an IR card as well as in vivo Doppler OCT images of a tadpole heart are presented. This optomechanical design offers a simple, inexpensive method to obtain a high-frame-rate forward-viewing scanning probe.

In vivo endoscopic multi-beam optical coherence tomography

A multichannel optical coherence tomography (multi-beam OCT) system and an in vivo endoscopic imaging probe were developed using a swept-source OCT system. The distal optics were micro-machined to produce a high numerical aperture, multi-focus fibre optic array. This combination resulted in a transverse design resolution of <10 microm full width half maximum (FWHM) throughout the entire imaging range, while also increasing the signal intensity within the focus of the individual channels. The system was used in a pre-clinical rabbit study to acquire in vivo structural images of the colon and ex vivo images of the oesophagus and trachea. A good correlation between the structural multi-beam OCT images and H&E histology was achieved, demonstrating the feasibility of this high-resolution system and its potential for in vivo human endoscopic imaging.

High power wavelength linearly swept mode locked fiber laser for OCT imaging

We report a long coherence length, high power, and wide tuning range wavelength linearly swept fiber mode-locked laser based on polygon scanning filters. An output power of 52.6 mW with 112 nm wavelength tuning range at 62.6 kHz sweeping rate has been achieved. The coherence length is long enough to enable imaging over 8.1 mm depth when the sensitivity decreases by 8.7 dB (1/e(2)). The Fourier components are still distinguishable when the ranging depth exceeds 15 mm, which corresponds to 30 mm optical path difference in air. The parameters that are critical to OCT imaging quality such as polygon filter linewidth, the laser coherence length, output power, axial resolution and the Fourier sensitivity have been investigated theoretically and experimentally. Since the wavelength is swept linearly with time, an analytical approach has been developed for transforming the interference signal from equidistant spacing in wavelength to equidistant spacing in frequency. Axial resolution of 7.9 microm in air has been achieved experimentally that approaches the theoretical limit.

Doppler optical coherence tomography with a micro-electro-mechanical membrane mirror for high-speed dynamic focus tracking

An elliptical microelectromechanical system (MEMS) membrane mirror is electrostatically actuated to dynamically adjust the optical beam focus and track the axial scanning of the coherence gate in a Doppler optical coherence tomography (DOCT) system at 8 kHz. The MEMS mirror is designed to maintain a constant numerical aperture of approximately 0.13 and a spot size of approximately 6.7 microm over an imaging depth of 1mm in water, which improves imaging performance in resolving microspheres in gel samples and Doppler shift estimation precision in a flow phantom. The mirrors small size (1.4 mm x 1 mm) will allow integration with endoscopic MEMS-DOCT for in vivo applications.

High-power wavelength-swept laser in Littman telescope-less polygon filter and dual-amplifier configuration for multichannel optical coherence tomography.

We report a high-power wavelength-swept laser source for multichannel optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. Wavelength tuning is performed by a compact telescope-less polygon-based filter in Littman arrangement. High output power is achieved by incorporating two serial semiconductor optical amplifiers in the laser cavity in Fourier domain mode-locked configuration. The measured wavelength tuning range of the laser is 111 nm centered at 1329 nm, coherence length of 5.5 mm, and total average output power of 131 mW at 43 kHz sweeping rate. Multichannel simultaneous OCT imaging at an equivalent A-scan rate of 258 kHz is demonstrated.