Abstract
We present an all-fiber-optically based endoscope platform for simultaneous optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescence imaging. This design entails the use of double-clad fiber (DCF) in the endoscope for delivery of OCT source and fluorescence excitation light while collecting the backscattered OCT signal through the single-mode core and fluorescence emission through the large inner cladding of the DCF. Circumferential beam scanning was performed by rotating a 45° reflector using a miniature DC motor at the distal end of the endoscope. Additionally, a custom DCF coupler and a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) were utilized to seamlessly integrate both imaging modalities to achieve an entirely fiber-optically based dual-modality imaging system. We demonstrated simultaneous intraluminal 3D OCT and 2D (surface) fluorescence imaging in ex vivo rabbit esophagus using the dual-modal endomicroscopy system. Structural morphologies (provided by OCT) and fluorophore distribution (provided by the fluorescence module) could be clearly visualized, suggesting the potential of the dual-modality system for future in vivo and clinical applications.
Highlights
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high resolution, non-invasive and non-contact biomedical imaging modality, capable of visualizing the microstructure of biological tissue in real time
We focus on integrating OCT with fluorescence imaging seamlessly in an endoscopic setting
We report an all-fiber-optic, distal end scanning, double-clad fiber (DCF)-based endoscope system for seamlessly integrated simultaneous OCT and fluorescence imaging
Summary
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high resolution, non-invasive and non-contact biomedical imaging modality, capable of visualizing the microstructure of biological tissue in real time. While OCT is able to provide high resolution morphological information with high speed, one caveat is its lack of molecular sensitivity, which, can be crucial for drawing conclusions for diagnosis. One example is endoscopic fluorescence imaging of the gastrointestinal track for cancer screening/diagnosis [10], where, generally only surface images with low resolution are generated without depth-resolved high-resolution tissue microstructure information. Another example is the emerging fluorescence confocal endomicroscopy technology [11], where, with the help of intravenously administered fluorescein, tissue microstructures with a superb resolution comparable to histology can be viewed; the image depth and field of view are both limited
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