Co‐registered spectrally encoded confocal microscopy and optical frequency domain imaging system

D.K Kang,C Boudoux,B.E Bouma,G.Y Lauwers,W.P Puricelli,N.S Nishioka,M.J Suter,M Mino‐Kenudson,P.S Yachimski,G.J Tearney

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2818.2010.03367.x

Abstract

Spectrally encoded confocal microscopy and optical frequency domain imaging are two non-contact optical imaging technologies that provide images of tissue cellular and architectural morphology, which are both used for histopathological diagnosis. Although spectrally encoded confocal microscopy has better transverse resolution than optical frequency domain imaging, optical frequency domain imaging can penetrate deeper into tissues, which potentially enables the visualization of different morphologic features. We have developed a co-registered spectrally encoded confocal microscopy and optical frequency domain imaging system and have obtained preliminary images from human oesophageal biopsy samples to compare the capabilities of these imaging techniques for diagnosing oesophageal pathology.

Highlights

In vivo microscopic optical imaging methods hold considerable promise for non-excisional histopathological diagnosis
Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are well suited for non-invasive microscopy in patients as they are capable of allowing the visualization of microscopic structure without tissue contact and do not require the administration of exogenous contrast agents
Each technique rejects multiply scattered light in a different way: OCT utilizes coherence gating and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) employs confocal selection of light reflected from tissue illuminated by a tightly focused beam

Summary

Introduction

In vivo microscopic optical imaging methods hold considerable promise for non-excisional histopathological diagnosis. Each technique rejects multiply scattered light in a different way: OCT utilizes coherence gating and RCM employs confocal selection of light reflected from tissue illuminated by a tightly focused beam. OCT provides cross-sectional images with typical resolutions of 30 (H) × 30 (W) × 10 μm (D) and a penetration depth that ranges from 1 to 3 mm, depending on tissue type. RCM obtains transverse or en face images with typical resolutions of 1 (H) × 1 (W) × 6 μm (D) and a penetration depth that ranges from 100 to 300 μm.Based on these features of the two imaging modalities, it is generally accepted that they offer different information: RCM provides transverse subcellular detail and OCT provides cross-sectional architectural morphology; information from these two resolution regimes is critical for histopathological diagnosis

Methods

Results

Conclusion