Abstract
: Advances in swept source laser technology continues to increase the imaging speed of swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) systems. These fast imaging speeds are ideal for microvascular detection schemes, such as speckle variance (SV), where interframe motion can cause severe imaging artifacts and loss of vascular contrast. However, full utilization of the laser scan speed has been hindered by the computationally intensive signal processing required by SS-OCT and SV calculations. Using a commercial graphics processing unit that has been optimized for parallel data processing, we report a complete high-speed SS-OCT platform capable of real-time data acquisition, processing, display, and saving at 108,000 lines per second. Subpixel image registration of structural images was performed in real-time prior to SV calculations in order to reduce decorrelation from stationary structures induced by the bulk tissue motion. The viability of the system was successfully demonstrated in a high bulk tissue motion scenario of human fingernail root imaging where SV images (512 × 512 pixels, n = 4) were displayed at 54 frames per second.
Highlights
Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) is becoming a well-established high-resolution biomedical imaging modality with numerous pre-clinical and clinical applications, such as real-time assessment of optimal coronary artery stent placement and as a supplement in lymph node biopsies [1,2,3]
Received 25 Apr 2012; revised 30 May 2012; accepted 5 Jun 2012; published 7 Jun 2012 1 July 2012 / Vol 3, No 7 / BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 1558 added ability to image in real-time would open speckle variance (SV) to assist in interventional procedures such as stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and oncology
We have previously demonstrated SV in a low Bulk tissue motion (BTM) scenario by imaging mouse dorsal skinfold window chamber, where small capillaries could be detected with relatively slow image speed of 36kHz by optimizing the SV parameters [6]
Summary
Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) is becoming a well-established high-resolution biomedical imaging modality with numerous pre-clinical and clinical applications, such as real-time assessment of optimal coronary artery stent placement and as a supplement in lymph node biopsies [1,2,3]. Owing to the continuous advancement of swept source laser technology, A-scan rates exceeding multi-megahertz have been demonstrated [5]. These fast imaging speeds are beneficial for functional imaging techniques, such as speckle variance (SV) analysis for microvasculature detection, where interframe motion can cause severe imaging artifacts and loss of vascular contrast. Speckle variance identifies microvasculature by calculating the interframe intensity variance of structural images, providing a non-invasive high sensitivity imaging technique capable of visualizing capillaries without the use of exogenous contrast agents [6]. Practical application of using SV, including the presentation of real-time diagnostic information, is hindered by the computationally intensive signal processing required by structural and SV calculations when implemented on a serially oriented central processing unit (CPU). While SV has been used to identify microvasculature for many studies, the Received 25 Apr 2012; revised 30 May 2012; accepted 5 Jun 2012; published 7 Jun 2012 1 July 2012 / Vol 3, No 7 / BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 1558 added ability to image in real-time would open SV to assist in interventional procedures such as stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and oncology
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