The Development of Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) enables cross-sectional, volumetric, and functional imaging of internal microstructure and pathology in biological tissues. OCT can perform an “optical biopsy”, imaging pathology in situ and in real time without the need for excisional biopsy. OCT imaging has become a standard of care in ophthalmology and is an emerging imaging modality in cardiology, dermatology, gastroenterology and other specialties where it provides information that often cannot be obtained by any other means. This chapter reviews the early history of OCT development with an emphasis on basic concepts and the process of technology translation. Early OCT technology and catheter imaging devices as well as advances in imaging speed using swept source/Fourier domain detection are reviewed. The process of clinical translation, beginning with ex vivo imaging and histology, preclinical animal studies and progressing to clinical studies in patients is discussed. The history of commercial intravascular OCT development is also summarized.