Fiber-optic Optical Coherence Tomography Research Articles

Thickness Measurement of Self-Lubricating Fabric Liner of Inner Ring of Sliding Bearings Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

This study presents a novel and highly accurate method of measuring the geometric thickness of the self-lubricating fabric liner of bearings by combining the optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology and the Hanning-windowed energy centrobaric method (HnWECM). The geometric thickness of wear-resistant coating material is one of the important indicators for evaluating its wear, and the measurement of its geometric thickness is of great significance for preventing coating failure. To address the issue of significant measurement errors caused by using the refractive index of the sample instead of the group refractive index to calculate the material’s geometrical thickness in previous OCT research and applications, our proposed method can accurately measure the geometrical thickness of materials without the influence of the refractive index of the material. Moreover, this method exhibits the advantages of non-contact and high precision, since it utilizes an SD-OCT system, making it a novel method for extracting the physical parameters of composite materials. The geometric thickness of the peeled-off liner obtained from our method is compared with the thickness measured by the spiral micrometer to evaluate its accuracy. The experimental results indicate that the thickness measured by the spiral micrometer was 172 μm, while the maximum difference in the data obtained by our method was 171.261 μm. This suggests that the difference between the two methods is less than 0.430%, which verifies the accuracy and validity of our method. Additionally, the obtained geometric thickness and the optical thickness of the peeled-off liner are used to evaluate the group refractive index of this material. The inside geometrical structure of the self-lubricating fabric liner on the end face and inner ring of the sliding bearing is imaged with this group refractive index. The measurement of the inner ring liner of the sliding bearing proves the flexibility of the fiber-optic OCT and provides a non-contact, nondestructive testing method for measuring the geometric thickness and internal geometric structure of composite materials.

Fiber-based optical coherence tomography for biomedical imaging, sensing, and precision measurements

Recently published studies on fiber-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) are reviewed mainly in relation to applications within the fields of biomedical imaging and precision measurement. A succinct introduction to fiber-based OCT system configurations is described including history, related core components, and functional characteristics. Then, an overview of fiber-optic probes is presented in terms of actuating method, scanning direction, and functionality. In order to verify the performance of fiber-optic OCT systems, fiber-based OCT images of several biological samples including pearls, fingers, teeth, and tumor tissues are presented. A multi-functional modality combined with laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy is also presented to distinguish between similar samples. Finally, some interesting fiber-optic OCT studies are briefly presented to measure various physical, chemical, and biological parameters. In particular, simultaneous refractive index and thickness measurement systems with self-referencing and dual probing techniques are introduced. Also, high precision measurement using a common-path OCT configuration is demonstrated with the help of Fourier domain phase analysis.

Optical Coherence Tomography of Laryngeal Cancer

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution optical imaging technique that produces cross-sectional images of living tissues using light in a manner similar to ultrasound. This prospective study evaluated the ability of OCT to identify the characteristics of laryngeal cancer and measure changes in the basement membrane, tissue microstructure, and the transition zone at the edge of tumors. One hundred thirty-three patients underwent OCT examination during surgical endoscopy of the head and neck. Twenty-two patients with laryngeal cancer or a history of laryngeal cancer were imaged with a fiberoptic OCT system. Tumor and adjacent transition zones were imaged along with uninvolved subsites. OCT images were correlated with histopathology. Twenty-six OCT examinations were performed in 22 patients. Basement membrane disruption was seen in 18 subjects, all of whom had histology showing classic features of cancer. A transition zone to uninvolved epithelium at the tumor periphery was also often observed. In six studies, benign or premalignant processes were histologically confirmed. In three thin, superficial lesions, an intact basement membrane was observed. The basement membrane could not be identified in three other bulky exophytic, premalignant lesions, primarily because of increased superficial signal backscattering observed in pathologic tissues. OCT clearly identifies basement membrane violation from laryngeal cancer and can identify transition zones at the cancer margin. In bulky exophytic lesions, OCT signal may not penetrate deeply enough to show the basement membrane, but for many suspicious lesions that require exclusion of cancer, OCT shows potential for assisting in diagnostic assessment.

In Vivo Optical Coherence Tomography of the Human Larynx: Normative and Benign Pathology in 82 Patients

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging imaging modality that combines low-coherence light with interferometry to produce cross-sectional images of tissue with resolution about 10 mum. Patients undergoing surgical head and neck endoscopy were examined using a fiberoptic OCT imaging probe to study and characterize microstructural anatomy and features of the larynx and benign laryngeal pathology in vivo. Prospective clinical trial. OCT imaging of the larynx was performed in 82 of 115 patients who underwent surgical endoscopy for various head and neck pathologies. The OCT device employs a 1.3 microm broadband light source (FWHM, 80 nm). The frame rate is 1 Hz. Imaging was performed using a handheld probe placed in near contact with the target site. The maximum axial and lateral dimensions for the region of interest imaged were 2.5 mm x 6 mm, with resolutions of 10 microm. Simultaneously, conventional endoscopic images were obtained to provide anatomic correlation with OCT images and histology. Optical micrometry was performed to measure the epithelium thickness. Systematic OCT imaging of laryngeal structures and subsites provided information on the thickness of the epithelium, integrity of the basement membrane, and structure of the lamina propria. Microstructural features identified included glands, ducts, blood vessels, fluid collection/edema, and the transitions between pseudostratified columnar and stratified squamous epithelium. The mean epithelial thickness of laryngeal subsites was calculated: true vocal cord (129 microm), false vocal cords (124 microm), aryepiglottic fold (177 microm), subglottis (98 microm), and epiglottis (185 microm). True vocal cord pathology imaged included Reinke's edema, papillomatosis, polyps, mucous cysts, and granulation tissue. Subglottic imaging identified boundaries between epithelium, lamina propria, and cartilage. The OCT images compared favorably with conventional histopathology. OCT has the unique ability to image laryngeal tissue microstructure and can detail microanatomic changes in benign, premalignant, and malignant laryngeal pathologies. OCT holds the potential to guide surgical biopsies, direct therapy, and monitor disease, particularly when office-based systems are developed. This is a promising imaging modality to study the larynx.

Use of a blood substitute to determine instantaneous murine right ventricular thickening with optical coherence tomography.

A satisfactory imaging technique to determine regional wall thickening of the murine myocardium is not available. Although cardiovascular imaging with light offers a novel solution, application is problematic because scattering by erythrocytes causes significant optical attenuation. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a technique for detailed resolution imaging of highly scattering biological tissues. To reduce the high level of blood scattering, a method was devised whereby murine blood was replaced with a hemoglobin-based blood substitute. The scattering and absorption properties of in vitro preparations of whole blood and dilutions of blood with a blood substitute were determined with a spectrophotometer and an inverse-adding doubling algorithm. OCT imaging of the same dilutions demonstrated a significant reduction in scattering at a hematocrit <5%. A fiber-optic OCT imaging system was used to image the murine right midventricular free wall before and after isovolumic replacement with blood substitute. Strong light attenuation prevented full thickness imaging before replacement, whereas visualization of the full ventricular thickness was possible after replacement. Baseline and imaging hematocrits were 52.4+/-3.8% and 3.7+/-1.2%, respectively. End-systolic and end-diastolic thickness values were 0.458+/-0.051 mm and 0.352+/-0.047 mm. Percent thickening fraction was 30.8+/- 7.5%. Optical imaging of the intact beating murine right ventricle was substantially improved by isovolumic blood replacement with a hemoglobin-based blood substitute. Although the current study has been directed toward imaging the murine heart, a blood substitute may be applied to various optical diagnostic and therapeutic techniques under investigation in cardiovascular medicine.