Dermascope guided multiple reference optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Abstract:In this paper, we report the feasibility of integrating a novel low cost optical coherence tomography (OCT) system with a dermascope for point-of-care applications. The proposed OCT system is based on an enhanced time-domain optical coherence tomographic system, called multiple reference OCT (MR-OCT), which uses a single miniature voice coil actuator and a partial mirror for extending the axial scan range. The system can simultaneously register both the superficial dermascope image and the depth-resolved OCT sub-surface information by an interactive beam steering method. A practitioner is able to obtain the depth resolved information of the point of interest by simply using the mouse cursor. The proposed approach of combining a dermascope with a low cost OCT provides a unique powerful optical imaging modality for a range of dermatological applications. Hand-held dermascopic OCT devices would also enable point of care and remote health monitoring.

Dermoscopy guided dark-field multi-functional optical coherence tomography

“…In previous studies, additional use of OCT to dermoscopy showed improvement of sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing non-pigmented BCC [27] and provided more precise presurgical margin of BCC [28]. Recently, a technical combination of dermoscopy and OCT using a dichroic mirror (DM) was demonstrated [29]. However, it did not utilize augmented functional OCT techniques such as polarization-sensitive and angiographic OCTs.…”

Development of a first-generation miniature multiple reference optical coherence tomography imaging device

“…A simple experiment, which is commonly performed for the calibration of MR-OCT systems, is done by acquiring A-lines of a single-reflecting surface (such as a mirror or optical blank) and stepping it toward or away from the system with successive scans. 7 If all of the processing steps outlined above are employed correctly, the resultant image is a clean, straight line. An example of the calibration of the miniature MR-OCT module used in this work can be seen in Fig.…”

“…Dsouza et al have previously shown that the sensitivity of a benchtop MR-OCT falls off linearly (in dB) at a rate of 1.1 dB per order. 7 The primary explanation for this is that the reference intensity for each order decreases as a function of the transmission percentage of the partial mirror, i.e., a higher transmission value of the partial mirror will cause the intensity to fall off at a higher rate per order. However, the result shown in Fig.…”

“…The MR-OCT approach enables the use of low cost, off the shelf mechanical components such as voice coils that have been shown to be effective miniature, low-voltage actuators. [7][8][9] Hence, this technology has the potential to produce a fully functional OCT system (excluding processing and display) with a bill of materials of approximately $10. 10 Furthermore, we expect MR-OCT devices to be available before photonic integrated circuit-based devices reach their full potential.…”

Economical and compact briefcase spectral-domain optical coherence tomography system for primary care and point-of-care applications

“…Previous reports demonstrated the development of a compact platform within a handheld low-coherence interferometry (LCI) system, 20 and a multiple reference (MR) OCT system. [21][22][23] The handheld LCI system used for in vivo ear imaging was based on a linear OCT approach, 20 and the overall cost to develop this system was significantly lower than most other FD-OCT systems. MR-OCT, another low-cost OCT approach, was developed based on a partial mirror and actuator configuration, generating a recirculating optical delay line.…”