Intravascular polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography based on polarization mode delay

Abstract

Intravascular polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (IV-PSOCT) provides depth-resolved tissue birefringence which can be used to evaluate the mechanical stability of a plaque. In our previous study, we reported a new strategy to construct polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography in a microscope platform. Here, we demonstrated that this technology can be implemented in an endoscope platform, which has many clinical applications. A conventional intravascular OCT system can be modified for IV-PSOCT by introducing a 12-m polarization-maintaining fiber-based imaging probe. Its two polarization modes separately produce OCT images of polarization detection channels spatially distinguished by an image separation of 2.7 mm. We experimentally validated our IV-PSOCT with chicken tendon, chicken breast, and coronary artery as the image samples. We found that the birefringent properties can be successfully visualized by our IV-PSOCT.

Detecting vulnerable carotid plaque and its component characteristics: Progress in related imaging techniques

“…It has also been reported that OCT has high sensitivity and specificity in detecting lipid-rich plaques, verified by autopsy specimens (90-94% and 90-92%, respectively) (55). Another study demonstrated a significant correlation between FC thickness, lipid core size, and the proportion of lipid content between groups through OCT measurement (56), confirming the high efficiency of OCT. Moreover, OCT cap thickness measurements were associated with the prevalence of plaque rupture (57).…”