Stationary-fiber rotary probe with unobstructed 360° view for optical coherence tomography

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Side-scanning fiber probes are essential for optical coherence tomography (OCT).
• Existing probes can suffer from shadow effects and insertion losses, limiting imaging depth and signal quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate a novel on-axis rotating fiber probe for OCT.
• To achieve shadow-free, in situ, circumferential scanning with improved signal detection.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an on-axis rotating probe with a miniature motor at the distal end.
• The motor features a bored-out shaft to accommodate the optical fiber, enabling stable scanning.
• The design minimizes optical coupling components and interfaces to reduce insertion losses.

Main Results:

• The developed probe performs stable and uniform circumferential scanning.
• The design eliminates shadow effects caused by motor wires.
• Reduced insertion losses facilitate sensing of weak backscattered signals from deep tissues.

Conclusions:

• The novel fiber probe design offers significant advantages for OCT imaging.
• It enables shadow-free, stable scanning and improved signal detection for deeper tissue visualization.
• This advancement is crucial for enhanced medical diagnosis and imaging applications.