Optical-domain subsampling for data efficient depth ranging in Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Medical Imaging Technology

Background:

• Advancements in optical coherence tomography (OCT) are hindered by acquisition electronics bandwidth limitations.
• Higher-speed OCT sources enabling longer depth imaging are not clinically adopted due to these electronic constraints.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce optical-domain subsampling to enable high-speed, extended-depth OCT imaging.
• Overcome current acquisition bandwidth limitations in OCT systems.

Main Methods:

• Optical-domain subsampling uses discrete wavelengths to alias fringe signals into a limited frequency window.
• Complex fringe signals are detected and depth-resolved scattering signals are recovered assuming a depth-constrained signal.
• Experimental demonstration utilized a polygon-filter based swept-source laser with an intra-cavity Fabry-Perot (FP) etalon.

Main Results:

• Optical-domain subsampling allows imaging at high speeds and extended depths with reduced acquisition bandwidth requirements.
• The method enables recovery of depth-resolved scattering signals without overlapping artifacts within the bandwidth-limited window.

Conclusions:

• Optical-domain subsampling is a viable method to bypass electronic bandwidth limitations in OCT.
• This technique facilitates the clinical adoption of advanced OCT imaging capabilities for higher speed and depth.