Quantitative upper airway endoscopy with swept-source anatomical optical coherence tomography

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Minimally invasive imaging is crucial for diagnosing upper airway obstructions.
• Current methods lack the precision needed for detailed lumen geometry quantification.
• Improved imaging can enhance clinical decision-making for airway disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate an anatomical optical coherence tomography (aOCT) system for quantifying upper airway lumen geometry.
• To assess the system's accuracy and performance in relevant phantoms and ex vivo models.
• To establish a tool for improved diagnosis and management of upper airway obstructive disorders.

Main Methods:

• A flexible endoscopic anatomical optical coherence tomography (aOCT) system was designed using a small-bore, proximally-scanned fiber-optic catheter (820 μm outer diameter).
• A long coherence length wavelength-swept light source was employed for optimal imaging range and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) roll-off (< 10 dB over 10 mm).
• Helical scans were acquired at 10 rotations/s, enabling quantitative analysis of cross-sectional airway areas.

Main Results:

• The aOCT system demonstrated high accuracy in segmenting cross-sectional areas, with an average error of -1.4 ± 1.0%.
• The system maintained a low SNR roll-off over a significant imaging range, ensuring reliable data acquisition.
• Successful imaging was performed on a pediatric airway phantom and ex vivo swine trachea, validating its applicability.

Conclusions:

• The developed endoscopic aOCT system offers a minimally invasive approach for precise, quantitative assessment of upper airway lumen geometry.
• This technology has the potential to significantly aid in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and predictive modeling of pediatric and adult upper airway obstructive conditions.
• Quantitative endoscopy via aOCT represents a significant advancement for managing complex airway diseases.