Applying RGB LED in full-field optical coherence tomography for real-time full-color tissue imaging

A conventional handheld skin camera is suitable for 2D inspection of shallow skin. Due to its high resolution and noninvasiveness, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become a popular medical-imaging technology. Among OCT schemes, full-field optical coherence tomography (FF-OCT) is suitable for rapid en face imaging, as it uses a 2D imaging device for pixel processing of a sample plane. Because of its wide bandwidth and long lifetime, an RGB LED was chosen in an FF-OCT system among three source candidates in this study. A full-color tissue image and real-time video were obtained from the system to demonstrate the potential of the RGB LED FF-OCT system in medical imaging. All devices used here can be integrated by micro-optoelectromechanical technology into a handheld model. Noninvasive, real-time, full-color handheld imaging capability contributes to advance dermatology and cosmetology.