Miniature forward-viewing common-path OCT probe for imaging the renal pelvis

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Renal pelvis imaging requires minimally invasive endoscopic tools.
• Current imaging techniques may lack the resolution for detailed tissue analysis.
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) offers high-resolution cross-sectional imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate an ultrathin, flexible OCT probe for renal pelvis imaging.
• To enable OCT imaging through the working channel of a flexible ureteroscope.
• To assess the probe's suitability for in vivo applications like cancer staging.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an ultrathin flexible OCT probe by splicing core-less and gradient-index (GRIN) fibers to a single-mode (SM) fiber.
• Design of a common-path OCT system utilizing the GRIN fiber/air interface as the reference signal.
• Implementation of a correlation algorithm to correct image distortions from probe rotation.
• Optimization of probe sensitivity with a 2-degree polished tip.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of an ultrathin flexible OCT probe compatible with ureteroscope working channels.
• Demonstrated in vivo imaging of human skin and ex vivo imaging of porcine renal pelvis.
• Achieved optimal sensitivity with a specific probe tip polish angle.
• Validated image correction algorithm for rotational distortions.

Conclusions:

• The developed OCT probe is suitable for renal pelvis imaging via flexible ureteroscopy.
• The technology holds promise for in vivo applications, including renal pelvis cancer staging.
• This advancement offers a new tool for minimally invasive endoscopic imaging and diagnosis.