Rapid scanning catheterscope for expanded forward-view volumetric imaging with optical coherence tomography

We demonstrate a novel catheterscope, based on scanning fiber endoscopy, for volumetric imaging with optical coherence tomography (OCT), which possesses a high resonance frequency (>2  kHz) and a small outer diameter (OD) (1.07 mm). Our design is the fastest volumetric-scanning, forward-viewing catheterscope for OCT, and the scanning package has the smallest OD of any such OCT package published to date. Using a proof-of-operation catheterscope with commercial lenses, we demonstrate high-quality in vivo and ex vivo volumetric imaging and extend the 1.1 mm diameter field of view more than 200-fold by mosaicking. Due to its small OD, short rigid tip length, and fast scan rate, this scope is the leading candidate design to enable early detection and staging of bladder cancer during flexible white light cystoscopy.