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Optical coherence tomography for evaluating capillary waves in blood and plasma
Hsiao-Chuan Liu1, Piotr Kijanka1,2, Matthew W Urban1,3
1Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Biomedical Optics Express
|March 25, 2020
Summary
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can measure capillary wave phase velocities in fluids. This technique shows promise for determining fluid surface tension and viscosity, aiding in future disease diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Fluid mechanics
- Optical physics
- Biomedical optics
Background:
- Capillary waves are linked to fluid mechanical properties like surface tension and viscosity.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is established for measuring viscoelasticity in biological tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate OCT's capability in evaluating capillary wave phase velocities in various fluids.
- To compare experimental OCT results with theoretical calculations for fluid properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilized OCT to measure capillary waves at the air-fluid interface for water, porcine whole blood, and plasma.
- Performed theoretical calculations to determine capillary wave phase velocities.
- Compared experimental OCT data with theoretical predictions.
Main Results:
- OCT successfully evaluated the phase velocities of capillary waves in the tested fluids.
- Experimental results from OCT showed high comparability with theoretical calculations.
- Demonstrated the potential for OCT to measure fluid surface tension and viscosity.
Conclusions:
- OCT is a promising tool for assessing capillary wave phase velocities in fluids.
- The described OCT methods offer a potential pathway for determining fluid surface tension and viscosity.
- This technique could be applied to biological applications, such as differentiating hematological diseases.
