Strain and elasticity imaging in compression optical coherence elastography: The two-decade perspective and recent...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Medical Imaging
• Biophysics

Background:

• Quantitative mapping of deformation and elasticity using optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been a research focus for two decades.
• Optical coherence elastography (OCE) has matured into a practically useful technique, mirroring developments in ultrasound elastography.
• Both quasi-static compression (C-OCE) and shear-wave approaches have developed in parallel within OCE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of compression optical coherence elastography (C-OCE).
• To discuss the practical challenges associated with realizing C-OCE.
• To present examples of biomedical applications utilizing C-OCE.

Main Methods:

• Focus on the underlying principles of C-OCE.
• Review practical challenges in C-OCE implementation.
• Illustrate C-OCE capabilities with biomedical application examples.

Main Results:

• Recent breakthroughs have enabled quantitative mapping of local strains and Young's modulus in C-OCE.
• C-OCE, though historically earlier, is gaining traction due to recent advancements.
• OCE can visualize complex transient strains, as demonstrated in a corneal sample experiment.

Conclusions:

• C-OCE is a developing technique with significant potential for quantitative elasticity mapping.
• Overcoming practical challenges is key to broader adoption of C-OCE.
• Recent advancements position C-OCE as a valuable tool for biomedical research and diagnostics.