Wave-based optical coherence elastography: The 10-year perspective.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Biophysics
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Optical coherence elastography (OCE) based on mechanical wave propagation is a key non-destructive tissue characterization method.
• It has significantly advanced quantitative biomechanics, surpassing earlier ultrasound and magnetic resonance elastography techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the fundamental principles, categories, and state-of-the-art techniques of wave-based OCE.
• To discuss current challenges and future directions, including clinical translation.

Main Methods:

• Focuses on novel wave excitation methods in tissues.
• Employs advanced analytical and numerical models for mechanical wave analysis under complex boundary conditions.
• Utilizes novel estimators for quantitative 2D/3D biomechanical information retrieval.

Main Results:

• Wave-based OCE has driven progress in understanding mechanical waves and developing quantitative estimators.
• Significant advancements have been made in basic science and medical disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
• Early clinical trials and translational research are underway for clinical application.

Conclusions:

• Wave-based OCE represents a major advancement in non-destructive tissue biomechanical characterization.
• The field shows great promise for improved medical diagnostics and treatment monitoring.
• Continued research and clinical translation are crucial for realizing OCE's full potential.