High-speed submillimeter magnetic-driven rotational scanning side-imaging OCT probe

A high-speed side-imaging magnetic-driven scanning (MDS) probe is proposed for endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT). In the distal end of the probe, a reflecting micromirror is attached to a tiny magnet, which is driven by an external fast-rotating magnetic field to achieve unobstructed 360-degree side-view scanning. A prototype probe was fabricated with an outer diameter of 0.89 mm. Using the prototype probe, OCT images of an ex vivo porcine artery with implanted stent were acquired in 100 frames per second. The OCT engine was a swept-source system, and the system sensitivity with the prototype probe was 95 dB with an output power of 6 mW. The axial and lateral resolutions of the system were 10.3 and 39.7 μm, respectively. The high-speed submillimeter MDS-OCT probe provides a promising alternative endoscopic OCT solution for intravascular imaging applications.