High-speed forward-viewing optical coherence tomography probe based on Lissajous sampling and sparse reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Imaging
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Traditional optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems often lack miniaturization and speed for effective endoscopic applications.
• Raster scanning methods in OCT are bulky and limit real-time imaging capabilities.
• There is a need for compact, high-speed OCT probes for advanced endoscopic procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, miniaturized endoscopy probe utilizing optical coherence tomography (OCT).
• To enhance imaging speed and performance for endoscopic applications through innovative scanning and data acquisition techniques.
• To achieve a large field of view and working distance in a compact probe design.

Main Methods:

• Integration of sparse Lissajous scanning with compressed sensing (CS) in a compact 4 mm diameter OCT probe.
• Utilization of a dual-axis piezoelectric mechanism for efficient Lissajous pattern scanning, replacing bulky raster scanners.
• Application of compressive data reconstruction algorithms to minimize data collection and enable high-speed imaging.

Main Results:

• Achieved a large field of view (FOV) of 2.25 mm² and a 10 mm working distance.
• Enhanced imaging speed by over 40% compared to traditional OCT systems.
• Demonstrated significant improvements in miniaturization and overall performance for endoscopic OCT.

Conclusions:

• The novel OCT endoscopy probe offers a substantial advancement in imaging speed and miniaturization.
• The combination of Lissajous scanning and compressed sensing provides an efficient solution for high-speed endoscopic imaging.
• This technology holds significant potential for improving diagnostic capabilities and procedural outcomes in various endoscopic applications.