In vivo endoscopic optical coherence elastography based on a miniature probe.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Medical Imaging
• Biophysics

Background:

• Optical coherence elastography (OCE) extends optical coherence tomography (OCT) for high-resolution tissue elasticity assessment.
• Current limitations in endoscopic OCE include probe size, excitation efficiency, and speed for in vivo applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate the first in vivo endoscopic OCE system.
• To overcome challenges in probe miniaturization and improve excitation efficiency for endoscopic elasticity imaging.

Main Methods:

• Development of a novel endoscopic OCE system with a 0.9 mm integrated probe.
• Utilized a 38-MHz high-frequency ultrasound transducer for rapid tissue deformation induction.
• Validated accuracy using phantom studies comparing OCE results with compression testing.

Main Results:

• Achieved the first successful in vivo endoscopic OCE imaging.
• Phantom studies demonstrated high quantification accuracy comparable to compression testing.
• In vivo rat vaginal imaging precisely distinguished normal tissue, hematomas, and fibrotic tissue based on elasticity.

Conclusions:

• The developed endoscopic OCE system successfully performs in vivo elasticity imaging.
• This technology significantly advances the potential for early diagnosis of intraluminal diseases.
• The system's miniaturization and accuracy pave the way for clinical translation of endoscopic OCE.