Robust High-Resolution Fine OCT Needle for Side-Viewing Interstitial Tissue Imaging.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Standard biopsy needles lack real-time imaging capabilities.
• Integrating imaging into biopsy tools is crucial for minimally invasive procedures.
• Previous OCT needle designs faced challenges with optical quality and robustness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop fine optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging needles integrated with standard biopsy needles.
• To enhance optical quality and mechanical robustness of OCT imaging needles.
• To enable real-time, cross-sectional imaging for image-guided biopsy.

Main Methods:

• Developed a novel optics design encasing a fiber-optic lens and microreflector within a microglass tube.
• Minimized cylindrical lens effects from the glass tube.
• Integrated the miniature imaging needle with a 1300-nm swept-source OCT system for ex vivo tissue imaging.

Main Results:

• Achieved improved mechanical and optical performance of the OCT imaging needle.
• Demonstrated successful real-time cross-sectional OCT imaging of various ex vivo tissue samples.
• The new design simplifies the needle assembly process.

Conclusions:

• The developed fine OCT imaging needle shows significant potential for minimally invasive interstitial imaging.
• This technology can enhance image-guided biopsy procedures.
• Further development could lead to improved diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.