Guide to dynamic OCT data analysis

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Optical Physics

Background:

• Dynamic optical coherence tomography (DOCT) offers insights into biological processes like flow dynamics and cell motility.
• Current DOCT applications lack standardization due to diverse algorithm development across research groups.
• OCT architecture parameters (wavelength, NA, implementation) influence sensitivity to biological phenomena.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the performance of four widely used DOCT algorithms.
• To evaluate algorithm suitability across different OCT technologies and imaging environments.
• To provide guidance for selecting appropriate DOCT algorithms based on application needs.

Main Methods:

• Cross-wise comparison of four DOCT algorithms: power spectral density moment analysis, frequency band visualization, logarithmic intensity variation evaluation, and motility-based analysis.
• Utilized datasets acquired from diverse OCT setups: full-field OCT, microscopic OCT, swept-source OCT, and spectral domain OCT.
• Evaluated algorithms based on their performance across varying temporal and spatial resolutions and susceptibility to motion artifacts.

Main Results:

• Each DOCT algorithm demonstrated unique strengths in specific imaging environments.
• Algorithm performance varied depending on the OCT technology's resolution and motion artifact susceptibility.
• No single algorithm proved universally superior across all tested OCT setups.

Conclusions:

• Algorithm selection for DOCT should be tailored to the specific OCT imaging system and application requirements.
• The findings offer valuable guidance for researchers and clinicians utilizing DOCT for biological studies.
• Standardization of DOCT algorithms could enhance reproducibility and comparability across studies.