Optical coherence tomography and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy: Approaches to dual-channel retinal tissue imaging

We report a Talbot bands-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) system capable of producing longitudinal B-scan OCT images and en-face scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) images of the human retina in-vivo, with various degrees of simultaneity

Solid Chemical Radiation Dosimeter Semiannual Report

Temperature and X-irradiation strength effects on acid production and color changes in solid chemical radiation dosimete

High-precision, high-accuracy ultralong-range swept-source optical coherence tomography using vertical cavity surface emitting laser light source

We demonstrate ultralong-range swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging using vertical cavity surface emitting laser technology. The ability to adjust laser parameters and high-speed acquisition enables imaging ranges from a few centimeters up to meters using the same instrument. We discuss the challenges of long-range OCT imaging. In vivo human-eye imaging and optical component characterization are presented. The precision and accuracy of OCT-based measurements are assessed and are important for ocular biometry and reproducible intraocular distance measurement before cataract surgery. Additionally, meter-range measurement of fiber length and multicentimeter-range imaging are reported. 3D visualization supports a class of industrial imaging applications of OCT.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01-EY011289-26)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01 EY013178-12)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01-EY013516-09)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01-EY019029-03)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01-CA075289-15)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01-NS057476-05)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R44-CA101067-05)United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-10-1-0551)United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-10-1-0063

Programmable unitary spatial modes manipulation

Free space propagation and conventional optical systems such as lenses and mirrors all perform spatial unitary transforms. However, the subset of transforms available through these conventional systems is limited in scope. We present here a unitary programmable mode converter (UPMC) capable of performing any spatial unitary transform of the light field. It is based on a succession of reflections on programmable deformable mirrors and free space propagation. We first show theoretically that a UPMC without limitations on resources can perform perfectly any transform. We then build an experimental implementation of the UPMC and show that, even when limited to three reflections on an array of 12 pixels, the UPMC is capable of performing single mode tranforms with an efficiency greater than 80% for the first 4 modes of the TEM basis

Investigation of the impact of water absorption on retinal OCT imaging in the 1060 nm range

Recently, the wavelength range around 1060 nm has become attractive for retinal imaging with optical coherence tomography (OCT), promising deep penetration into the retina and the choroid. The adjacent water absorption bands limit the useful bandwidth of broadband light sources, but until now, the actual limitation has not been quantified in detail. We have numerically investigated the impact of water absorption on the axial resolution and signal amplitude for a wide range of light source bandwidths and center wavelengths. Furthermore, we have calculated the sensitivity penalty for maintaining the optimal resolution by spectral shaping. As our results show, with currently available semiconductor-based light sources with up to 100–120 nm bandwidth centered close to 1060 nm, the resolution degradation caused by the water absorption spectrum is smaller than 10%, and it can be compensated by spectral shaping with negligible sensitivity penalty. With increasing bandwidth, the resolution degradation and signal attenuation become stronger, and the optimal operating point shifts towards shorter wavelengths. These relationships are important to take into account for the development of new broadband light sources for OCT

Master slave en-face OCT/SLO

Master Slave optical coherence tomography (MS-OCT) is an OCT method that does not require resampling of data and can be used to deliver en-face images from several depths simultaneously. As the MS-OCT method requires important computational resources, the number of multiple depth en-face images that can be produced in real-time is limited. Here, we demonstrate progress in taking advantage of the parallel processing feature of the MS-OCT technology. Harnessing the capabilities of graphics processing units (GPU)s, information from 384 depth positions is acquired in one raster with real time display of up to 40 en-face OCT images. These exhibit comparable resolution and sensitivity to the images produced using the conventional Fourier domain based method. The GPU facilitates versatile real time selection of parameters, such as the depth positions of the 40 images out of the set of 384 depth locations, as well as their axial resolution. In each updated displayed frame, in parallel with the 40 en-face OCT images, a scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) lookalike image is presented together with two B-scan OCT images oriented along rectangular directions. The thickness of the SLO lookalike image is dynamically determined by the choice of number of en-face OCT images displayed in the frame and the choice of differential axial distance between them

MEMS tunable VCSEL light source for ultrahigh speed 60kHz - 1MHz axial scan rate and long range centimeter class OCT imaging

This paper demonstrates new wavelength swept light source technology, MEMS tunable VCSELs, for OCT imaging. The VCSEL achieves a combination of ultrahigh sweep speeds, wide spectral tuning range, flexibility in sweep trajectory, and extremely long coherence length, which cannot be simultaneously achieved with other technologies. A second generation prototype VCSEL is optically pumped at 980nm and a low mass electrostatically tunable mirror enables high speed wavelength tuning centered at ~1310nm with ~110nm of tunable bandwidth. Record coherence length >100mm enables extremely long imaging range. By changing the drive waveform, a single 1310nm VCSEL was driven to sweep at speeds from 100kHz to 1.2MHz axial scan rate with unidirectional and bidirectional high duty cycle sweeps. We demonstrate long range and high resolution 1310nm OCT imaging of the human anterior eye at 100kHz axial scan rate and imaging of biological samples at speeds of 60kHz - 1MHz. A first generation 1050nm device is shown to sweep over 100nm. The results of this study suggest that MEMS based VCSEL swept light source technology has unique performance characteristics and will be a critical technology for future ultrahigh speed and long depth range OCT imaging.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (2R44CA10167-05)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01-EY011289-25)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01-EY01356-06)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01-EY013178-11)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01-CA075289-15)United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-10-1-0063)United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-10-1-0551)Thorlabs, Inc

Parafoveal Retinal Vascular Response to Pattern Visual Stimulation Assessed with OCT Angiography

We used optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography with a high-speed swept-source OCT system to investigate retinal blood flow changes induced by visual stimulation with a reversing checkerboard pattern. The split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography (SSADA) algorithm was used to quantify blood flow as measured with parafoveal flow index (PFI), which is proportional to the density of blood vessels and the velocity of blood flow in the parafoveal region of the macula. PFI measurements were taken in 15 second intervals during a 4 minute period consisting of 1 minute of baseline, 2 minutes with an 8 Hz reversing checkerboard pattern stimulation, and 1 minute without stimulation. PFI measurements increased 6.1±4.7% (p = .001) during the first minute of stimulation, with the most significant increase in PFI occurring 30 seconds into stimulation (p<0.001). These results suggest that pattern stimulation induces a change to retinal blood flow that can be reliably measured with OCT angiography.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01 EY013516)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant Rosenbaum's P30EY010572)Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. (United States) (Grant R01-Ey11289-26)United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-10-1-0551

Imaging limbal and scleral vasculature using Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography

We demonstrate application of high-speed swept source optical coherence tomography for vessel visualization in the anterior segment of the human eye. The human corneo-scleral junction and sclera was imaged in vivo. Imaging was performed using a swept source OCT system operating at 1050nm wavelength range and 100kHz A-scan rate. The high imaging speed enables generation of 3D depth-resolved vasculature maps. The vessel visualization method revealed the rich vascular system in the conjunctiva and episclera.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (NIH grant R01-EY011289-25)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (NIH grant R01-EY013178-11)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (NIH grant R01-EY01356-06)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (NIH grant R01 CA075289-15)United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-10-1-0551)United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-10-1-0063)Foundation for Polish Science (KOLUMB Programme; KOL/3/2010I

Optical coherence tomography angiography of optic nerve head and parafovea in multiple sclerosis

Aims To investigate swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography in the optic nerve head (ONH) and parafoveal regions in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods Fifty-two MS eyes and 21 healthy control (HC) eyes were included. There were two MS subgroups: 38 MS eyes without an optic neuritis (ON) history (MS −ON), and 14 MS eyes with an ON history (MS +ON). The OCT images were captured by high-speed 1050 nm swept-source OCT. The ONH flow index (FI) and parafoveal FI were quantified from OCT angiograms. Results The mean ONH FI was 0.160±0.010 for the HC group, 0.156±0.017 for the MS−ON group, and 0.140±0.020 for the MS+ON group. The ONH FI of the MS+ON group was reduced by 12.5% compared to HC eyes (p=0.004). A higher percentage of MS+ON eyes had abnormal ONH FI compared to HC patients (43% vs 5%, p=0.01). Mean parafoveal FIs were 0.126±0.007, 0.127±0.010, and 0.129±0.005 for the HC, MS−ON, and MS +ON groups, respectively, and did not differ significantly among them. The coefficient of variation (CV) of intravisit repeatability and intervisit reproducibility were 1.03% and 4.53% for ONH FI, and 1.65% and 3.55% for parafoveal FI. Conclusions Based on OCT angiography, the FI measurement is feasible, highly repeatable and reproducible, and it is suitable for clinical measurement of ONH and parafoveal perfusion. The ONH FI may be useful in detecting damage from ON and quantifying its severity.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Clinical and Translational Science Award Grant UL1TR000128)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01 EY023285)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01 EY013516)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01-EY11289)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant P30EY010572)United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-10-1-0551)United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-12-1-0499)German Research Foundation (DFG-HO-1791/11-1)Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. (United States