SBIR Phase I: Extended depth imaging with OCT

该SBIR第一阶段项目将开发光学相干断层扫描（OCT）的扩展深度成像变体。OCT是一种光学成像方法，可以以显微镜分辨率可视化高达1 mm深的组织结构。它已经很好地适应视网膜成像，但尽管可用于皮肤成像应用，性能和价格点不足以鼓励市场采用。基于NSF支持的杜克大学的研究，该项目将OCT的深度范围从目前的1-2 mm（仅为皮肤的最表层）扩展到3-4 mm，从而能够对皮肤层进行全面成像，直至真皮交界处。这将使皮肤科医生能够在没有大量财务支出的情况下使用OCT，并在办公室环境中提供非侵入性成像模式。扩展深度成像也适用于牙科成像，并可以使牙医通过提供牙齿和牙龈的横截面图像来减少对X射线成像的需求。由于这些OCT仪器非常便携，因此深度成像系统可以广泛用于实验室工作台、现场或整个医疗办公室。该项目将支持新产品的开发以及设计和构建它们的团队。扩展深度成像OCT使用新颖的设计来显著增加OCT进入皮肤、牙齿和其他样本的深度穿透。通过使用不同的照明和收集孔径，扩展深度（或双轴）OCT可以将信号三角测量到组织表面深处的层。与以前的OCT系统相比，这将成像深度增加了2倍。这项创新将与专有的光谱仪设计相结合，该设计是为了利用3D打印方法而开发的，以开发一种具有临床皮肤病学和牙科商业成功所需的性能和价格的颠覆性成像新仪器。该提案将建立一个原型系统，并在几种类型的动物组织上进行测试。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This SBIR Phase I project will develop an extended depth imaging variation of optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT is an optical imaging method that can visualize tissue structures up to 1mm deep with microscopic resolution. It has been well adapted for retinal imaging but although available for skin imaging application, the performance and price point are not sufficient to encourage market adoption. Building on NSF supported research at Duke University, this project will extend the depth range of OCT from the current 1-2 mm, which is only the most superficial layer of skin, to 3-4 mm, enabling full imaging of skin layers down to the dermal junction. This will enable dermatologists to access OCT without a large financial outlay and provide a non-invasive imaging modality in the office setting.Extended depth imaging is also applicable to dental imaging and may allow dentists to reduce the need for X-ray imaging by providing cross sectional images of teeth and gums. Since these OCT instruments are highly portable, the deep imaging system can be widely used, across lab benches, in the field or shared throughout a medical office. This project will support the development of new products and the teams that design and build them. Extended depth imaging OCT uses a novel design to dramatically increase the depth penetration of OCT into skin, teeth and other samples. By using distinct illumination and collection apertures, extended depth (or dual axis) OCT can triangulate the signal to layers deep beneath the tissue surface. Compared to previous OCT systems, this increases the imaging depth by a factor of 2. This innovation will be combined with proprietary spectrometer design, which was developed to take advantage of 3D printing methods, to develop a disruptive new instrument for imaging with the performance and price necessary for commercial success in clinical dermatology and dentistry. This proposal will build a prototype system and test it on several types of animal tissue.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.