ASSESSMENT OF EARLY OSTEOARTHRITIC CHANGES WITH OCT

描述（改编自申请人的摘要）： 本工作旨在开发一种新的关节内成像方法，以克服 目前的局限性再肝硬化诊断成像。 最近的报告 提示关节软骨损伤的进展 骨关节炎可能会被修改，因此需要更好的方法 对软骨的早期变化进行成像， 变化 各种成像模式已被应用于 评估早期骨关节炎异常，结果有限。 的 假设是光学相干层析成像（OCT），一种新光纤成像方法， 基于光学的微米级成像，可以发展为一种高分辨率的方法， 分辨率、微创、关节内成像，以解决当前的问题 联合诊断的局限性。 OCT类似于超声B模式 使用红外光而不是声波成像。 OCT是 对于关节内诊断成像是有吸引力的，因为其高 分辨率（4-20 um）、宽动态范围（110 dB）、小巧紧凑的设计和 能够通过小光纤进行成像。 申请人 建议主要通过背景可行性来检验假设 实验旨在评估该方法的最终效用。 这些 背景技术实验集中于识别 OCT用于关节内成像并最大化性能。 具体 目标是：1. 对大范围的关节软骨进行成像 识别OCT成像的局限性和优势。 2. 到 利用光分子相互作用的量化性质， 从光谱学角度探讨骨关节炎的生化变化 关节软骨 3. 为了证明OCT在以下情况下的性能， 兔膝关节的活体成像。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from Applicant's Abstract): The long term objective of this work is to develop a new method of intra articular imaging to overcome current limitations in reheumatologic diagnostic imaging. Recent reports suggesting that the progression of articular cartilage damage in osteoar-thritis may be modified have heightened the need for better methods to image early changes in cartilage and monitor the progression of these changes. A variety of imaging modalities have been applied to the assessment of early osteoarthritic abnormalities with limited results. The hypothesis is that optical coherence tomography (OCT), a new method of fiber optic based micron scale imaging, can be developed as a method of high resolution, minimally invasive, intra articular imaging to address current limitations in joint diagnostics. OCT is analogous to ultrasound B mode imaging using infrared light rather than acoustical waves. OCT is attractive for intra articular diagnostic imaging because of its high resolution (4-20 um), broad dynamic range (110 dB), small compact design and ability to perform imaging through small optical fibers. The applicants proposed to test the hypothesis principally through background feasibility experiments designed to assess the ultimate utility of the approach. These background experiments focus on identifying advantages and limitations of OCT for intra articular imaging and maximizing performance. The specific aims are to: 1. To perform imaging on a wide range of articular cartilage to identify limitations and advantages associated with OCT imaging. 2. To use the quantitized nature of light-molecular interaction to spectroscopically explore the biochemical changes of osteoarthritic articular cartilage. 3. To demonstrate the ability of OCT to perform in vivo imaging in a rabbit knee joint.