A Novel In-Axis Beam-Splitting Common-Path Michelson Interferometer for Endoscopi

描述（由申请人提供）：作为一种无创成像方式，光学相干断层扫描（OCT）已被证明对恶性癌症的早期诊断和图像引导干预非常有用。然而，由于光的穿透深度有限，OCT仅对地下成像有效。为了克服这一限制，内窥镜OCT已经开发出来，其中将柔性OCT探针插入体腔以成像内部器官。目前，基于光纤迈克尔逊干涉仪（FOMI）、光纤马赫-曾德干涉仪（FOMZI）或光纤菲索干涉仪（FOFI）实现的内镜探头存在相位稳定性差、下行灵敏度和FOMI和FOMZI的探头长度不可扩展、MOFI的工作距离有限和灵敏度降低等缺点。这些缺点阻碍了内镜下OCT的临床应用。本区域应用的目的是开发一种新的共径OCT （CP-OCT）探针，该探针具有可扩展和可调节的工作距离，高相位稳定性，高空间分辨率和可忽略的下导联灵敏度，用于体内内镜下光学活检。该项目的关键创新是一种新型的超紧凑、轴内分束、共程迈克尔逊干涉仪，该干涉仪有效地解决了极化和色散不匹配问题，从而实现了高相位稳定性和可扩展的探头长度。本项目设计了两个具体目标，包括：1)开发一种新型超紧凑CP-OCT内窥镜探头；2)使用扫描源OCT （SSOCT）系统评估和演示开发的CP-OCT探头。将进行新型OCT探头的光学和机械设计，设计结果将用于指导实验室式原型的实现。台式SSOCT系统将用于开发的OCT探头的性能评估和技术演示。预计这项工作将为扩大我们现有的研究范围奠定坚实的基础，并为国家的生物医学研究和教育做出贡献。在成功实现特定目标后，将进行后续阶段的研究（通过R15或R21机制）。该领域提案的一个重要目标/任务是加强密苏里科技大学（MST）与健康有关的研究环境。本区域的研究课题是为了充分利用我们在光纤干涉仪、光子微结构、器件和传感器方面的现有优势而精心选择的。本科生和研究生将接受健康相关研究方面的直接培训。此外，一些研究成果将转化为课堂教学材料，使MST的广大学生接触到与健康相关的研究课题。小灵通398/2590 （Rev. 11/07）页延续格式页

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): As a noninvasive imaging modality, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been proven useful for early diagnosis of malignant cancers as well as image-guided interventions. However, OCT is only effective for subsurface imaging due to the limited penetration depth of light. To overcome this limitation, endoscopic OCT has been developed in which a flexible OCT probe is inserted into a body cavity for imaging internal organs. Current endoscopic probes, implemented based on the fiber optic Michelson interferometer (FOMI), fiber optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer (FOMZI), or fiber optic Fizeau interferometer (FOFI), have a number of drawbacks such as poor phase stability, downlead sensitivity and non-extendable probe length for FOMI and FOMZI, limited working distance and reduced sensitivity for MOFI. These drawbacks have hindered the clinical applications of endoscopic OCT. The objective of this AREA application is to develop a new common-path OCT (CP-OCT) probe with extended and adjustable working distance, high phase stability, high spatial resolution, and negligible downlead sensitivity for in vivo endoscopic optical biopsy. The key innovation in this program is a novel ultracompact, in-axis beam-splitting, common-path Michelson interferometer that effectively circumvents the polarization and dispersion mismatch issues to achieve a high phase stability and extendable probe length. Two specific aims are designed in this program, including: 1) Development of a novel ultracompact CP- OCT endoscopic probe, and 2) Evaluation and demonstration of the developed CP-OCT probe using a swept source OCT (SSOCT) system. The optical and mechanical designs of the new OCT probe will be performed and the design results will be used to guide the implementation of a lab-style prototype. A bench-top SSOCT system will be implemented for performance evaluation and technology demonstration of the developed OCT probe. It is anticipated that this work will lay a solid foundation to expand our existing research scope and make contributions to the Nation's biomedical research and education. Upon successful achievement of the specific aims, a subsequent phase of research (through R15 or R21 mechanism) will be pursued. An important objective/task embedded in this AREA proposal is to strengthen the health-related research environment at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (MST). This AREA research topic has been carefully chosen to leverage our existing strengths in optical fiber interferometers, photonic micro structures, devices and sensors. Undergraduate and graduate students will receive direct trainings in health-related research. In addition, some of the research results will be converted to class instruction materials to expose a large student body at MST to health-related research topics. PHS 398/2590 (Rev. 11/07) Page Continuation Format Page PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The main objective of this proposal is to develop a novel common-path OCT probe with extended and adaptable working distance, high phase stability, high spatial resolution, and negligible downlead sensitivity for in vivo endoscopic optical biopsy. The new endoscopic OCT probe has a great potential for early diagnosis of malignant cancers as well as image-guided interventions in human internal organs.