Parallel en-face optical coherence microscopy with adaptive focus

描述（由申请人提供）：具有自适应聚焦的平行正脸光学相干显微镜李国强摘要我们提出了一种新的具有自适应聚焦的平行非正交光学相干显微镜（OCM），用于一般的高速高分辨率正脸生物医学成像。光学相干层析成像（OCT）已成为一种新兴的成像模式，具有高的深度分辨率。光学共焦显微镜是一种利用共焦结构在物臂上成像的光学相干断层成像技术，具有较好的横向和深度分辨率。在临床上，用户更熟悉C扫描（正面）图像。并行OCT成像已被研究，但不是在OCM架构。此外，在常规OCT/OCM成像中，仅在靠近焦平面的区域中可以保持良好的横向分辨率。动态聚焦只能通过机械运动来实现。为了克服这些问题，在这里，我们提出了证明，第一次，非平移平行面对OCM成像仪器与自适应聚焦。采用可编程的数字CCD器件进行并行共焦采样，采用电光变焦透镜进行快速深度扫描，采用速率超过7500帧/秒的快速CMOS相机进行数据采集。利用自适应聚焦，横向分辨率在成像深度上是恒定的。在三维空间中，空间分辨率可以是大约15 m W 15 m W 15 m。成像深度高于单独的共焦或全场OCT成像。由于数字图像处理装置（微秒）、变焦距透镜（ms）和CMOS照相机的快速，数据采集速度非常高（7500帧/秒）。像素停留时间显著增加。它允许较低的激发激光功率、较高的灵敏度和较少的热损伤。信噪比将高于没有共焦架构的其他全场OCT成像。由于在物体臂中，纵向和横向扫描都是在没有平移分量的情况下电光地执行的，因此可以避免由于常规成像系统的机械振动而导致的样品的移动效应。该仪器为真实的实时评估组织和细胞的功能和形态提供了一种新的工具。在这个技术驱动项目的拟议探索阶段，我们将对一般生物相关样本进行实验，以证明系统的功能。这些样品包括基于明胶包埋的微球的组织模型，所述微球覆盖USAF 1951靶、洋葱皮、蝌蚪和离体牛眼。生物样本的图像将与已发布的相应薄切片样本的OCT图像和显微镜图像进行比较。 公共卫生相关性（由申请人提供）：我们提出了一种新的并行非分层光学相干显微镜（OCM），具有自适应聚焦，用于一般的高速高分辨率面生物医学成像。我们的研究计划目前集中在演示这种新技术的可行性。利用自适应聚焦，横向分辨率在成像深度上是恒定的。在三维空间中，空间分辨率可以是大约15 m W 15 m W 15 m。成像深度高于单独的共焦或全场OCT成像。由于数字图像处理装置（微秒）、变焦透镜（ms）和CMOS照相机的快速，数据采集速度非常高（7500帧/秒）。像素停留时间显著增加。它允许较低的激发激光功率、较高的灵敏度和较少的热损伤。信噪比将高于没有共焦架构的其他全场OCT成像。由于在物体臂中，纵向和横向扫描都是在没有平移分量的情况下电光地执行的，因此可以避免由于常规成像系统的机械振动而导致的样品的移动效应。该仪器为真实的实时评估组织和细胞的功能和形态提供了一种新的工具。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Parallel en-face optical coherence microscopy with adaptive focus Guoqiang Li Abstract We propose a novel parallel nonstralational optical coherence microscopy (OCM) with adaptive focus for general high-speed high-resolution en-face biomedical imaging. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become an emerging imaging modality with high depth resolution. OCM is one kind of OCT imaging technique with better tranverse and depth resolution by using confocal architecture in the object arm. Typical OCT systems generate B-scan cross section images. In clinic, the users are more familiar with C-scan (en face) images. Parallel OCT imaging has been studied, but not in the OCM architecture. Furthermore, in the conventional OCT/OCM imaging, good tranverse resolution can be maintained only in the region close to the focal plane. Dynamic focusing can only be done by mechanic movement. To overcome these problems, here we propose to demonstrate, for the first time, a nontranslational parallel en-face OCM imaging instrument with adaptive focus. A programmable digital micromirror device is used for parallel confocal sampling, an electro-optic varifocal lens for rapid depth scanning, and a rapid CMOS camera with more than 7500 frames/s rate for data collection. With adaptive focusing, the transverse resolution is constant across the depth of imaging. The spatial resolution can be around 15m W 15m W 15m in three dimensions. The imaging depth is higher than that of the confocal or full-field OCT imaging alone. With the rapid speed of the digital micromirror device (microsecond), the vafifocal lens(ms), and the CMOS camera, the data acquisition speed is very high (7500 frames/s). The pixel dwell time is significantly increased. It allows lower excitation laser power, higher sensitivity, and less thermal damage. The signal-to-noise ratio would be higher than other full-field OCT imaging without confocal architecture. Since in the object arm, both longitudinal and transverse scannings are performed electro-optically without translational components, the moving effect of the sample due to mechanic vibration of the conventional imaging system can be avoided. The instrument provides a new tool to assess tissue and cell function and morphology in real time. In the proposed exploratory phase of this technology-driven project, we will perform experiments on general biologic relevant samples to demonstrate the functionality of the system. These samples include tissue phantoms based on gelatin embedded micro spheres covering a USAF 1951 target, onion skin, tadpole and ex vivo bovine eye. Images from biological samples will be compared to published OCT images and microscopy images of our corresponding thin sectioned samples. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE (provided by applicant): We have proposed a novel parallel nonstralational optical coherence microscopy (OCM) with adaptive focus for general high-speed high-resolution en-face biomedical imaging. Our research proposal currently focuses on demonstration the feasibility of this new technique. With adaptive focusing, the transverse resolution is constant across the depth of imaging. The spatial resolution can be around 15m W 15m W 15m in three dimensions. The imaging depth is higher than that of the confocal or full-field OCT imaging alone. With the rapid speed of the digital micromirror device (microsecond), the varifocal lens(ms), and the CMOS camera, the data acquisition speed is very high (7500 frames/s). The pixel dwell time is significantly increased. It allows lower excitation laser power, higher sensitivity, and less thermal damage. The signal-to-noise ratio would be higher than other full-field OCT imaging without confocal architecture. Since in the object arm, both longitudinal and transverse scannings are performed electro-optically without translational components, the moving effect of the sample due to mechanic vibration of the conventional imaging system can be avoided. The instrument provides a new tool to assess tissue and cell function and morphology in real time.