Rapid volumetric and functional imaging using low coherence interferometry

本研究提案的目的是研究新的光学技术，以推进在高散射介质（如组织）中成像的最新技术水平。具体而言，将通过以下两个目标研究基于低相干干涉的技术用于眼科成像： 目的1：新型快速体积视网膜图像采集： 光学相干断层扫描（OCT）是一种非接触式成像模式，用于生物组织的微米级亚表面成像。尽管使用傅立叶域（FD）检测可实现采集速率的增加，但是使用FDOCT的体积成像仍然受到运动伪影的阻碍。本文将研究压缩采样的新方法，以减少体积采集时间，并改善波长扫描激光FDOCT中干涉信号的采集。 目的2：体内高分辨率三维分子对比成像： FDOCT的技术局限性在于图像是纯结构的，并且不包含关于样品的分子组成的信息。FDOCT包含分子特异性检测能力对于促进生物样品中的功能成像是重要的。使用荧光相干断层扫描（FCT）的荧光标记物的深度分辨成像将作为与FDOCT结构成像互补的体内成像模式进行研究。 我的生物光子学研究计划的潜在影响是改善临床眼科诊断的成像技术，并创造新的工具来加速视觉研究，以临床前开发视觉掠夺疾病的实验疗法。

The purpose of this research proposal is to investigate novel optical techniques to advance the state of the art for imaging in highly scattering media such as tissue. Specifically, low coherence interferometry based techniques will be investigated for ophthalmic imaging through the following two objectives: Objective 1: Novel rapid volumetric retinal image acquisition: Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-contact imaging modality for micrometer scale sub-surface imaging of biological tissue. Despite the increases in acquisition rate achievable with Fourier Domain (FD) detection, volumetric imaging with FDOCT is still hampered by motion artifact. Novel methods in Compressive Sampling will be investigated to decrease the volumetric acquisition time, and to improve interferometric signal acquisition in FDOCT with wavelength swept lasers. Objective 2: High-resolution three-dimensional molecular contrast imaging in vivo: A technological limitation of FDOCT is that the images are purely structural, and do not contain information on the molecular make-up of the sample. The inclusion of molecule specific detection capabilities with FDOCT is important to facilitate functional imaging in biological samples. Depth resolved imaging of fluorescent labels using Fluorescence Coherence Tomography (FCT) will be investigated as an in vivo imaging modality that is complementary to structural imaging with FDOCT. The potential impact of my research program in Biophotonics is to improve imaging technology for clinical ophthalmic diagnosis, and to create novel tools to accelerate vision research in the preclinical development of experimental therapies for vision robbing diseases.