In vivo cervical imaging with an integrated Optical Coherence Tomography colposcope

We report the first demonstration of integrated Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) colposcopy for in vivo imaging of cervical neoplasia in patients. The cervix is an excellent model system for investigating imaging modalities and cancer. Integrating OCT with colposcopy, or low mimerical aperture microscopy in general, is a powerful technique since it permits simultaneous en face viewing of structural features while allowing precise registration of the OCT scan plane. Image processing techniques can be used for the analysis and interpretation of the OCT images, enabling statistical interpretation and visualization of image data as well as rapid analysis of large volumes of data.