Rapid-scanning forward-imaging miniature endoscope for real-time optical coherence tomography.

We developed a miniature endoscope that is capable of rapid lateral scanning and is suitable for real-time forward-imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT). The endoscope has an outer diameter of 2.4 mm, consisting of a miniature tubular lead zirconate titanate (PZT) actuator, a single-mode fiber-optic cantilever, and a graded-index lens. Rapid lateral scanning at 2.8 kHz is achieved when the fiber-optic cantilever is resonated with the PZT actuator. This allows OCT imaging to be performed by fast lateral beam scanning followed by slow depth scanning, which is different from the conventional OCT imaging sequence. Real-time OCT imaging with the endoscope operated in the new image acquisition sequence at 6 frames/s is demonstrated.

[1]  G. Binnig,et al.  Single-tube three-dimensional scanner for scanning tunneling microscopy , 1986 .

[2]  J. Fujimoto,et al.  High-speed phase- and group-delay scanning with a grating-based phase control delay line. , 1997, Optics letters.

[3]  C K Hitzenberger,et al.  Dispersion effects in partial coherence interferometry: implications for intraocular ranging. , 1999, Journal of biomedical optics.

[4]  Wolfgang Drexler,et al.  OCT imaging of osteoarthritic cartilage: structure, polarization sensitivity, and clinical feasibility , 1999, Photonics West - Biomedical Optics.

[5]  G. Gelikonov,et al.  In vivo endoscopic OCT imaging of precancer and cancer states of human mucosa. , 1997, Optics express.

[6]  Ingmar Hartl,et al.  High-speed path-length scanning with a multiple-pass cavity delay line. , 2003, Applied optics.

[7]  G. Fedder,et al.  Endoscopic optical coherence tomography based on a microelectromechanical mirror. , 2001, Optics letters.

[8]  Xiumei Liu,et al.  Rapid scanning all-reflective optical delay line for real-time optical coherence tomography. , 2004, Optics letters.

[9]  Eric J Seibel,et al.  Unique features of optical scanning, single fiber endoscopy * ** , 2002, Lasers in surgery and medicine.

[10]  B E Bouma,et al.  Forward-imaging instruments for optical coherence tomography. , 1997, Optics letters.

[11]  J. Fujimoto,et al.  Optical Coherence Tomography , 1991 .

[12]  B. Golubovic,et al.  Single mode fiber-optic catheter/endoscope for optical coherence tomography , 1996, Summaries of papers presented at the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics.