Real-time in vivo color Doppler optical coherence tomography

J Biomed Opt. 2002 Jan;7(1):123-9. doi: 10.1117/1.1428291.

Abstract

Color Doppler optical coherence tomography (CDOCT) is a functional extension of optical coherence tomography (OCT) that can image flow in turbid media. We have developed a CDOCT system capable of imaging flow in real time. Doppler processing of the analog signal is accomplished in hardware in the time domain using a novel autocorrelation technique. This Doppler processing method is compatible with a high speed OCT system capable of imaging in real time. Using this system, we demonstrate cross-sectional imaging of bidirectional flow with CDOCT at four frames per second in a tissue-simulating phantom consisting of intralipid solution flowing in glass capillaries. As a demonstration of real-time imaging of blood flow in vivo we imaged pulsatible blood flow in a rat femoral artery at eight frames per second. Issues of velocity sensitivity, imaging speed, and range of velocity measurement are discussed, as well as potential applications of real-time CDOCT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Computer Systems*
  • Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / metabolism
  • Femoral Artery / physiology
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Optics and Photonics*
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Rats
  • Rheology / methods*
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color*

Substances

  • Fat Emulsions, Intravenous