Optical coherence tomography

Brett E. Bouma; Johannes F. de Boer; David Huang; Ik Kyung Jang; Taishi Yonetsu; Cadman L. Leggett; Rainer Leitgeb; David D. Sampson; Melissa Suter; Ben J. Vakoc; Martin Villiger; Maciej Wojtkowski

doi:10.1038/s43586-022-00162-2

Optical coherence tomography

Brett E. Bouma^*, Johannes F. de Boer, David Huang, Ik Kyung Jang, Taishi Yonetsu, Cadman L. Leggett, Rainer Leitgeb, David D. Sampson, Melissa Suter, Ben J. Vakoc, Martin Villiger, Maciej Wojtkowski

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-contact method for imaging the topological and internal microstructure of samples in three dimensions. OCT can be configured as a conventional microscope, an ophthalmic scanner or endoscopes and small-diameter catheters for accessing internal biological organs. In this Primer, the principles underpinning the different instrument configurations that are tailored to distinct imaging applications are described and the origin of signal, based on light scattering and propagation, is explained. Although OCT has been used for imaging inanimate objects, the discussion focuses on biological and medical imaging. The signal processing methods and algorithms that make OCT exquisitely sensitive to reflections, as weak as just a few photons, and reveal functional information in addition to structure are examined. Image processing, display and interpretation, which are all critical for effective biomedical imaging, are discussed in the context of specific applications. Finally, image artefacts and limitations that commonly arise and future advances and opportunities are considered.

Original language	English
Article number	79
Journal	Nature Reviews Methods Primers
Volume	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s43586-022-00162-2
Publication status	Published - 13 Oct 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
B.E.B., J.F.d.B., B.J.V. and M.V. are inventors on patents owned by Mass General Brigham in the field of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and acknowledge patent royalties, administered through Mass General Brigham, from organizations that may gain or lose financially through this publication. I.-K.J. has received educational grants from Abbott Vascular and consulting fees from Svelte Medical Systems, Inc. and Mitobridge, Inc. D.H. and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have significant financial interests in an organization that may gain or lose financially through this publication. D.H. acknowledges research support and patent royalty from an organization that may gain or lose financially through this publication. D.D.S. is an inventor on patents owned by the University of Western Australia in the field of OCT and licensed to organizations that may gain or lose financially through this publication. T.Y., C.L.L., R.L., M.S. and M.W. declare no competing interests.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, Springer Nature Limited.

Access to Document

10.1038/s43586-022-00162-2

Persistent URL (handle)

Persistent link

Cite this

@article{77132f45ce984127aa50b0d65ea3f764,

title = "Optical coherence tomography",

abstract = "Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-contact method for imaging the topological and internal microstructure of samples in three dimensions. OCT can be configured as a conventional microscope, an ophthalmic scanner or endoscopes and small-diameter catheters for accessing internal biological organs. In this Primer, the principles underpinning the different instrument configurations that are tailored to distinct imaging applications are described and the origin of signal, based on light scattering and propagation, is explained. Although OCT has been used for imaging inanimate objects, the discussion focuses on biological and medical imaging. The signal processing methods and algorithms that make OCT exquisitely sensitive to reflections, as weak as just a few photons, and reveal functional information in addition to structure are examined. Image processing, display and interpretation, which are all critical for effective biomedical imaging, are discussed in the context of specific applications. Finally, image artefacts and limitations that commonly arise and future advances and opportunities are considered.",

author = "Bouma, {Brett E.} and {de Boer}, {Johannes F.} and David Huang and Jang, {Ik Kyung} and Taishi Yonetsu and Leggett, {Cadman L.} and Rainer Leitgeb and Sampson, {David D.} and Melissa Suter and Vakoc, {Ben J.} and Martin Villiger and Maciej Wojtkowski",

note = "Funding Information: B.E.B., J.F.d.B., B.J.V. and M.V. are inventors on patents owned by Mass General Brigham in the field of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and acknowledge patent royalties, administered through Mass General Brigham, from organizations that may gain or lose financially through this publication. I.-K.J. has received educational grants from Abbott Vascular and consulting fees from Svelte Medical Systems, Inc. and Mitobridge, Inc. D.H. and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have significant financial interests in an organization that may gain or lose financially through this publication. D.H. acknowledges research support and patent royalty from an organization that may gain or lose financially through this publication. D.D.S. is an inventor on patents owned by the University of Western Australia in the field of OCT and licensed to organizations that may gain or lose financially through this publication. T.Y., C.L.L., R.L., M.S. and M.W. declare no competing interests. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022, Springer Nature Limited.",

year = "2022",

month = oct,

day = "13",

doi = "10.1038/s43586-022-00162-2",

language = "English",

volume = "2",

journal = "Nature Reviews Methods Primers",

issn = "2662-8449",

publisher = "Springer Nature",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Optical coherence tomography

AU - Bouma, Brett E.

AU - de Boer, Johannes F.

AU - Huang, David

AU - Jang, Ik Kyung

AU - Yonetsu, Taishi

AU - Leggett, Cadman L.

AU - Leitgeb, Rainer

AU - Sampson, David D.

AU - Suter, Melissa

AU - Vakoc, Ben J.

AU - Villiger, Martin

AU - Wojtkowski, Maciej

N1 - Funding Information: B.E.B., J.F.d.B., B.J.V. and M.V. are inventors on patents owned by Mass General Brigham in the field of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and acknowledge patent royalties, administered through Mass General Brigham, from organizations that may gain or lose financially through this publication. I.-K.J. has received educational grants from Abbott Vascular and consulting fees from Svelte Medical Systems, Inc. and Mitobridge, Inc. D.H. and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have significant financial interests in an organization that may gain or lose financially through this publication. D.H. acknowledges research support and patent royalty from an organization that may gain or lose financially through this publication. D.D.S. is an inventor on patents owned by the University of Western Australia in the field of OCT and licensed to organizations that may gain or lose financially through this publication. T.Y., C.L.L., R.L., M.S. and M.W. declare no competing interests. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, Springer Nature Limited.

PY - 2022/10/13

Y1 - 2022/10/13

N2 - Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-contact method for imaging the topological and internal microstructure of samples in three dimensions. OCT can be configured as a conventional microscope, an ophthalmic scanner or endoscopes and small-diameter catheters for accessing internal biological organs. In this Primer, the principles underpinning the different instrument configurations that are tailored to distinct imaging applications are described and the origin of signal, based on light scattering and propagation, is explained. Although OCT has been used for imaging inanimate objects, the discussion focuses on biological and medical imaging. The signal processing methods and algorithms that make OCT exquisitely sensitive to reflections, as weak as just a few photons, and reveal functional information in addition to structure are examined. Image processing, display and interpretation, which are all critical for effective biomedical imaging, are discussed in the context of specific applications. Finally, image artefacts and limitations that commonly arise and future advances and opportunities are considered.

AB - Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-contact method for imaging the topological and internal microstructure of samples in three dimensions. OCT can be configured as a conventional microscope, an ophthalmic scanner or endoscopes and small-diameter catheters for accessing internal biological organs. In this Primer, the principles underpinning the different instrument configurations that are tailored to distinct imaging applications are described and the origin of signal, based on light scattering and propagation, is explained. Although OCT has been used for imaging inanimate objects, the discussion focuses on biological and medical imaging. The signal processing methods and algorithms that make OCT exquisitely sensitive to reflections, as weak as just a few photons, and reveal functional information in addition to structure are examined. Image processing, display and interpretation, which are all critical for effective biomedical imaging, are discussed in the context of specific applications. Finally, image artefacts and limitations that commonly arise and future advances and opportunities are considered.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85139992292&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85139992292&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1038/s43586-022-00162-2

DO - 10.1038/s43586-022-00162-2

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85139992292

SN - 2662-8449

VL - 2

JO - Nature Reviews Methods Primers

JF - Nature Reviews Methods Primers

M1 - 79

ER -

Optical coherence tomography

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Access to Document

Persistent URL (handle)

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this