In vivo ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography

TLDR

Ultrahigh‑resolution optical coherence tomography using broadband femtosecond laser technology is demonstrated for in vivo subcellular imaging. Imaging is performed with a Kerr‑lens mode‑locked Ti:sapphire laser emitting sub‑two‑cycle pulses up to 350 nm bandwidth at 800 nm, and depth‑of‑field limitations are overcome by zone focusing and image fusion to maintain high transverse resolution throughout the depth. Longitudinal resolution of ~1 µm and transverse resolution of 3 µm with a 110‑dB dynamic range are achieved, representing the highest longitudinal resolution demonstrated to date for in vivo OCT imaging.

Abstract

Ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) by use of state of the art broad-bandwidth femtosecond laser technology is demonstrated and applied to in vivo subcellular imaging. Imaging is performed with a Kerr-lens mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser with double-chirped mirrors that emits sub-two-cycle pulses with bandwidths of up to 350 nm, centered at 800 nm. Longitudinal resolutions of ~1mum and transverse resolution of 3mum, with a 110-dB dynamic range, are achieved in biological tissue. To overcome depth-of-field limitations we perform zone focusing and image fusion to construct a tomogram with high transverse resolution throughout the image depth. To our knowledge this is the highest longitudinal resolution demonstrated to date for in vivo OCT imaging.