Dual-mode line-field confocal optical coherence tomography for ultrahigh-resolution vertical and horizontal section imaging of human skin in vivo

Abstract

Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) is a recently introduced technique for ultrahigh-resolution vertical section (B-scan) imaging of human skin <i>in vivo</i>. This work presents a new implementation of the LC-OCT technique to obtain horizontal section images (C-scans) in addition to B-scans. C-scan imaging is achieved with this dual-mode LC-OCT system using a mirror galvanometer for lateral scanning along with a piezoelectric chip for modulation of the interferometric signal. A quasi-identical spatial resolution of ∼ 1 µm is measured for both B-scans and C-scans. The images are acquired in both modes at a rate of 10 frames per second. The horizontal field of view of the C-scans is 1.2 × 0.5 mm², identical to the vertical field of view of the B-scans. The user can switch between the two modes by clicking a button. <i>In vivo</i> cellular-resolution imaging of human skin is demonstrated in both B-scan and C-scan modes, with the possibility to navigate within the skin tissues in real time.