Multi-MHz MEMS-VCSEL swept-source optical coherence tomography for endoscopic structural and angiographic imaging with miniaturized brushless motor probes

Abstract

Swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) enables volumetric imaging of subsurface structure. However, applications requiring wide fields of view (FOV), rapid imaging, and higher resolutions have been challenging because multi-MHz axial scan (A-scan) rates are needed. We describe a microelectromechanical systems vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (MEMS-VCSEL) SS-OCT technology for A-scan rates of 2.4 and 3.0 MHz. Sweep to sweep calibration and resampling are performed using dual channel acquisition of the OCT signal and a Mach Zehnder interferometer signal, overcoming inherent optical clock limitations and enabling higher performance. We demonstrate ultrahigh speed structural SS-OCT and OCT angiography (OCTA) imaging of the swine gastrointestinal tract using a suite of miniaturized brushless motor probes, including a 3.2 mm diameter micromotor OCT catheter, a 12 mm diameter tethered OCT capsule, and a 12 mm diameter widefield OCTA probe. MEMS-VCSELs promise to enable ultrahigh speed SS-OCT with a scalable, low cost, and manufacturable technology, suitable for a diverse range of imaging applications.