KEYWORDS: Eye, Hemodynamics, Retina, Imaging systems, In vivo imaging, Cameras, Optical coherence tomography, Signal to noise ratio, Neurophotonics, Tunable filters
SignificanceMicrocirculation and neurovascular coupling are important parameters to study in neurological and neuro-ophthalmic conditions. As the retina shares many similarities with the cerebral cortex and is optically accessible, a special focus is directed to assessing the chorioretinal structure, microvasculature, and hemodynamics of mice, a vital animal model for vision and neuroscience research.AimWe aim to introduce an optical imaging tool enabling in vivo volumetric mouse retinal monitoring of vascular hemodynamics with high temporal resolution.ApproachWe translated the spatio-temporal optical coherence tomography (STOC-T) technique into the field of small animal imaging by designing a new optical system that could compensate for the mouse eye refractive error. We also developed post-processing algorithms, notably for the assessment of (i) localized hemodynamics from the analysis of pulse wave–induced Doppler artifact modulation and (ii) retinal tissue displacement from phase-sensitive measurements.ResultsWe acquired high-quality, in vivo volumetric mouse retina images at a rate of 113 Hz over a lateral field of view of ∼500 μm. We presented high-resolution en face images of the retinal and choroidal structure and microvasculature from various layers, after digital aberration correction. We were able to measure the pulse wave velocity in capillaries of the outer plexiform layer with a mean speed of 0.35 mm/s and identified venous and arterial pulsation frequency and phase delay. We quantified the modulation amplitudes of tissue displacement near major vessels (with peaks of 150 nm), potentially carrying information about the biomechanical properties of the retinal layers involved. Last, we identified the delays between retinal displacements due to the passing of venous and arterial pulse waves.ConclusionsThe developed STOC-T system provides insights into the hemodynamics of the mouse retina and choroid that could be beneficial in the study of neurovascular coupling and vasculature and flow speed anomalies in neurological and neuro-ophthalmic conditions.
We present a novel ultrafast imaging system using Spatio-Temporal Optical Coherence Tomography (STOC-T), capable of acquiring structural images of a mouse retina at a volumetric rate of 112 Hz. A calibrated fundus camera and white-light illumination aid the alignment of the mouse and the adjustment of the focal plane in the mouse retina for the STOC-T image. We extract pulsatile blood flow frequency and other hemodynamic parameters from multiple retinal and choroidal vessels from structural-only OCT images, highlighting the prospects of STOC-T for monitoring retinal hemodynamics in a simple way.
We present a novel mouse eye imaging system based on the Spatio-Temporal Optical Coherence Tomography (STOC-T) technique capable of acquiring structural image of a mouse retina at a volumetric rate of 112 Hz. A fundus camera and white light illumination aid the alignment of the mouse and the adjustment of the focal plane in the mouse retina for the STOC-T image. The fundus camera is calibrated so that when the white-light image of the mouse eye fundus appears in focus after the appropriate gel thickness is selected for a given mouse and bi-concave lens, the corresponding near infrared STOC-T image of the photoreceptor layer is also in focus, albeit with minor shifts. We present images of retinal and choroidal tissue from a B6 albino wild type mouse after the focal plane adjustment with richness of details.
Optical biometers are routinely used to measure intraocular distances in ophthalmic applications such as cataract surgery planning. However, due to their high cost and reduced transportability, access to them is still limited in low-resource and remote settings, where the prevalence of cataract is higher. To increase patients’ access to optical biometry we propose a novel low-cost frequency-domain optical delay line (FDODL) based on a stepper motor spinning a tilted mirror, integrated into a time-domain (TD) optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. Optical simulations of the low-cost FDODL demonstrated its capability of axially scanning different ranges simply by selecting different tilt angles of the spinning mirror with respect to the motor shaft direction, without any changes to the motor itself. Considering off-the-shelf components up to 2-inch in aperture and a tilt of 5 mechanical degrees, the optical pathlength range could reach up to 26.63 mm. A prototype of the low-cost FDODL with a 1.5-degree tilt angle and an A-scan frequency of 10 Hz was experimentally implemented and combined with a TD-OCT system. The scanning capability of the system was characterized to be 7.31 mm, in good agreement with the results of the simulation. The TD-OCT sample arm featured a fixed delay unit with two orthogonally polarized sample beams, focusing on the anterior segment and on the retina, respectively. The intraocular distances of a model eye were measured with the proposed low-cost biometer and found in agreement with the manufacturer’s specs, validating our novel design.
We report on a novel mice imaging system based on the Spatio-Temporal Optical Coherence Tomography (STOC-T)
technique. The contribution describes the translation of the STOC-T technique, initially developed for human eye imaging, into the field of experimental small animal imaging. We present images of retinal and choroidal tissue from a B6 albino wild type mouse acquired at a volumetric rate of 112 Hz.
The ability to perform multi-meridian, simultaneous OCT measurements of air-induced corneal deformation is expected to highly improve the accuracy of assessing corneal biomechanics. We propose a simplified method targeting 3-D deformation measurement that could be introduced to swept-source OCT systems. We utilize a spatial-depth-encoded multiplexing to provide a 9-spot measurement of the deformation. The method is promising for the assessment of corneal asymmetries and diagnosis of corneal pathologies such as keratoconus. We present in detail the system and key requirements to provide simultaneous 9-spot deformation measurement. Finally, results on porcine eyes ex vivo and human eye in vivo are presented.
Image artifacts due to the bulk motion of the sample are well known and described. Some methods of correction in Full-Filed Swept-Source OCT were presented. For the measurement of dynamic sample motion, the axial motion artifacts can significantly influence measured signals. Here, we investigate the axial shift phenomena for measurements with low cost, reduced speed swept laser. Simulation results have led us to the way of correction of the axial shift artifact by manipulation of the phase of OCT fringes. Results of disturbed and undisturbed measurement of vibrating speaker membrane or induced deformations of the porcine eye are presented.
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