Quantitative spectroscopic comparison of the optical properties of mouse cochlea microstructures using optical coherence tomography at 1.06 µm and 1.3 µm wavelengths

Abstract

Currently, the cochlear implantation procedure mainly relies on using a hand lens or surgical microscope, where the success rate and surgery time strongly depend on the surgeon’s experience. Therefore, a real-time image guidance tool may facilitate the implantation procedure. In this study, we performed a systematic and quantitative analysis on the optical characterization of ex vivo mouse cochlear samples using two swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems operating at the 1.06-µm and 1.3-µm wavelengths. The analysis results demonstrated that the 1.06-µm OCT imaging system performed better than the 1.3-µm OCT imaging system in terms of the image contrast between the cochlear conduits and the neighboring cochlear bony wall structure. However, the 1.3-µm OCT imaging system allowed for greater imaging depth of the cochlear samples because of decreased tissue scattering. In addition, we have investigated the feasibility of identifying the electrode of the cochlear implant within the ex vivo cochlear sample with the 1.06-µm OCT imaging. The study results demonstrated the potential of developing an image guidance tool for the cochlea implantation procedure as well as other otorhinolaryngology applications.

Optical Coherence Tomography for Three-Dimensional Imaging in the Biomedical Field: A Review

“…In addition, the ability of image processing technology to improve OCT image quality should not be underestimated, which has been a central focus of the current research. On the one hand, the OCT system will inevitably introduce much noise during the imaging process, reducing the image contrast and failing to obtain the resolution in theory [37,100]. With the development and improvement of digital image processing technology, algorithms such as Gaussian filtering, morphological expansion, and corrosion can preserve image features while simultaneously removing shot noise as much as possible to make the image more explicit.…”

“…The sensitivity of the imaging system is also a crucial parameter in biomedical imaging [37]. Since the interferometry that OCT applies measures the distribution of the interference field rather than the intensity of light, the OCT system possesses high sensitivity compared with other optical imaging systems.…”

Quantitative Evaluation of Caries and Calculus with Ultrahigh-Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography

“…Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an optical imaging technology based on a low-coherence interference that acquires volumetric images in label-free, noncontact, and nonradiative situations. Since it was first developed in 1991, after 30 years of efforts by research and development groups, OCT has been widely used in different medical research and clinical trials [16][17][18][19]. In addition, advanced functional systems and combinations with other techniques, such as polarization-sensitive OCT (PS-OCT) [20][21][22][23] and fluorescence-guided OCT [24], enable OCT to integrate structural information with other specific optical features, expanding its application in the biomedical field.…”