Modeling of full-field optical coherence tomography in scattering media

Theoretical model for en face optical coherence tomography imaging and its application to volumetric differential contrast imaging

A new formulation of the lateral imaging process of point-scanning optical coherence tomography (OCT) and a new differential contrast method designed by using this formulation are presented. The formulation is based on a mathematical sample model called the dispersed scatterer model (DSM), in which the sample is represented as a material with a spatially slowly varying refractive index and randomly distributed scatterers embedded in the material. It is shown that the formulation represents a meaningful OCT image and speckle as two independent mathematical quantities. The new differential contrast method is based on complex signal processing of OCT images, and the physical and numerical imaging processes of this method are jointly formulated using the same theoretical strategy as in the case of OCT. The formula shows that the method provides a spatially differential image of the sample structure. This differential imaging method is validated by measuring in vivo and in vitro samples.

Manifestation of aberrations in full-field optical coherence tomography

We report on a theoretical model for image formation in full-field optical coherence tomography (FFOCT). Because the spatial incoherence of the illumination acts as a virtual confocal pinhole in FFOCT, its imaging performance is equivalent to a scanning time-gated coherent confocal microscope. In agreement with optical experiments enabling a precise control of aberrations, FFOCT is shown to have nearly twice the resolution of standard imaging at moderate aberration level. Beyond a rigorous study on the sensitivity of FFOCT with respect to aberrations, this theoretical model paves the way towards an optimized design of adaptive optics and computational tools for high-resolution and deep imaging of biological tissues.

Analysis of the impact of optical aberrations in en-face full-field OCT microscopy

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a powerful technique for cross-sectioning imaging. However, the lateral resolution may be degraded by optical aberrations originating from the sample or the setup. We present an extensive quantitative study of the impact of aberrations in time-domain en-face full-field OCT (FFOCT). Using an adaptive optics loop integrated in an FFOCT setup, a deformable mirror is used to introduce low-order calibrated aberrations. The experimental analysis of both the line spread functions (SF) and the complex object images has allowed us to measure the loss in contrast and the impact on lateral spatial resolution. We demonstrate that the frequency content of FFOCT image spectra in terms of signal-to-noise ratio and cutoff frequency is degraded by aberrations but remains much higher than in conventional incoherent images. Line SF profiles in conventional imaging display widening, whereas in FFOCT they display oscillations, leading to the possible perception of preserved resolution. Nevertheless, for complex objects, the aberration image blurring is strong due to the convolution process by the point SF, resulting in a significant filtering of the image spatial spectrum.

Adaptive-glasses time-domain FFOCT for wide-field high-resolution retinal imaging with increased SNR

The highest three-dimensional (3D) resolution possible in in vivo retinal imaging is achieved by combining optical coherence tomography (OCT) and adaptive optics. However, this combination brings important limitations, such as small field-of-view and complex, cumbersome systems, preventing so far the translation of this technology from the research lab to clinics. In this Letter, we mitigate these limitations by combining our compact time-domain full-field OCT (FFOCT) with a multi-actuator adaptive lens positioned just in front of the eye, in a technique we call the adaptive-glasses wavefront sensorless approach. Through this approach, we demonstrate that ocular aberrations can be corrected, increasing the FFOCT signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and enabling imaging of different retinal layers with a 3D cellular resolution over a 5^∘×5^∘ field-of-view, without apparent anisoplanatism.