Newswise — A global team of scientists, partnering with the University of St Andrews, has achieved a significant technological advancement in optical coherence tomography (OCT), a crucial imaging method for various fields like ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, and early cancer detection, potentially leading to groundbreaking applications.
The recent study, featured in Science Advances (Friday 7 July), spearheaded by a team of specialists from the University of Adelaide, Australia, Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in partnership with the Aerospace Corp in the USA, and scholars from the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of St Andrews, has the potential to enhance disease diagnosis.
The progress made in light imaging thus far has been remarkable, particularly in the realm of biomedical imaging. Over the past decade, it has achieved unparalleled achievements in terms of its simplicity, user-friendliness, and ability to extract highly detailed image data, offering tremendous versatility. However, despite these advancements, there are still obstacles to overcome, specifically in retrieving information from deeper layers. This challenge arises from the scattering of light within tissues, which hampers the visibility of information at greater depths.
OCT relies on the backscattering of light within the sample, which occurs when light passes through various layers of cells, for instance. This phenomenon can be likened to the familiar occurrence in nature where light is scattered in a fog composed of water droplets with a refractive index different from that of the surrounding air, resulting in a distorted view. The scattering of light within biological tissue, caused by cells, membranes, and even smaller components, poses a similar challenge to imaging. In fact, obtaining a clear signal from depths exceeding 1 mm is exceedingly difficult due to various factors, including interference from intervening tissue.
The prevailing belief in conventional wisdom is that the OCT signal primarily consists of light that has undergone a single backscattering event, while light that has been scattered multiple times is considered detrimental to image quality. However, the research team has uncovered an alternative perspective. They have demonstrated that selectively collecting multiply scattered light can actually enhance image contrast, especially in samples with high scattering properties. What is particularly significant is that they have shown how this can be achieved with relative ease and minimal additional optics by simply altering the paths of light delivery and collection.
Gavrielle Untracht, the lead author of the paper from DTU, expressed their enthusiasm, stating, "The findings of our study have the potential to initiate a fresh perspective on OCT imaging. It is incredibly exciting to contribute to a technological breakthrough in the well-established field of OCT!"
Professor Kishan Dholakia, a member of the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of St Andrews, remarked, "Our study challenges the norms in optical imaging and, in my opinion, marks the beginning of a new approach to retrieving information from deeper layers. OCT is a well-established method for obtaining valuable insights into human health, and our approach has the potential to further enhance its capabilities."
Dr. Peter Andersen, co-corresponding author from DTU, added, "The distinctive configuration, validated by our modeling, has the potential to redefine our understanding of OCT signal formation. With this insight, we can now harness more information and enhance disease diagnosis."
The research team believes that their groundbreaking discovery has the potential to challenge existing norms and bring about a significant advancement in retrieving depth images. Their confidence is reinforced by the fact that they have secured granted and filed intellectual property in this field, indicating their commitment to translating their findings into practical applications. It is noteworthy that the current OCT market, valued at $1.3 billion in 2021, is projected to triple by the end of the decade, further emphasizing the potential impact of this breakthrough in the industry.
The remarkable progress achieved in this groundbreaking development owes much to the support and funding provided by various institutions. The research has been made possible through financial support from the UK and the European Union (H2020), as well as the Australian Research Council (ARC) in Australia. Their contributions have played a vital role in enabling this cutting-edge advancement.
Mingzhou Chen, Philip Wijesinghe at St Andrews, Peter Andersen and Dominik Marti at DTU, and Harold Yura at Aerospace Corp are co-authors of the work, which published its findings in the journal Science Advances
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