Swept-source based, single-shot, multi-detectable velocity range Doppler optical coherence tomography

Adverse effects of glyphosate-based herbicide on hatching rate, morphological alterations, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) expression in golden apple snail eggs

This research investigated the effects of glyphosate herbicide on golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) eggs, focusing on hatching rates, morphological changes, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) expression to explore its potential as a biomarker of exposure. Additionally, key bioactive components in golden apple snail eggs were characterized. The study demonstrated that glyphosate toxicity increased with both exposure time and concentration. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis revealed adverse morphological effects on eggs and embryos, including changes in shell structure and organ development. SDS-PAGE analysis identified four main protein bands, including Perivitellin 2 in three isoforms (98, 67, and 31 kDa) and Ovorubin (28 kDa). Lipids, phosphorus, and carbohydrates were identified as key components through Sudan Black B, Methyl Green, and Alcian Blue staining. AChE, with a molecular weight of 71 kDa, was further analyzed by Western blot, showing decreased expression with prolonged and higher concentrations of glyphosate exposure. GC-MS analysis identified major bioactive compounds in untreated eggs, including 3-Fluoro-β, 5-dihydroxy-N-methylbenzeneethanamine, 2-Aziridinylethylamine, and dextroamphetamine, which have pharmaceutical properties such as anti-hypertensive, diuretic, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as potential applications in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. These compounds were present at lower levels in glyphosate-exposed groups, suggesting glyphosate's impact on the eggs' biochemical defense mechanisms. This study highlights the potential effects of glyphosate on golden apple snail eggs, which may have implications for future snail populations and aquatic ecosystems.

Adaptable switching schemes for time-encoded multichannel optical coherence tomography

We introduce the approach of variable time encoding for multichannel optical coherence tomography (OCT). High-speed fiber optical switches are applied for sequential sample arm switching to enable quasisimultaneous image acquisition from three different orientation angles. In comparison with previous multichannel OCT (using simultaneous sample illumination), time-encoded multichannel OCT has no need for division of illumination power among the respective channels to satisfy laser safety requirements. Especially for ophthalmic applications-in particular retinal imaging, which the presented prototype was developed for-this advantage strongly influences image quality through an enhanced sensitivity. Nevertheless, time encoding comes at the cost of a decrease in imaging speed due to sequential channel illumination. For the typical multichannel OCT modality Doppler OCT, this results in a reduction of the maximum unambiguously determinable Doppler velocity. However, we demonstrate that this drawback can be overcome by adaptation of the illumination channel switching scheme. Thus, a re-extension of the maximum unambiguously determinable Doppler frequency to the full A-scan rate of the tunable light source is presented. The performance of the technique is demonstrated by flow phantom experiments and measurements of retinal blood flow in the eyes of healthy human volunteers.

Capillary red blood cell velocimetry by phase-resolved optical coherence tomography

We present a phase-resolved optical coherence tomography (OCT) method to extend Doppler OCT for the accurate measurement of the red blood cell (RBC) velocity in cerebral capillaries. OCT data were acquired with an M-mode scanning strategy (repeated A-scans) to account for the single-file passage of RBCs in a capillary, which were then high-pass filtered to remove the stationary component of the signal to ensure an accurate measurement of phase shift of flowing RBCs. The angular frequency of the signal from flowing RBCs was then quantified from the dynamic component of the signal and used to calculate the axial speed of flowing RBCs in capillaries. We validated our measurement by RBC passage velocimetry using the signal magnitude of the same OCT time series data.

Angular scan optical coherence tomography imaging and metrology of spherical gradient refractive index preforms

The fabrication of high-performance spherical gradient refractive index (S-GRIN) optics requires nondestructive metrology techniques to inspect the samples. We have developed an angular-scan, swept-source-based, Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) system centered at 1318 nm with 5 mm imaging depth capable of 180° polar scan and 360° azimuthal scan to investigate polymeric S-GRIN preforms. We demonstrate a method that enables simultaneous mapping of the group optical thickness, physical thickness, the radially-averaged group refractive index, and the transmitted wavefront of the S-GRIN preforms. The angular scan OCT imaging and metrology enables direct visualization, molding uniformity characterization, and optical property evaluations of the preforms. The results on two generations of S-GRIN preforms are discussed that showcase the evolution of the manufacturing process in response to the OCT metrology feedback.

Capillary blood flow imaging within human finger cuticle using optical microangiography

We report non-invasive 3D imaging of capillary blood flow within human finger cuticle by the use of Doppler optical microangiography (DOMAG) and ultra-high sensitive optical microangiography (UHS-OMAG) techniques. Wide velocity range DOMAG method is applied to provide red blood cell (RBC) axial velocity mapping in capillary loops with ranges of ±0.9 mm/s and ±0.3 mm/s. Additionally, UHS-OMAG technique is engineered to acquire high resolution image of capillary morphology. The presented results are promising to facilitate clinical trials of treatment and diagnosis of various diseases such as diabetes, Raynaud's phenomenon, and connective tissue diseases by quantifying cutaneous blood flow changes within human finger cuticle.

Doppler optical coherence tomography

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has revolutionized ophthalmology. Since its introduction in the early 1990s it has continuously improved in terms of speed, resolution and sensitivity. The technique has also seen a variety of extensions aiming to assess functional aspects of the tissue in addition to morphology. One of these approaches is Doppler OCT (DOCT), which aims to visualize and quantify blood flow. Such extensions were already implemented in time domain systems, but have gained importance with the introduction of Fourier domain OCT. Nowadays phase-sensitive detection techniques are most widely used to extract blood velocity and blood flow from tissues. A common problem with the technique is that the Doppler angle is not known and several approaches have been realized to obtain absolute velocity and flow data from the retina. Additional studies are required to elucidate which of these techniques is most promising. In the recent years, however, several groups have shown that data can be obtained with high validity and reproducibility. In addition, several groups have published values for total retinal blood flow. Another promising application relates to non-invasive angiography. As compared to standard techniques such as fluorescein and indocyanine-green angiography the technique offers two major advantages: no dye is required and depth resolution is required is provided. As such Doppler OCT has the potential to improve our abilities to diagnose and monitor ocular vascular diseases.

Wide velocity range Doppler optical microangiography using optimized step-scanning protocol with phase variance mask

We propose a simple and optimized method for acquiring a wide velocity range of blood flow using Doppler optical microangiography. After characterizing the behavior of the scanner in the fast scan axis, a step-scanning protocol is developed by utilizing repeated A-scans at each step. Multiple velocity range images are obtained by the high-pass filtering and Doppler processing of complex signals between A-scans within each step with different time intervals. A phase variance mask is then employed to segment meaningful Doppler flow signals from noisy phase background. The technique is demonstrated by imaging in vivo mouse brain with skull left intact to provide bidirectional images of cerebral blood flow with high quality and wide velocity range.

Dove prism based rotating dual beam bidirectional Doppler OCT

Traditional Doppler OCT is highly sensitive to motion artifacts due to the dependence on the Doppler angle. This limits its accuracy in clinical practice. To overcome this limitation, we use a bidirectional dual beam technique equipped with a novel rotating scanning scheme employing a Dove prism. The volume is probed from two distinct illumination directions with variable controlled incidence plane, allowing for reconstruction of the true flow velocity at arbitrary vessel orientations. The principle is implemented with Swept Source OCT at 1060nm with 100,000 A-Scans/s. We apply the system to resolve pulsatile retinal absolute blood velocity by performing segment scans around the optic nerve head and circumpapillary scan time series.

Variable velocity range imaging of the choroid with dual-beam optical coherence angiography

In this study, we present dual-beam Doppler optical coherence angiography with variable beam separation. Altering beam distance, independently of the scanning protocol, provides a flexible way to select the velocity range of detectable blood flow. This system utilized a one-micrometer wavelength light source to visualize deep into the posterior eye, i.e., the choroid. Two-dimensional choroidal vasculature maps of a human subject acquired with different beam separations, and hence with several velocity ranges, are presented. Combining these maps yields a semi-quantitative visualization of axial velocity of the choroidal circulation. The proposed technique may be useful for identifying choroidal abnormalities that occur in pathological conditions of the eye.

Experimental investigations of the scanning functions of galvanometer-based scanners with applications in OCT

We analyze the three most common profiles of scanning functions for galvanometer-based scanners (GSs): the sawtooth, triangular and sinusoidal functions. They are determined experimentally with regard to the scan parameters of the input signal (i.e., frequency and amplitude). We study the differences of the output function of the GS measured as the positional error of the oscillatory mirror from the ideal function given by the input signal of the device. The limits in achieving the different types of scanning functions in terms of duty cycle and linearity are determined experimentally for the possible range of scan parameters. Of particular importance are the preservation of an imposed duty cycle and profile for the sawtooth function, the quantification of the linearity for the sinusoidal function, and the effective duty cycle for the triangular, as well as for the other functions. The range of scan amplitudes for which the stability of the oscillatory regime of the galvo mirror is stable for different frequencies is also highlighted. While the use of the device in certain scanning regimes is studied, certain rules of thumb are deduced to make the best out of the galvoscanner. Finally, the three types of scanning functions are tested with a Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FD OCT) setup and the conclusions of the study are demonstrated in an imaging application by correlating the determined limits of the scanning regimes with the requirements of OCT.

Enhanced imaging of choroidal vasculature by high-penetration and dual-velocity optical coherence angiography

Dual-beam-scan Doppler optical coherence angiography (DB-OCA) with a 1-μm-wavelength probe is demonstrated for improved in vivo choroidal angiograms of the human eye. This method utilizes two scanning beams with spatial and temporal separation on the retina, and provides two measurable velocity ranges. The method achieves higher sensitivity to very low velocity flows than conventional Doppler optical coherence tomography. Moreover, longer wavelengths allowing greater penetration, enhanced visualization of choroidal vessels is verified with en-face projection images of the Doppler shift squared. Specifically, better choroidal vasculature visibility is achieved at a wavelength of 1 μm than at 840 nm.