Rotational imaging optical coherence tomography for full-body mouse embryonic imaging.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been widely used to study mammalian embryonic development with the advantages of high spatial and temporal resolutions and without the need for any contrast enhancement probes. However, the limited imaging depth of traditional OCT might prohibit visualization of the full embryonic body. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a new methodology to enhance the imaging range of OCT in embryonic day (E) 9.

Quantitative methods for reconstructing tissue biomechanical properties in optical coherence elastography: a comparison study.

We present a systematic analysis of the accuracy of five different methods for extracting the biomechanical properties of soft samples using optical coherence elastography (OCE). OCE is an emerging noninvasive technique, which allows assessment of biomechanical properties of tissues with micrometer spatial resolution. However, in order to accurately extract biomechanical properties from OCE measurements, application of a proper mechanical model is required.

Algorithms for improved 3-D reconstruction of live mammalian embryo vasculature from optical coherence tomography data.

Background: Robust reconstructions of the three-dimensional network of blood vessels in developing embryos imaged by optical coherence tomography (OCT) are needed for quantifying the longitudinal development of vascular networks in live mammalian embryos, in support of developmental cardiovascular research. Past computational methods [such as speckle variance (SV)] have demonstrated the feasibility of vascular reconstruction, but multiple challenges remain including: the presence of vessel structures at multiple spatial scales, thin blood vessels with weak flow, and artifacts resulting from bulk tissue motion (BTM).

Methods: In order to overcome these challenges, this paper introduces a robust and scalable reconstruction algorithm based on a combination of anomaly detection algorithms and a parametric dictionary based sparse representation of blood vessels from structural OCT data.

Detection and Monitoring of Microparticles Under Skin by Optical Coherence Tomography as an Approach to Continuous Glucose Sensing Using Implanted Retroreflectors.

We demonstrate the feasibility of using optical coherence tomography (OCT) to image and detect 2.8 m diameter microparticles (stationary and moving) on a highly-reflective gold surface both in clear media and under skin . The OCT intensity signal can clearly report the microparticle count, and the OCT response to the number of microparticles shows a good linearity.

Comparative assessments of the effects of alcohol exposure on fetal brain development using optical coherence tomography and ultrasound imaging.

The developing fetal brain is vulnerable to a variety of environmental agents including maternal ethanol consumption. Preclinical studies on the development and amelioration of fetal teratology would be significantly facilitated by the application of high resolution imaging technologies like optical coherence tomography (OCT) and high-frequency ultrasound (US). This study investigates the ability of these imaging technologies to measure the effects of maternal ethanol exposure on brain development, ex vivo, in fetal mice.

Optical coherence tomography for live phenotypic analysis of embryonic ocular structures in mouse models.

Mouse models of ocular diseases provide a powerful resource for exploration of molecular regulation of eye development and pre-clinical studies. Availability of a live high-resolution imaging method for mouse embryonic eyes would significantly enhance longitudinal analyses and high-throughput morphological screening. We demonstrate that optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be used for live embryonic ocular imaging throughout gestation.

ASSESSMENT OF TISSUE OPTICAL CLEARING AS A FUNCTION OF GLUCOSE CONCENTRATION USING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY.

One of the major challenges in imaging biological tissues using optical techniques, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), is the lack of light penetration due to highly turbid structures within the tissue. Optical clearing techniques enable the biological samples to be more optically homogeneous, allowing for deeper penetration of light into the tissue. This study investigates the effect of optical clearing utilizing various concentrations of glucose solution (10%, 30%, and 50%) on porcine skin.

Monitoring of glucose permeability in monkey skin in vivo using Optical Coherence Tomography.

Topical trans-dermal delivery of drugs has proven to be a promising route for treatment of many dermatological diseases. The aim of this study is to monitor and quantify the permeability rate of glucose solutions in rhesus monkey skin noninvasively in vivo as a primate model for drug diffusion. A time-domain Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) system was used to image the diffusion of glucose in the skin of anesthetized monkeys for which the permeability rate was calculated.

Live imaging of blood flow in mammalian embryos using Doppler swept-source optical coherence tomography.

Studying hemodynamic changes during early mammalian embryonic development is critical for further advances in prevention, diagnostics, and treatment of congenital cardiovascular (CV) birth defects and diseases. Doppler optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been shown to provide sensitive measurements of blood flow in avian and amphibian embryos. We combined Doppler swept-source optical coherence tomography (DSS-OCT) and live mouse embryo culture to analyze blood flow dynamics in early embryos.