Significance: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images are prone to image artifacts due to the birefringence of the sample or the optical system when a polarized light source is used for imaging. These artifacts can lead to degraded image quality and diagnostic information.

Aim: We aim to mitigate these birefringence-related artifacts in OCT images by adding a depolarizer module in the reference arm of the interferometer.

Approach: We investigated different configurations of liquid crystal patterned retarders as pseudo-depolarizers in the reference arm of OCT setups. We identified the most effective depolarization module layout for polarization artifact suppression for a spectral-domain OCT system based on a Michelson and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

Results: The performance of our approach was demonstrated in an achromatic quarter-wave plate allowing the selection of a variety of sample polarization states. A substantial improvement of the OCT signal magnitude was observed after placing the optimal depolarizer configuration, reducing the cross-polarization artifact from 5.7 to 1.8 dB and from 8.0 to 1.0 dB below the co-polarized signal for the fiber-based Michelson and Mach-Zehnder setup, respectively. An imaging experiment in the birefringent scleral tissue of a post-mortem alpine marmot eye and a mouse tail specimen further showcased a significant improvement in the detected signal intensity and an enhanced OCT image quality followed by a drastic elimination of the birefringence-related artifacts.

Conclusions: Our study presents a simple yet cost-effective technique to mitigate birefringence-related artifacts in OCT imaging. This method can be readily implemented in existing OCT technology and improve the effectiveness of various OCT imaging applications in biomedicine.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11532802PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.29.11.116001DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

oct
9
optical coherence
8
coherence tomography
8
image artifacts
8
oct images
8
image quality
8
mitigate birefringence-related
8
birefringence-related artifacts
8
artifacts oct
8
reference arm
8

Similar Publications

This retrospective, real-life cohort was analyzed to detect the frequency of different HRM evolution patterns and their correlation with MNV types, morphological and functional changes in exudative nAMD under long-term anti-VEGF therapy. We evaluated optical coherence tomography (OCT) volume scans in 143 eyes of 94 nAMD patients (start of anti-VEGF therapy 2009-2018, therapy until the last visit) and recorded the VA at all visits. HRM evolution patterns were differentiated: pattern 1 = no HRM, pattern 2 = subretinal HRM resolved during follow-up, pattern 3 = persistent subretinal HRM with new HRM-boundary remodeling [BR], pattern 4 = persistent subretinal HRM without HRM-BR.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Near-infrared imaging retinal diagnostic applications-a review.

Int Ophthalmol

December 2024

Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, 32 Gisborne St, East Melbourne, Australia.

Objective: Near-infrared reflectance (NIR) is a commonly performed noncontact and rapid imaging technique. This paper reviews the clinical applications of NIR for diagnosing and monitoring retinal diseases.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across the Pubmed database.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: This study investigates the incidence and causes of diagnostic changes from primary open angle glaucoma suspect (POAGS) to primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), and vice versa, in clinical practice.

Design: This is a retrospective, single site, case-control study.

Participants: It includes patients over age 40 diagnosed with either POAG or POAGS between 2013-2020.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Testosterone promotes photoreceptor degeneration in the sodium iodate model.

Exp Eye Res

December 2024

FM Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address:

Previously, we found that retinas of young male mice were more damaged than those of young female mice in the sodium iodate (NaIO) model. The purpose of this study was to test whether reducing testosterone levels would be retina-protective. Male C57Bl/6J mice underwent surgical castration or sham surgery, then were given an intraperitoneal injection of NaIO at 25 mg/kg.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A novel approach for unveiling co-occurrence patterns of UV filter mixtures in sunscreens: Prioritization for hazard and risk assessment.

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf

December 2024

Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea; Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address:

In recent years, concerns regarding the toxicity of organic UV filters in sunscreen products have increased. While sunscreen products contain multiple UV filters in combination, current understanding on their co-occurrence patterns and mixture toxicities is still limited. This study utilized a public database, "Hwahae", and analyzed 2183 sunscreen products marketed in South Korea as of 2019, using an association rule mining (ARM) to elucidate their co-occurrence patterns.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!