Endo-microscopic optical coherence tomography (emOCT) with dynamic contrast

Here we present a forward-looking endoscope for dynamic microscopic OCT reaching a lateral resolution of 1.3 µm and 0.8 mm field of view. Since tissue motion degrades dynamic imaging, tissue was immobilized by suction. The endoscope was placed in a 4 mm stainless-steel sheath, which was connected to a vacuum pump. In mice, the endoscope can access various inner organs using open surgery or laparoscopy. The potential of the dynamic endo-microscopic OCT was demonstrated on relevant murine tissue such as liver, spleen and kidney. Otherwise invisible cellular and subcellular structures were imaged by dynamic mOCT with high contrast.