Dynamic microscopic optical coherence tomography to visualize the morphological and functional micro-anatomy of the airways

Tabea Kohlfarber, Mario Pieper, Michael Münter, Cornelia Holzhausen, Martin Ahrens, Christian Idel, Karl-Ludwig Bruchhage, Anke Leichtle, Peter König, Gereon Hüttmann, Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt

Abstract

In the imaging of airway tissue, optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides cross-sectional images of tissue structures, shows cilia movement and mucus secretion, but does not provide sufficient contrast to differentiate individual cells. By using fast sequences of microscopic resolution OCT (mOCT) images, OCT can use small signal fluctuations to overcome lack in contrast and speckle noise. In this way, OCT visualizes airway morphology on a cellular level and allows the tracking of the dynamic behavior of immune cells, as well as mucus transport and secretion. Here, we demonstrate that mOCT, by using temporal tissue fluctuation as contrast (dynamic mOCT), provides the possibility to study physiological and pathological tissue processes in vivo.
Original languageEnglish
JournalBiomed. Opt. Express
Volume13
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)3211-3223
Number of pages13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.06.2022

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Biomedical Engineering

DFG Research Classification Scheme

  • 3.23-01 Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas

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