Quantitative methods for obtaining tissue characteristics from optical coherence tomography images

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining properties of a tissue or tissues imaged by optical coherence tomography (OCT). In one embodiment the backscatter and attenuation of the OCT optical beam is measured and based on these measurements and indicium such as color is assigned for each portion of the image corresponding to the specific value of the backscatter and attenuation for that portion. The image is then displayed with the indicia and a user can then determine the tissue characteristics. In an alternative embodiment the tissue characteristics is classified automatically by a program given the combination of backscatter and attenuation values.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 058,077 filed on Jun. 2, 2008, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]This invention provides methods for tissue characterization using optical coherence tomography. Specifically, in part, such characterization can be performed by measuring a tissue's optical and image properties.BACKGROUND[0003]Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an interferometric imaging technique with widespread applications in ophthalmology, cardiology, gastroenterology and other fields of medicine. The ability to view subsurface structures with high resolution (2-15 μm) through small-diameter fiber-optic probes makes OCT especially useful for minimally invasive imaging of internal tissues and organs. OCT systems can generate images up to 100 frames per second, making it possible to image coronary arteries in the beating heart artery within a few seconds. O...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]In another aspect the invention relates to an optical coherence tomography system for identifying tissue characteristics of a sample. In one embodiment the computer system includes a detector configured to receive an optical interference signal generated from scanning a sample and converting the optical interference signal to an electrical signal; an electronic memory device and an electronic processor in communication with the memory device and the detector. The memory device can include instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: analyze the electrical signal and generate a plurality of datasets corresponding to the sample, wherein one of the plurality of datasets comprises backscattering data; compare the backscattering data to a first threshold, the backscattering data mapping to a first location in the sample; and if the backscattering data exceeds the first threshold, characterize the first location in the sample as having a first tissue characteristic. In some embodiments, the processor is further caused to generate an OCT image of the sample such that the first tissue characteristic is identified and displayed relative to the first location. The first tissue characteristic can be selected from the group consisting of cholesterol, fiber, fibrous, lipid pool, lipid, fibrofatty, calcium nodule, calcium plate, calcium speckled, thrombus, foam cells, and proteoglycan. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of datasets includes OCT scan data, attenuation data, edge sharpness data, texture parameters, or interferometric data.

Problems solved by technology

Since tissue type is identified by its appearance on the screen, errors may occur in the analysis because certain information (such as tissue type) cannot be readily discerned.

Small changes in the optical properties that influence the OCT signals cannot be readily discerned.

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