CONTROL SYSTEM FOR OCT IMAGING - OCT IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OCT IMAGING

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control system for controlling an optical coherence tomography imaging means for imaging an object, the control system being configured to perform the following steps of an imaging process: receiving (212) a scan dataset from the object acquired using optical coherence tomography, the scan dataset including one or more spectra (270); performing (214) data processing on the spectrum or each of the spectra of the scan dataset (122), the data processing comprising, for each spectrum, the following steps: determining (216) a scaling factor (274) for the spectrum (270, 370, 372, 374); scaling (218) a baseline spectrum (272) using the scaling factor (274); and removing (220) the scaled baseline spectrum (276) from the spectrum (270); and providing (224) a baseline-corrected image dataset of the object for an image of the object to be displayed. The present invention further relates to an optical coherence tomography imaging system and a corresponding method.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention essentially relates to a control system for an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging means for imaging an object, an OCT imaging system including such a control system, and a method for imaging an object using OCT. [Background technology]

[0002] Optical coherence tomography (hereafter also referred to by its typical abbreviation OCT) is an imaging technique that uses low-coherence light to capture high-resolution two- and three-dimensional images from within light-scattering media (e.g., biological tissue), and is used, among other things, for medical imaging. Optical coherence tomography is based on low-coherence interferometry, typically using near-infrared light. By using light with a relatively long wavelength, the light can penetrate into scattering media. A medical field of particular interest to OCT is ophthalmology, a branch of medicine concerned with the (especially human) eye, its disorders, and related surgeries. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] According to the invention, a control system, an OCT imaging system and a method for imaging an object are proposed with the features of the independent claims. Preferred further developments form the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description that follows.

[0004] The present invention relates to a control system for an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging means for imaging an object, in particular for real-time imaging of an object, which preferably comprises or is an eye. The type of OCT used is preferably spectral-domain OCT (also known as Fourier-domain OCT), as will be explained hereinafter.

[0005] The control system is configured to control the optical coherence tomography imaging means to scan the object using optical coherence tomography to obtain scan data or a scan data set.

[0006] In OCT, areas of the sample (object) or tissue that reflect a lot of light cause more interference than areas that do not. Any light outside the short coherence length does not interfere. This reflectance profile, called an A-scan, contains information about the spatial dimensions and location of structures within the sample or tissue. Cross-sectional tomography, called a B-scan, can be achieved by the lateral combination of a series of these axial depth scans (A-scans). These A-B scans can be used to create a two-dimensional OCT image to be viewed.

[0007] In particular, Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) uses the principle of low-coherence interferometry to generate two- or three-dimensional images of an object (sample). Light from a light source is split between a reference arm and a sample arm. The signal pattern at the detector is composed of a reference light spectrum, modulated by the interference of light between the reference and sample arms.

[0008] The control system (or the processing means provided therein) receives scan data sets from an object acquired using optical coherence tomography. The scan data sets may include intensity data for depth-resolved reflectance profiles of one or more samples, so-called A-scans. These raw data must be processed to produce an image that can be viewed, for example, on a display means by an operator of the OCT system.

[0009] Such OCT data processing typically requires resampling and Fourier transforming this real-valued spectral interferogram (the spectrum contained in the scan data set) to generate an A-scan, which is a depth-resolved reflectance profile of the sample. However, performing a Fourier transform results in high-signal, low-frequency artifacts due to the strong base component of the light source, commonly known as DC artifacts. Furthermore, the presence of constant-frequency noise can also cause similar strong signal artifacts throughout the image.

[0010] To remove such DC artifacts, data processing of the scan data (or the spectra contained therein) may include removing the baseline spectrum from each of the spectra in the scan data set. A Fourier transform may then be applied to each of the baseline-corrected spectra to provide a baseline-corrected image data set of the object for the image of the object to be displayed by the control system. The image corresponding to the image data set may then be displayed on a display means. Note that baseline correction is typically performed on a single spectrum corresponding to an A-scan, while the image to be displayed is typically a two-dimensional image, i.e., a B-scan. Therefore, multiple baseline-corrected spectra must be combined to determine all relevant data for a B-scan image.

[0011] A possible technique for removing DC artifacts is to acquire a baseline spectrum in advance and then subtract the baseline from each subsequently acquired interferogram (spectra). Alternatively, if a series of interferograms (spectra) are acquired and there is sufficient heterogeneity across the scan, either in time or space, the interferograms can be averaged together to obtain an estimate for the baseline spectrum. This estimate can be subtracted from all A-scans being acquired before applying a Fourier transform to remove DC artifacts.

[0012] However, both of these techniques result in inaccurate baseline removal because the source spectrum itself can have rapid fluctuations in intensity between acquisitions. The primary contributor to these fluctuations was found to be the power of the light source used for OCT. Relying on a single acquisition or averaging prevents the complete subtraction of the actual baseline spectrum from each individual interferogram. DC artifacts can also be removed using hardware-based methods, which require the use of phase shifters or other methods to modulate the phase across multiple acquisitions. However, this requires a more complex system design and may require multiple acquisitions at each sample location to obtain the required data.

[0013] In the present invention, a new technique is proposed to completely, or at least much better, remove DC artifacts, where the data processing performed on the scan data set comprises the following steps for each acquired spectrum: determining a scaling factor for the scan data set or spectrum and scaling the baseline spectrum using the scaling factor; and removing the scaled baseline spectrum from the spectrum.

[0014] It should be noted that, with respect to multiple spectra in a scan data set, an individual scaling factor for each of the multiple spectra is determined, the baseline spectrum is scaled accordingly with each of the scaling factors individually, and then each scaled baseline spectrum is removed from the respective spectrum. In other words, a scaling factor is determined individually for each scan data set and / or for each acquired spectrum.

[0015] Applying an A-scan-dependent scaling factor to the baseline spectrum to properly match its magnitude with that of each individual acquisition can more accurately remove DC artifacts. The baseline spectrum can be acquired before the scan acquisition, or, as is conventional, it can be derived from data acquired during the scan by averaging each individual A-scan. Once the baseline spectrum is acquired, it is multiplied by an A-scan-dependent scaling factor and then subtracted from each individual A-scan (which is the spectrum).

[0016] There are several suitable ways to obtain a baseline spectrum. For example, a baseline spectrum can be obtained before or at the end of each scan (to obtain a scan data set) by physically blocking light from the light source from entering the sample arm of the OCT instrument, and thus recording only the resulting spectrum from the reference arm. A baseline spectrum may also be obtained by averaging either all or a portion of the A-scans (spectra) from the obtained scan (i.e., from multiple spectra from a scan data set). The following equation:

number

[0017] In this formula, I DC is the baseline spectrum, N is the number of A-scans (spectra) in the scan (scan data set), I n is the nth acquired A-scan (spectrum) in the scan (scan data set).

[0018] Once the baseline spectrum is obtained, the scaling factor for correcting the spectrum can be determined in different suitable ways. For example, the scaling factor for the baseline spectrum can be determined according to the following formula:

number

[0019] In this formula, α n is an A-scan or spectrum I n is the n-th scaling factor corresponding to the n-th A-scan and the baseline spectrum I. The low-pass filter is represented by G. DC Applying this scaling factor to the baseline spectrum yields the following equation: I sn =I n -α n I DC This allows for a closer match to the individual A-scans (spectra) and allows the baseline spectrum to be more completely removed from the signal of interest, as represented by

[0020] In this formula, I sn is the nth A-scan from which the baseline spectrum has been subtracted. Another way to calculate the scaling factor can include calculating the correlation between the baseline spectrum and an individual A-scan. Another example can include determining a local average around a specified portion of the A-scan prior to the Fourier transform and taking a ratio with the corresponding portion of the baseline spectrum.

[0021] Such adaptive baseline correction or baseline removal allows for improved visualization in real time, which is particularly relevant during surgery.

[0022] The present invention also relates to an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system for imaging an object, such as an eye, in particular in real time, comprising a control system according to the present invention as described above and optical coherence tomography imaging means for performing OCT scans (see the drawings and the corresponding description for a more detailed description of such OCT imaging means). Preferably, the OCT imaging system is configured to display an image of the object on a display means. Such a display means may be part of the OCT imaging system.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a method for imaging an object, such as an eye, using optical coherence tomography (OCT), preferably spectral-domain OCT. The method comprises the following steps of an imaging process: acquiring a scan dataset from the object using optical coherence tomography, the scan dataset comprising one or (preferably) multiple spectra; performing data processing on the spectrum or each of the multiple spectra of the scan dataset, the data processing comprising, for each spectrum, the following steps: determining a scaling factor for the spectrum; scaling a baseline spectrum using the scaling factor; and removing the scaled baseline spectrum from the spectrum; providing a baseline-corrected image dataset of the object for an image of the object to be displayed; and preferably displaying the image of the object, for example on a display means of an OCT imaging system. In the case of multiple spectra included in the scan dataset, a scaling factor is determined separately for each of the spectra, and an individually scaled baseline spectrum is determined and removed for each spectrum accordingly.

[0024] For further preferred details and advantages of the present OCT imaging system and method, please also refer to the comments on the control system above, which apply accordingly herein.

[0025] The invention also relates to a computer program with program code for carrying out the method according to the invention, when the computer program is run on a processor, a processing system or a control system, in particular as mentioned above.

[0026] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and accompanying drawings.

[0027] It should be noted that the features mentioned above and those further described below can be used not only in the respective combinations shown, but also in further combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of an OCT imaging system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagrammatically illustrated flow chart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing different spectra acquired by OCT for the purpose of illustrating the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows OCT images with and without the method according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] 1, a preferred embodiment of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system 100 according to the present invention is shown in schematic form. The OCT imaging system 100 includes a light source 102 (e.g., a low-coherence light source), a beam splitter 104, a reference arm 106, a sample arm 112, a diffraction grating 118, a detector 120 (e.g., a camera), a control system 130, and a display means 140 (e.g., a display or monitor).

[0030] Light originating from light source 102 is guided, for example via fiber optic cable 150, to beam splitter 104, a first portion of the light being transmitted through beam splitter 104 and then guided via optics 108 (shown only diagrammatically and represented by a lens) to reference mirror 110 to create light beam 109, where optics 108 and reference mirror 110 are part of reference arm 106.

[0031] Light reflected from reference mirror 110 is guided back to beam splitter 104, transmitted through this beam splitter 104, and then guided via optics 116 (shown only diagrammatically and represented by a lens) to diffraction grating 118 to create light beam 117.

[0032] A second portion of the light originating from the light source 102 and transmitted through the beam splitter 104 is guided via an optical system 114 (shown only diagrammatically and represented by a lens) to the object 190 to be imaged, which is illustratively an eye, to create a (scanning) light beam 115. The optical system 114 is part of the sample arm 112.

[0033] Light reflected from object 190 or tissue material therein is guided back to and transmitted through beam splitter 104 and then guided via optics 116 to diffraction grating 118. Thus, light reflected in reference arm 106 and light reflected in sample arm 112 are combined using beam splitter 104 and guided in combined light beam 117 to diffraction grating 118, for example, via fiber optic cable 150.

[0034] Light reaching the diffraction grating 118 is diffracted and captured by a detector 120. In this way, the detector 120, functioning as a spectrometer, generates or acquires scan data or a scan data set 122 that is transmitted to a control system 130, for example via an electrical cable 152. The control system 130 includes a processing means (or processor) 132. The scan data set 122 is then processed to obtain an image data set 142 that is transmitted to a display means 140, for example via an electrical cable 152, and displayed as a real-time image 144, i.e., an image that is representative of the object 190 currently being scanned in real time.

[0035] The process by which the intensity scan data set 122 is processed or converted into an image data set 142 that allows the scanned object 190 to be displayed on a display means 140 is described in more detail below.

[0036] A flow chart illustrating a preferred embodiment of a method according to the present invention is shown generally in Figure 2. To provide a real-time OCT image, an imaging process 200 is repeatedly performed in which scan data is acquired to provide image data that is displayed as an image or OCT image on a display means, as described in relation to Figure 1.

[0037] The imaging process 200 begins at step 210 with acquiring a scan dataset from an object using optical coherence tomography. The scan dataset (see reference number 122 in FIG. 1 ) includes at least one spectrum 270. Typically, such a dataset includes multiple spectra, each corresponding to an A-scan of the object. However, it should be noted that the method also essentially works with datasets including only one spectrum. In step 212, a scan dataset including at least one spectrum 270 is received by a control system or its processing means.

[0038] Figure 3 shows three different typical spectra 370, 372, and 374 (intensity l versus frequency f) acquired by OCT. These three different spectra, as might be included in a single scan data set, show a strong carrier or base spectrum (the overall course of the spectrum) of the interferometer signal (small fluctuations that appear as noise). Furthermore, it can be seen that the average magnitudes or amplitudes of the spectra differ from one another (see the horizontal lines at the same intensity value in each of the three figures).

[0039] In step 214, data processing is performed on the scan data set or at least one spectrum 270, respectively. This data processing step includes multiple steps (or substeps) in sequence. In step 216, a scaling factor 274 is determined for the scan data set or its spectrum 270. This scaling factor is used to scale a baseline spectrum 272 that must be removed or subtracted (after scaling) from each of the spectra in the scan data set (or only from that spectrum, if only one is present).

[0040] It should be noted that preferably an individual scaling factor is determined for each spectrum 270 (or 370, 372, 374) of a scan data set, however it would also be possible to determine only one (common) scaling factor 274 for all spectra of one scan data set.

[0041] The scaling factor 274 can be determined by correlating at least a portion of the spectrum of the scan data set with a corresponding portion of a baseline spectrum. Such a baseline spectrum 272 (which essentially corresponds to the carrier or base spectrum described above) is shown in Figure 3. The baseline spectrum 272 used in step 214 can be obtained in different ways, as described above.

[0042] One way is to use spectrum 270 (if multiple spectra are included) included in the scan data set acquired in step 210. In step 244, an average of these spectra is determined to receive baseline spectrum 272. For example, baseline spectrum 272 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the average of three spectra 370, 372, and 374. It should be noted that only a portion of the spectrum (such portion illustratively indicated by reference numeral 371 in FIG. 3) may be used to determine the baseline spectrum. Baseline spectrum 272 can then be used in step 214. Determining the baseline spectrum can then be considered part of the imaging process 200.

[0043] Another way to determine the baseline spectrum 272 is to block light from entering the sample arm as shown in step 240, and then acquire a spectrum as shown in step 242. Thus, a spectrum is acquired that is free from the influence of the sample. Multiple spectra can also be acquired in this manner, and then averaged in step 244 as described above. This can preferably be performed before each cycle of the imaging process 200 (which is also the end of the previous cycle).

[0044] Returning to step 216, the scaling factor 274 can be determined by correlating at least a portion 371 of the spectrum 270 (or 370, 372, 374) of the scan data set with a corresponding portion 375 of the baseline spectrum 272. Of course, it is also possible to correlate the entire spectrum with the baseline spectrum. Such correlation can include, for example, applying a filter, preferably a low-pass filter, to a portion of the spectrum of the scan data set and / or a portion of the baseline spectrum. Furthermore, the correlating can include determining an average value of a portion of the spectrum of the scan data set and determining a ratio of the average value to the (corresponding) portion of the baseline spectrum (see the second equation above).

[0045] After determining the scaling factors 274 (preferably for each spectrum included in the scan data set), each scaling factor 274 is applied to a corresponding spectrum 270 in the scan data set in step 218 to receive a scaled baseline spectrum 276. Note that preferably, a separate scaled baseline spectrum 276 is determined for each spectrum 270 (or 370, 372, 374) included in the scan data set.

[0046] In step 220, each scaled baseline spectrum 276 is removed or subtracted from each spectrum 270 of the scan data set (see equation 3 above) to receive a baseline-corrected spectrum 278. In step 222, a Fourier transform may be applied to the baseline-corrected spectrum, thus providing, in step 224, a baseline-corrected image data set (see reference numeral 142 in FIG. 1 ), which includes at least one baseline-corrected spectrum 278, preferably a plurality of baseline-corrected spectra. In step 226, an image of the object corresponding to the baseline-corrected image data set may be displayed on a display means (see FIG. 1 ).

[0047] Figure 4 shows OCT images with and without the use of the method of the present invention. Each image corresponds to a B-scan resulting from multiple A-scans or spectra. The top image 400 contains a central horizontal line (a bright streak at zero frequency), indicated by the white arrow. This horizontal line is the result of simply subtracting the result of the average baseline spectrum. However, the bottom image 410 is the result of applying adaptive scaling to the baseline spectrum before subtraction from each A-scan, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The bright streak (central horizontal line) has been removed (the white arrow is again in the same position as in image 400 above).

[0048] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as " / ".

[0049] While some aspects have been described in the context of an apparatus, it will be apparent that these aspects also represent a description of a corresponding method, where a block or apparatus corresponds to a step or feature of a step, and similarly, aspects described in the context of a step also represent a description of a corresponding block or item or feature of a corresponding apparatus.

[0050] Some embodiments relate to an OCT imaging system including a control system such as that described in connection with one or more of FIGS. 1-4. Alternatively, the OCT imaging system may be part of or connected to a system such as that described in connection with one or more of FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an OCT imaging system 100 configured to perform the methods described herein. The OCT imaging system 100 includes an OCT imaging means and a computer or control system 130. The OCT imaging means is configured to perform imaging and is connected to the control system 130. The control system 130 is configured to perform at least a portion of the methods described herein. The control system 130 may be configured to perform a machine learning algorithm. The control system 130 and (parts of) the OCT imaging means may be separate entities or may be integrated into a common housing. The control system 130 may be part of the central processing system of the OCT imaging system 100, and / or the control system 130 may be part of a subordinate component of the OCT imaging system 100, such as a sensor, actuator, camera, or lighting unit of the OCT imaging system 100.

[0051] Control system 130 may be a local computing device (e.g., a personal computer, laptop, tablet computer, or mobile phone) with one or more processors and one or more storage devices, or may be a distributed computing system (e.g., a cloud computing system with one or more processors and one or more storage devices distributed across various locations, such as local clients and / or one or more remote server farms and / or data centers). Control system 130 may include any circuit or combination of circuits. In one embodiment, control system 130 may include one or more processors, which may be of any type. As used herein, processor may contemplate any type of computing circuit, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor of a microscope or microscope component (e.g., a camera), a microcontroller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a multi-core processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other type of processor or processing circuit. Other types of circuitry that may be included in control system 130 may be custom circuitry, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc., such as one or more circuits (e.g., communications circuits) used in wireless devices such as cell phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, two-way radios, and similar electronic systems. Control system 130 may also include one or more storage devices, which may include one or more memory elements suitable for a particular application, such as main memory in the form of random access memory (RAM), one or more hard drives and / or one or more drives that handle removable media, such as compact discs (CDs), flash memory cards, digital video discs (DVDs), etc.Control system 130 may include a display device, one or more speakers and a controller which may include a keyboard and / or mouse, a trackball, a touch screen, a voice recognition device, or any other device that allows a user of the system to input information to and receive information from control system 130.

[0052] Some or all of the method steps may be performed by (or using) a hardware apparatus, such as, for example, a processor, microprocessor, programmable computer, or electronic circuitry. In some embodiments, any one or more of the essential method steps may be performed by such an apparatus.

[0053] Depending on certain implementation requirements, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in hardware or software. This implementation may be performed by a non-transitory storage medium, such as a digital storage medium, for example, a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-ray, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or a FLASH memory, on which electronically readable control signals are stored, which cooperate (or can cooperate) with a programmable computer system to implement the respective methods. Therefore, the digital storage medium may be computer-readable.

[0054] Some embodiments of the present invention include a data carrier having electronically readable control signals that can cooperate with a programmable computer system to perform any of the methods described herein.

[0055] Generally, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a computer program product comprising program code that is operative to perform any of the methods when the computer program product is run on a computer, and that may be stored, for example, on a machine-readable carrier.

[0056] Further embodiments comprise the computer program for performing any of the methods described herein, stored on a machine readable carrier.

[0057] In other words, an embodiment of the present invention is, therefore, a computer program having a program code for performing any of the methods described herein when the computer program runs on a computer.

[0058] Therefore, another embodiment of the invention is a recording medium (or data carrier or computer readable medium) containing a computer program stored thereon for performing any of the methods described herein when executed by a processor. The data carrier, digital recording medium or recording medium is typically tangible and / or non-transitory. Another embodiment of the invention is an apparatus as described herein, comprising a processor and a recording medium.

[0059] A further embodiment of the present invention is, therefore, a data stream or a sequence of signals representing the computer program for performing any of the methods described herein, the data stream or sequence of signals being for example adapted to be transmitted via a data communication connection, for example the Internet.

[0060] Another embodiment comprises a processing means, for example a computer, or a programmable logic device configured to or adapted to perform any of the methods described herein.

[0061] Another embodiment comprises a computer having installed thereon the computer program for performing any of the methods described herein.

[0062] Another embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus or system configured to transfer (e.g., electronically or optically) a computer program for implementing any of the methods described herein to a receiver. The receiver may be, for example, a computer, a mobile device, a storage device, etc. The apparatus or system may include, for example, a file server for transferring the computer program to the receiver.

[0063] In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (e.g., a field programmable gate array) may be used to perform some or all of the functionality of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field programmable gate array may cooperate with a microprocessor to perform any of the methods described herein. In general, the methods are advantageously performed by any hardware apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 100 OCT Imaging System 102 Light source 104 Beam Splitter 106 reference arm 108,114,116 Optical system 109,115,117 Light beam 110 Reference Mirror 112 Sample arm 118 Diffraction Grating 120 detectors 122 intensity scan data 130 Control System 132 Processing means 140 Display means 142 image datasets 150 Fiber Optic Cable 152 Electrical Cable 190 Objects 200 Imaging Process 210~226, 240~244 Method steps 270,370,372,374 Spectrum 272 Baseline Spectra 274 Scaling Factor 276 Scaled Baseline Spectra 278 baseline-corrected spectra 371 Part of the Spectrum 375 Part of the baseline spectrum 400,410 OCT images

Claims

1. A control system (130) for controlling an optical coherence tomography imaging means for imaging an object (190), comprising: The control system controls the following steps of the imaging process: receiving (212) a scan data set (122) from the object (190) acquired using optical coherence tomography, the scan data set (122) including a plurality of spectra (270, 370, 372, 374); performing (214) data processing on each of the plurality of spectra of the scan data set (122), comprising the steps of: determining (216) a scaling factor (274) for said spectra (270, 370, 372, 374); scaling (218) the baseline spectrum (272) using said scaling factor (274); removing (220) a scaled baseline spectrum (276) from said spectrum (270); performing data processing (214), providing (224) a baseline-corrected image data set (142) of the object (190) for an image (144) of the object (190) to be displayed; is configured to run the control system (130) is configured to determine each scaling factor (274) by correlating at least a portion (371) of the spectrum (270) of the scan data set (122) with a corresponding portion (375) of the baseline spectrum (272); and correlating at least a portion (371) of the spectrum of the scan data set (122) with a corresponding portion (375) of the baseline spectrum (272) comprises applying a filter, preferably a low-pass filter, to the portion of the spectrum of the scan data set and / or the portion of the baseline spectrum. A control system (130).

2. A control system (130) for controlling an optical coherence tomography imaging means for imaging an object (190), comprising: The control system controls the following steps of the imaging process: receiving (212) a scan data set (122) from the object (190) acquired using optical coherence tomography, the scan data set (122) including a plurality of spectra (270, 370, 372, 374); performing (214) data processing on each of the plurality of spectra of the scan data set (122), comprising the steps of: determining (216) a scaling factor (274) for said spectra (270, 370, 372, 374); scaling (218) the baseline spectrum (272) using said scaling factor (274); removing (220) a scaled baseline spectrum (276) from said spectrum (270); performing data processing (214), providing (224) a baseline-corrected image data set (142) of the object (190) for an image (144) of the object (190) to be displayed; is configured to run the baseline spectrum (272) is acquired prior to receiving the scan data set (122) and is used for at least one subsequent imaging process (200); A control system (130).

3. For the scanned data set (122) including a plurality of the spectra (270, 370, 372, 374), the method includes determining (216) an individual scaling factor (274) for each of the plurality of spectra, separately scaling the baseline spectrum (272) using each of the scaling factors (274), and removing (220) each of the scaled baseline spectra (276) from each of the spectra (270, 370, 372, 374). The control system (130) of claim 1 or 2.

4. The control system (130) is configured to repeatedly perform the imaging process (200). The control system (130) of any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Correlating at least a portion of the spectrum (270) of the scanned data set (122) with a corresponding portion of the baseline spectrum (272) includes determining an average value of the portion of the spectrum of the scanned data set and determining a ratio of the average value to the portion of the baseline spectrum. The control system (130) of any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the baseline spectrum (272) is obtained from the plurality of spectra (270, 370, 372, 374) of the scan data set (122) and is used for at least the current imaging process (200); The control system (130) of claim 1.

7. The scanning data set (122) from the object (190) is acquired using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The control system (130) of any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. An optical coherence tomography imaging system (100) for imaging an object (190), the optical coherence tomography imaging system (100) comprising: a control system (130) according to any one of claims 1 to 7; optical coherence tomography imaging means including a light source (102); and preferably a display means (140) configured to display an image (144) of the object (190); An optical coherence tomography imaging system (100) comprising:

9. The optical coherence tomography imaging system (100) is configured for use during a surgical procedure performed on the subject (190). The optical coherence tomography imaging system (100) of claim 8.

10. 1. A method for imaging an object (190) using optical coherence tomography, comprising: The method comprises the following steps of an imaging process: acquiring (210) a scan data set (122) from the object (190) using optical coherence tomography, the scan data set (122) including a plurality of spectra (270, 370, 372, 374); performing (214) data processing on each of the plurality of spectra of the scan data set (122), comprising the steps of: determining (216) a scaling factor (274) for said spectra (270, 370, 372, 374); scaling (218) the baseline spectrum (272) using said scaling factor (274); removing (220) the scaled baseline spectrum (276) from the spectrum (270); performing data processing (214), providing (224) a baseline-corrected image data set (142) of the object (190) for an image (144) of the object (190) to be displayed; Preferably, displaying the image (144) of the object (190); Including, The method includes, prior to acquiring the scan data set, acquiring a baseline spectrum for use in at least one subsequent imaging process. method.

11. The method includes repeatedly performing the imaging process (200). The method of claim 10.

12. the baseline spectrum (270) is obtained by blocking light incident on a sample arm (112) of an optical coherence tomography imaging means including a light source (102), and acquiring at least one spectrum; 12. The method according to claim 10 or 11.

13. A computer program with program code for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, when said computer program is run on a control system (130). Computer program.

Images