Aberration diverse OCT imaging to suppress scattering noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical Coherent Tomography (OCT) imaging is limited in penetration depth, especially in highly scattering media, where multiple scattering contributions increase image background noise, hindering effective imaging.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an OCT system that uses hybrid adaptive optics (HAO) and computational adaptive optics (CAO) to introduce astigmatic wavefront aberrations, allowing for the suppression of multiple scattering noise by coherent averaging of images taken with different aberration states, thereby enhancing signal-to-background ratio (SBR).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If OCT imaging is performed in highly scattering media, then imaging information can be obtained, but multiple scattering contributions increase image background noise significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the OCT signal into ballistic photons (single-scattering contribution) and scattered photons (multiple scattering contribution) based on their phase coherence properties. By separating these components through coherent averaging of images acquired with different optical aberration patterns, the system isolates the useful ballistic signal from the harmful multiple scattering background, effectively resolving the technical contradiction between obtaining imaging information and suppressing scattering noise.
2Length of stationary object
If imaging depth is increased in scattering media, then deeper tissue can be imaged, but detected multiple scattering contributions increase the image background
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical aberration parameters (introducing different aberration patterns) across multiple acquisitions to differentiate between ballistic and scattered photons. By varying the aberration state and performing coherent averaging, the system maintains sensitivity to deep-tissue ballistic signals while the incoherent multiple scattering background averages out, enabling deeper imaging without proportional increase in background noise.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple scattering contributions are suppressed, then image background is reduced, but imaging penetration depth capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where images acquired with different optical aberration patterns are coherently averaged. The phase information from each acquisition provides feedback that reinforces the ballistic photon signal (which maintains consistent phase relationships) while suppressing the multiple scattering background (which exhibits random phase variations), thereby reducing background noise while preserving deep-tissue imaging capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly improves the signal-to-background ratio and allows for deeper volumetric imaging in scattering media, enabling 'super-deep' OCT imaging by constructively adding single-scattered signals while randomly phasing multiply-scattered contributions, thus reducing background noise.
Implementation Method 1
Optical Coherent Tomography (OCT) imaging is based on optical interference of a reference optical beam and a probe or sampling optical beam
Implementation Method 2
combining image signals from in-phase contributions from the probing with different optical aberration patterns while suppressing randomly phased contributions from scattering by the target sample
Data Source
AI summary
The technology disclosed in this patent document can be used to implement an optical coherent tomography (OCT) system that combines a control of the probe light to the target sample with different optical aberration patterns in optically probing the target sample and an OCT imaging processing to enhance the OCT imaging quality by combining image signals from in-phase contributions from the probing with different optical aberration patterns while suppressing randomly phased contributions from scattering by the target sample.