Fabrication of high quality optical coherence tomography (OCT) calibration artefacts using femtosecond inscription

Graham C.B. Lee, Janarthanan Rasakanthan, Peter D. Woolliams, Kate Sugden

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputConference publication

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive three-dimensional imaging system that is capable of producing high resolution in-vivo images. OCT is approved for use in clinical trials in Japan, USA and Europe. For OCT to be used effectively in a clinical diagnosis, a method of standardisation is required to assess the performance across different systems. This standardisation can be implemented using highly accurate and reproducible artefacts for calibration at both installation and throughout the lifetime of a system. Femtosecond lasers can write highly reproducible and highly localised micro-structured calibration artefacts within a transparent media. We report on the fabrication of high quality OCT calibration artefacts in fused silica using a femtosecond laser. The calibration artefacts were written in fused silica due to its high purity and ability to withstand high energy femtosecond pulses. An Amplitude Systemes s-Pulse Yb:YAG femtosecond laser with an operating wavelength of 1026 nm was used to inscribe three dimensional patterns within the highly optically transmissive substrate. Four unique artefacts have been designed to measure a wide variety of parameters, including the points spread function (PSF), modulation transfer function (MTF), sensitivity, distortion and resolution - key parameters which define the performance of the OCT. The calibration artefacts have been characterised using an optical microscope and tested on a swept source OCT. The results demonstrate that the femtosecond laser inscribed artefacts have the potential of quantitatively and qualitatively validating the performance of any OCT system.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBiophotonics: Photonic Solutions for Better Health Care III
EditorsJürgen Popp, Wolfgang Drexler, Valery V. Tuchin, Dennis L. Matthews
PublisherSPIE
Number of pages9
Volume8427
ISBN (Print)978-0-8194-9119-0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Apr 2012
EventBiophotonics: Photonic Solutions for Better Health Care III - Brussels, Belgium
Duration: 16 Apr 201219 Apr 2012

Publication series

NameProgress in biomedical optics and imaging
PublisherSPIE
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Conference

ConferenceBiophotonics: Photonic Solutions for Better Health Care III
Country/TerritoryBelgium
CityBrussels
Period16/04/1219/04/12

Bibliographical note

Lee, Graham C.B.; Rasakanthan, Janarthanan; Woolliams, Peter D.; Sugden, Kate, "Fabrication of high quality optical coherence tomography (OCT) calibration artefacts using femtosecond inscription", Biophotonics: Photonic Solutions for Better Health Care III., ed. Jürgen Popp; Wolfgang Drexler; Valery V. Tuchin; Dennis L. Matthews. Vol. 8427 SPIE, 2012. (Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging).

Copyright 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic electronic or print reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.922348

Keywords

  • optical coherence tomography
  • femtosecond laser inscription
  • point spread function
  • sensitivity
  • distortion
  • standardisation
  • characterisation

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