Low Cost OCT Angiography with Spectroscopic Contrast

Project Summary The overall objective of this research project is to develop a low cost implementation of optical coherence tomography based angiography (OCTA). To meet this objective, we propose to incorporate several novel OCT components and techniques into a new OCTA instrument which can be applied in research studies and offers a pathway for commercialization and clinical use. This imaging system will use the agile design capabilities of our low cost OCT engine, which has enabled us to offer the first commercial OCT research system for sale at a price under $10,000. For this project we will implement faster scanning, up to A-scan rates of 80 kHz, implement scan patterns that enhance efficiency of OCTA scan acquisition and expand the spectral range of our OCT system to permit use of spectroscopic information to measure blood oxygenation. OCTA has seen the most interest in assessing retinal vasculature as an alternative to fluorescein angiography (FA) as it avoids the need for a fluorescent contrast agent. Low cost OCTA could expand application of the technique beyond diagnosis of retinal disease in patients with symptoms to include wider patient screening. For this project, we are particularly interested in developing use cases for OCTA in fields beyond ophthalmology, including assessing tissue perfusion and neurological defects. We seek to demonstrate the feasibility of a low cost OCTA system that is suitable for commercialization. To reach this goal, the following Specific Aims are proposed: 1. Development of low cost OCTA engine and analysis software. 2. Adding spectroscopic information to OCTA and 3. Test and validate OCTA system with in vivo pilot studies. Upon completion of this project we will have demonstrated the feasibility of a low cost OCTA for structural and functional imaging of vascular networks and provided justification for further commercial development.Project NarrativeThe proposed research will develop a new imaging tool for examining blood vessels. This technology will allow doctors to obtain 3D images of blood vessels within tissue without the need for adding contrast agents. Here we seek to evaluate the technical and commercial feasibility of a low cost system that would enable wider application and use of this technology.