Real-time in vivo imaging of human gastrointestinal ultrastructure by use of endoscopic optical coherence tomography with a novel efficient interferometer design

We report on the design and initial clinical experience with a real-time en doscopic optical coherence tomography (EOCT) imaging system. The EOCT unit includes a high-speed optical coherence tomography interferometer, endoscop e-compatible catheter probes, and real-time data capture and display hardwa re and software. Several technological innovations are introduced that impr ove EOCT efficiency and performance. In initial clinical studies using the EOCT system, the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, ileum, colon, and rectum of patients with normal endoscopic findings were examined. In these initial in vestigations, EOCT imaging clearly delineated the substructure of the mucos a and submucosa in several gastrointestinal organs; microscopic structures such as glands, blood vessels, pits, villi, and crypts were also observed. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 170.3880, 170.2150, 170.450 0, 170.2680.