Optical coherence tomography: An emerging technology for biomedical imaging and optical biopsy

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging technology for performing high-resolution cross-sectional imaging. OCT is analogous to ultrasound im aging, except that it uses light instead of sound. OCT can provide cross-se ctional images of tissue structure on the micron scale in situ and in real time. Using OCT in combination with catheters and endoscopes enables high-r esolution intraluminal imaging of organ systems. OCT can function as a type of optical biopsy and is a powerful imaging technology for medical diagnos tics because unlike conventional histopathology which requires removal of a tissue specimen and processing for microscopic examination, OCT can provid e images of tissue in situ and in real time. OCT can be used where standard excisional biopsy is hazardous or impossible, to reduce sampling errors as sociated with excisional biopsy, and to guide interventional procedures. in this paper, we review OCT technology and describe its potential biomedical and clinical applications.