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Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging in Developmental Biology

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Book cover Developmental Biology Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 135))

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an attractive imaging technique for developmental biology because it permits the imaging of tissue microstructure in situ, yielding micron-scale image resolution without the need for excision of a specimen and tissue processing. OCT enables repeated imaging studies to be performed on the same specimen in order to track developmental changes. OCT is analogous to ultrasound B mode imaging except that it uses low-coherence light rather than sound and performs cross-sectional imaging by measuring the backscattered intensity of light from structures in tissue (1). The principles of OCT imaging are shown schematically in Fig. 1. The OCT image is a gray-scale or false-color two-dimensional (2-D) representation of backscattered light intensity in a cross-sectional plane. The OCT image represents the differential backscattering contrast between different tissue types on a micron scale. Because OCT performs imaging using light, it has a one- to two-order-of-magnitude higher spatial resolution than ultrasound and does not require specimen contact.

OCT imaging is performed by directing an optical beam at the object to be imaged, and the echo delay of backscattered light is measured.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

    Stephen A. Boppart & James G. Fujimoto

  2. Cardiac Unit and Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

    Mark E. Brezinski

Authors
  1. Stephen A. Boppart
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  2. Mark E. Brezinski
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  3. James G. Fujimoto
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

    Rocky S. Tuan

  2. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

    Cecilia W. Lo

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© 2000 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Boppart, S.A., Brezinski, M.E., Fujimoto, J.G. (2000). Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging in Developmental Biology. In: Walker, J.M., Tuan, R.S., Lo, C.W. (eds) Developmental Biology Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 135. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-685-1:217

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-685-1:217

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-852-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-685-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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