Results and Applications

The endoscopic OCT diagnostic has an axial resolution of approx. 25 µm at a lateral resolution of 20 µm. In a series of validation experiments, cross-section images were taken of vessels ex vivo in the vascular system of a porcine heart. The images were recorded with the probe in a static position while the en- doscope mirror was rotated to move the measuring beam across the cross- section of the vessel. A clear contrast could be observed between the vessels and the tissue surrounding them. With the help of a software program specially developed for OCT diagnosis, the measurement data can be displayed as 2-D sections. Image sequences can be used to evaluate changes in the vessels' position and geometry, for example after thermal interaction due to irradiation with laser light.