1700nm spectroscopic swept-source OCT imaging system for characterization of atherosclerosis

Conventional IV-OCT using a 1300 nm wavelength band does not provide sufficient imaging depth, and it is difficult to distinguish normal tissue from lipid due to low lipid absorption coefficient. To solve this problem, we used a 1700 nm wavelength band that has a low scattering coefficient and high lipid absorption. For spectroscopic analysis, the light source band was separated into two. The lipid absorption of the two bands was compared to analyze the presence and concentration of lipids. The performance of the OCT system was confirmed by imaging phantom samples and ex vivo samples.