A Review on the use of Optical Coherence Tomography in Medical Imaging

Abstract

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a Three-dimensional imaging technique with ultrahigh spatial resolution even in highly scattering media. It is based on measurements of the reflected light from tissue discontinuities. Optical coherence tomography delivers high resolution images, because the test is based on light, rather than sound or radio frequency. Optical coherence tomography provides a 1 to 15 μm resolution but only a depth of 1 to 2 mm can be imaged in opaque tissues such as arteries or skin. In transparent tissues such as the eye, greater imaging depths are possible. In addition, optical coherence tomography is capable of providing information about tissue composition. This paper, aims at reviewing the working principle of Optical Coherence Tomography and the quality of the image produced through this technique. A major drawback of Optical Coherence Tomography image is that, it suffers from speckle noise.