OCT/PS-OCT imaging of brachial plexus neurovascular structures

David T. Raphael; Jun Zhang; Yaoping Zhang; Zhongping Chen; Carol Miller; Li Zhou

doi:10.1117/12.527546

13 July 2004 OCT/PS-OCT imaging of brachial plexus neurovascular structures

David T. Raphael, Jun Zhang, Yaoping Zhang, Zhongping Chen, Carol Miller, Li Zhou

Proceedings Volume 5312, Lasers in Surgery: Advanced Characterization, Therapeutics, and Systems XIV; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.527546
Event: Biomedical Optics 2004, 2004, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

Introduction: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows high-resolution imaging (less than 10 microns) of tissue structures. A pilot study with OCT and polarization-sensitive OCT (PS-OCT) was undertaken to image ex-vivo neurovascular structures (vessels, nerves) of the canine brachial plexus. Methods: OCT is an interferometry-based optical analog of B-mode ultrasound, which can image through non-transparent biological tissues. With approval of the USC Animal Care and Use Committee, segments of the supra- and infraclavicular brachial plexus were excised from euthanized adult dogs, and the ex-vivo specimens were placed in cold pH-buffered physiologic solution. An OCT beam, in micrometer translational steps, scanned the fixed-position bisected specimens in transverse and longitudinal views. Two-dimensional images were obtained from identified arteries and nerves, with specific sections of interest stained with hematoxylin-eosin for later imaging through a surgical microscope. Results: with the beam scan direction transverse to arteries, the resulting OCT images showed an identifiable arterial lumen and arterial wall tissue layers. By comparison, transverse beam OCT images of nerves revealed a multitude of smaller nerve bundles contained within larger circular-shaped fascicles. PS-OCT imaging was helpful in showing the characteristic birefringence exhibited by arrayed neural structures. Discussion: High-resolution OCT imaging may be useful in the optical identification of neurovascular structures during attempted regional nerve blockade. If incorporated into a needle-shaped catheter endoscope, such a technology could prevent intraneural and intravascular injections immediately prior to local anesthetic injection. The major limitation of OCT is that it can form a coherent image of tissue structures only to a depth of 1.5 - 2 mm.

Citation Download Citation

David T. Raphael, Jun Zhang, Yaoping Zhang, Zhongping Chen, Carol Miller, and Li Zhou "OCT/PS-OCT imaging of brachial plexus neurovascular structures", Proc. SPIE 5312, Lasers in Surgery: Advanced Characterization, Therapeutics, and Systems XIV, (13 July 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.527546

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