Blood optical clearing studied by optical coherence tomography

Olga S. Zhernovaya; Valery V. Tuchin; Martin J. Leahy

doi:10.1117/1.JBO.18.2.026014

6 February 2013 Blood optical clearing studied by optical coherence tomography

Olga S. Zhernovaya, Valery V. Tuchin, Martin J. Leahy

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Journal of Biomedical Optics, Vol. 18, Issue 2, 026014 (February 2013). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.18.2.026014

Abstract

The main limitation of optical imaging techniques for studying biological tissues is light scattering leading to decreasing of transmittance, which lowers the imaging quality. In this case, an immersion method for optical clearing of biological tissues can provide a possible solution to this problem, because the application of biocompatible clearing agents can reduce light scattering. Optical clearing represents a promising approach to increasing the imaging depth for various techniques, for example, various spectroscopy and fluorescent methods, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). We investigate the improvement of light penetration depth in blood after application of polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, propylene glycol, and hemoglobin solutions using an OCT system. Influence of clearing agents on light transport in tissues and blood was also investigated in the mouse tail vein.

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Olga S. Zhernovaya, Valery V. Tuchin, and Martin J. Leahy "Blood optical clearing studied by optical coherence tomography," Journal of Biomedical Optics 18(2), 026014 (6 February 2013). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.18.2.026014

Published: 6 February 2013

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