• Digital Health

Deep Light Imaging: Paving the Path for Enhanced Diagnosis

July 24, 2023

In a groundbreaking jump forward in the field of optical imaging, a worldwide consortium of researchers has disclosed a unique technique that helps in the early identification of diseases and furthers diagnostics in ophthalmology, dermatology, and cardiology.

The groundbreaking research, recently showcased in the renowned journal Science Advances (Friday, July 7), was spearheaded by an expert group from the University of Adelaide, Australia, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), alongside partners from AerosCorporation Corp in the USA, and faculty from the University of St Andrews’ School of Physics and Astronomy. Their collective efforts aim to enhance the diagnostic prowess of optical coherence tomography (OCT).

OCT has shown what it can do as a foundation in biomedical imaging throughout recent years because of its use with light waves to map and measure tissue thickness. Yet, there’s always been a proverbial ‘fog’ limiting its potential: the light scattering in tissue. This scattering hinders the clarity of imaging, especially beyond a depth of 1 mm.

Drawing an analogy from nature, the scattering of light in OCT can be compared to light diffusing in dense fog. This fog is formed by water droplets having a different refractive index than the ambient air, causing reduced visibility. Similarly, biological tissues, including cell membranes, scatter light, making precise imaging problematic.

Traditionally, OCT’s efficacy was believed to hinge on light that had undergone a single backscattering event, with multiple scattered lights considered counterproductive. Be that as it may, this global group proposes a change in outlook. By decisively gathering the duplicate dispersed light, they exhibited a huge improvement in imaging, particularly in examples with high dispersion. The strategy includes a straightforward modification in the light conveyance and assortment ways.

Gavrielle Untracht, the lead creator of the paper from DTU expressed, “The results of our study could be the start of a new way of thinking about OCT imaging.”

Professor Kishan Dholakia, a key contributor from the University of St Andrews, echoed similar sentiments: “OCT is a world established method to gain useful information on human health — our approach can enhance this even further.“

Dr. Peter Andersen from DTU explained, “The unique configuration, supported by our modelling, should redefine our view on OCT signal formation — and we can now use this insight to extract more information and to improve diagnosis of disease.”

The consortium is confident that their methodology will enhance optical imaging in the future. Taking into account that the OCT market was valued at $1.3 billion in 2021 and is expected to fundamentally increase by 2030, their discovery could no doubt be an unmistakable benefit to the industry.

The venture was made possible thanks to generous funding from the UK and EU (H2020), as well as the Australian Research Council (ARC).

Together, they will reshape how optical imaging and illness diagnostics are used in the future.

 

Sources:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230710113834.htm