Optical coherence microscopy in gastrointestinal tissues

Summary form only given. Optical coherence microscopy (OCM) is a novel technique complementary to optical coherence tomography (OCT), which combines low-coherence interferometry with confocal microscopy to achieve micron-resolution optical imaging deep in highly scattering media. OCM can be implemented using a single mode fiber optic low-coherence interferometer. We have implemented an OCM system specifically designed for high-resolution imaging deep in highly scattering tissues by utilizing low-coherence illumination from a superluminescent diode (SLD) source at 1.3-/spl mu/m center wavelength. High-sensitivity detection of backscattered light (>95 dB dynamic range) is accomplished using heterodyne detection at 1.6-kHz modulation frequency, provided by small-amplitude PZT modulation of the reference arm length. OCM examination of microscopic morphology in bulk gastrointestinal tissues in situ is illustrated.