Functional Optical Coherence Tomography: In Vivo Applications in Dermatology and Neuroscience

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a revolutionary imaging technique commonly used in ophthalmology, and on its way to become a major tool in clinical dermatology and neuroscience. In this thesis, the non-invasive imaging capabilities of functional OCT are demonstrated in label-free detection of high-resolution, three-dimensional structural and microvascular features of in vivo human skin and mouse cerebral cortex, with various conditions. Moreover, new label-free methods for tissue injury mapping (TIM) and OCT-based lymphangiography (OLAG) with a clinical prospect are proposed. Based on the results, functional OCT is promising to become an indispensable, yet cost effective tool to monitor changes in tissue morphology and hemodynamics for diagnosis of various diseases or for following pharmacological interventions.