Abstract

Contrasting of biotissue layers in OCT images after application of mechanical compression is discussed. The study is performed on ex vivo samples of human rectum, and in vivo on skin of human volunteers. We show that mechanical compression provides contrasting of biotissue layer boundaries due to different mechanical properties of layers. We show that alteration of pressure from 0 up to 0.45 N/mm² causes contrast increase from 1 to 10 dB in OCT imaging of human rectum ex vivo. Results of ex vivo studies are in good agreement with Monte Carlo simulations. Application of pressure of 0.45 N/mm² causes increase in contrast of epidermis-dermis junction in OCT-images of human skin in vivo for about 10 dB.

© 2011 OSA/SPIE