Optical imaging

Optical Imaging is a technique used to visualize internal structures of the body using light. It is a non-invasive method that employs photons to obtain detailed images of organs and tissues.

Overview

Optical Imaging is a rapidly evolving field of study in medical imaging technology. It uses light as an investigative tool for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The technique involves the use of a special camera that captures the way light interacts with the tissues and organs in the body.

Types of Optical Imaging

There are several types of optical imaging techniques, including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Photoacoustic Imaging, Diffuse Optical Imaging (DOI), and Fluorescence Molecular Tomography (FMT).

Optical Coherence Tomography

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses light waves to take cross-sectional images of biological tissues.

Photoacoustic Imaging

Photoacoustic Imaging is a biomedical imaging modality based on the photoacoustic effect. It combines the advantages of optical absorption contrast with ultrasonic spatial resolution for deep imaging in (optical) diffusive or quasi-diffusive regimes.

Diffuse Optical Imaging

Diffuse Optical Imaging (DOI) is a medical imaging modality which uses near infrared light to generate images of the body. The technique measures the optical absorption and scattering properties of tissue to produce images.

Fluorescence Molecular Tomography

Fluorescence Molecular Tomography (FMT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that enables three-dimensional quantification of fluorescence signal in vivo.

Applications

Optical imaging techniques are used in various fields such as oncology, neurology, cardiology, and gastroenterology. They are also used in preclinical research for drug development and in basic research for understanding the pathophysiology of disease.

See Also

• Medical Imaging
• Optical Coherence Tomography
• Photoacoustic Imaging
• Diffuse Optical Imaging
• Fluorescence Molecular Tomography