A new publication from Opto-Electronic Advances, 10.29026/oes.2024.230020 discusses revolutionizing OCT imaging.
Deconvolution, an essential method widely employed in various optical imaging modalities such as fluorescence microscopy, has been less practical in Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) due to significant challenges. In OCT imaging, the primary issue with deconvolution arises from noise-induced ringing artifacts that degrade image quality. Overcoming this obstacle is critical for harnessing the full potential of deconvolution in OCT. This research addresses this challenge head-on, innovatively mitigating the effects of noise and effectively reducing ringing artifacts. This breakthrough revitalizes the use of deconvolution in OCT, significantly enhancing image clarity and details. The successful application of deconvolution in OCT marks a pivotal advancement, not only improving diagnostic accuracy in medical imaging but also paving the way for new applications across various fields of optical imaging. The impact of this development is substantial, offering a powerful tool for better understanding and interpreting complex biological structures.
This article focuses on resolving the issue of noise-induced artifacts in OCT images caused by deconvolution methods. The primary goal of this study was to improve the clarity of OCT images by overcoming the limitations of traditional deconvolution method. To achieve this, the authors proposed the integration of random phase modulation with deconvolution, an approach aimed at effectively minimizing ringing artifacts. This would enhance the quality of OCT imaging.
The novel technique, referred to as Deconv-RPM, incorporates the iterative Richardson-Lucy deconvolution algorithm with the numerical synthesis of random phase masks (Fig. 1). This integration has shown to significantly reduce the full width at half-maximum (FWHM) in OCT images, leading to images that are clearer and possess greater detail.
The method was remarkably successful in improving the visualization of cellular-level details in various samples, including ex vivo nonkeratinized epithelial cells and in vivo moving blood cells (Fig. 2). This represented a considerable enhancement over traditional OCT imaging.
The Deconv-RPM method has paved the way for advanced biomedical applications of OCT. By offering more accurate and detailed images, it has potential applications in a range of fields, from medical diagnostics to biological research. This advancement is a game-changer in OCT imaging, providing a new tool for researchers and clinicians.
Keywords: deconvolution / random phase masks / deblurring
