In vivo three-dimensional microelectromechanical endoscopic swept source optical coherence tomography

In clinical applications, three-dimensional (3-D) microscopic image volume reveals tissue morphological changes, which are closely related to pre-cancer and early stage disease, much better than two-dimensional images. However, the traditional endoscope only achieves two-dimensional surface images. In this paper, a 3-D endoscopic microscope was developed based on a rotational microelectromechanical system (MEMS) probe [1]. The 3-D helix scan mode was realized by combining a MEMS motor rotational scan and linear stage transversal movement. In order to coordinate the high spin speed of MEMS motor inside the endoscope, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system with a broadband fast swept laser was used. In vivo 3-D image volumes of rabbit esophagus and trachea were demonstrated.