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OCT Microscope Showing Optional Rigid Microscope Stage

Features

• Center Wavelength: 1325 nm
• 3 dB Spectral Bandwidth: 100 nm
• Axial Scan Rate:16 kHz
• Maximum OCT Scan Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 3 mm (L x W x D)
• 3D Images in Under 20 Seconds
• 25 Frames per Second 2D Imaging
• Nikon FN1 Microscope Included

Thorlabs is committed to bringing OCT-based solutions to meet a variety of customers' needs. In an ongoing effort to expand OCT solutions, Thorlabs has developed a module for the Nikon FN1 microscope. The OCS1300SS-NIK module utilizes a 1325 nm swept source OCT engine, enabling cross-sectional and volumetric imaging as well as surface profiling. The 1325 nm center wavelength is ideal for use with many biological tissue samples, as the near-infrared light penetrates multiple layers of tissue than shorter wavelengths.

The OCS1300SS-NIK module is capable of imaging up to 25 fps for 2D cross-sectional scans. With the added OCT capability, a user can easily visualize dynamic processes and have real-time feedback when manipulating the sample. Volume imaging is performed by collecting several cross-sectional scans across the sample. This system, which provides a maximum sampling size of 1024 x 1024 x 512 pixels (L x W x D) of a volume up to 10 x 10 x 3 mm (L x W x D), takes one minute. The imaging depth, which is dependent on the absorption and scattering properties of the sample, can be up to 3 mm. Thorlabs' add-on OCT modules are ideal for customers who desire real-time cross-sectional optical imaging up to 3 mm in depth to observe biological materials. The seamless integration of the OCT module into the microscope allows a user to quickly switch between OCT and optical microscopy with the pull of a lever. The OCT and microscopy beam lines are collinear making it easy to overlay the two images. Please call for more information on this system.

Drug Coating Analysis

The image to the left shows a coating for a delayed-release drug delivery system. Delayed-release drug delivery systems provide controlled drug release after a predetermined lag time. Due to increasing demand, various types of single unit (tablet or capsule) and multiple unit delayed release systems are being developed. Multi-layered delayed-release systems usually consist of an inert core and three layers of coating. The three coatings typically include a drug layer, a swellable polymer layer, and a water insoluble polymer outer coating. Thorlabs’ high-speed OCT imaging system was chosen to evaluate the performance of this coating due to the ability of the OCT laser to penetrate the top polymer film and probe the microstructure of the layers below.

Developmental Biology

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging technique.  Given its imaging field of view of 1-10 mm, and imaging resolution of 2-20 µm, OCT has been used extensively in developmental biology research to study the embryological development of various organs and systems. The image to the left is a 3D image of an African Frog (Xenopus laevis) during its tadpole stage. The 3D image is a compilation of adjacent scans. Please see our OCT video for a compilation of 2D images of the the tadpole.

Analyzing a Leaf

The top image to the left shows an unhealthy portion of a leaf. This video is a rotating 3D OCT image of the unhealthy section.

The bottom image to the left is the healthy portion of the leaf. This video shows the 3D OCT image of the healthy section.

Thorlabs offers a wide variety of OCT imaging systems, each with their own special set of specifications. To assist in narrowing down which OCT system(s) is best suited for your application, we have provided the guide below. This information is intended only as a guide. We encourage you to contact us to discuss your specific imaging requirements.

*Actual Frame Rate is dependent on processing and display parameters
**Depth Resolution and actual imaging depth are dependent on the optical properties of the sample being imaged.