Full-field optical coherence tomography using a fibre imaging bundle

An imaging fibre bundle is demonstrated for spatially-multiplexed probe beam delivery in OCT, with the aim of eliminating the mechanical scanning currently required at the probe tip in endoscopic systems. Each fibre in the bundle addresses a Fizeau interferometer formed between the bundle end and the sample, allowing acquisition of information across a plane with a single measurement. Depth scanning components are now contained within a processing interferometer external to the completely passive endoscope probe. The technique has been evaluated in our laboratory for non-biological samples. Images acquired using the bundle-based system are presented. The potential of the system is assessed, with reference to SNR performance and acquisition speed.