Imaging the Internal Structure of the Guinea Pig Cochlea using Optical Coherence Tomography at 1310 nm.

摘要

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to obtain cross sectional images of the internal structure of the cochlea in guinea pigs following sacrifice. The 1310 nm source (bandwidth lambda=75 nm) allowed a penetration depth of approximately 1.5 mm. Cross-sectional images (1.87 x 2.00 mm, 10 x 10 mum/pixel) were acquired at a frame rate of 1 Hz. Access to the middle ear space was obtained by removing the mastoid bulla. Imaging was performed in situ and also in ex vivo temporal bones. The scala vestibuli, scala media, scala tympani, modiolus and all four and a half turns of the cochlea were identified. These images demonstrate the potential value of OCT for use in determining the internal structures of the cochlea with near-microscopic resolution and at near-real time frame rates.