Medical Diagnostics

Products | Gratings:  This web page has a complete listing of high performance gratings we make along links to graphs of S & P diffraction efficiencies, dispersion, Bragg Angle sensitivity, and PDL where applicable.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an exciting technique to achieve high-resolution, three-dimensional, in vivo images of human tissue. OCT provides excellent spatial resolution (1-10 micrometers), which is two orders of magnitude better than ultrasound.  Techniques are generally non-invasive or minimally invasive alternatives and do not use ionizing radiation.

OCT is based on optical technology and commercially available fiberoptic components adapted for medical applications and, in essence, create optical biopsies.  Uses include early detection of glaucoma, characterization of cancers and skin tumors, and cardiology.  Leading universities and companies are developing and licensing clever implementations of this technology.

October 2003

Photonics Spectra Magazine: Accents on Applications
"Grating Shrinks Endoscope": Pages 37 & 38
by Brent Johnson
Excerpt: Endoscopes provide high-resolution color images in real time for a range of medical applications.

July 2003

BioPhotonics Magazine:
"Confocal Endoscopes Screen for Abnormal Cells": Pages 52-54
by Nancy D. Lamontagne
Researchers are developing confocal endoscopes that hold
the potential to screen for cancer without a biopsy.
For more information, or to request a copy of this issue, contact biophotonics@laurin.com.

January 2003

Optics Express (OSA):
"A GRISM-based probe for spectrally encoded confocal microscopy": Pages 120-124
by C Pitris, B.E. Bouma, M. Shiskov, G. Tearney
Abstract: Spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (SECM) is a novel approach for obtaining high resolution, depth-sectioned images of microstructure within turbid samples.  By encoding one dimension in wavelength, imaging probes can be greatly simplified compared to standard scanning confocal microscopes, potentially enabling endocscopic implementation.

A good reference book on OCT is:

Handbook of Optical Coherence Tomography by Brett E. Bouma and Guillermo J. Tearney

About Wasatch Photonics

Founded in 2000, Wasatch Photonics, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets enhanced holographic optics for optical networking, defense, test & measurement, and medical applications. Wasatch Photonics' high performance volume phase holographic platforms enable a diverse range of cost effective, next generation devices.  The company uses proprietary recording media and patented Dickson® grating technologies.