What is LightLab OCT?
Extreme Resolution™: Fast and easy Intravascular Imaging
LightLab Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is the Extreme Resolution imaging technology for cardiovascular disease diagnosis. LightLab OCT utilizes near-infrared light to create images with 10 times the resolution of Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). The proprietary LightLab OCT interferometer analyzes reflected light waves to create our extreme resolution Golden Image™ for enhanced diagnosis and treatment decisions.
The bandwidths of infrared light utilized for OCT are far higher than ultrasound, resulting in greatly increased image resolution. In fact, LightLab OCT provides intravascular images with 15 µm axial resolution, about twice the size of a red blood cell. Despite providing this extreme resolution LightLab OCT is a radiation-free* imaging medium.
Time Domain compared with Frequency Domain OCT
When first introduced, conventional Optical Coherence Tomography, also known as Time Domain OCT (TD-OCT), created an image by sending the focused near-infrared light into the tissue. The light reflected back from the tissue was measured by combining with a reference beam; only coherent reflections from the tissue combine with the reference beam to create the image. The light is then scanned further into the tissue by adjusting a small mirror on the reference beam to correlate the coherence with a deeper depth in the sample. The limitation of TD-OCT is that the moving reference mirror limits image acquisition speed.
LightLab FD-OCT™ or Frequency Domain OCT represents a quantum leap in intravascular imaging technology. Instead of slowly analyzing the tissue point-by-point, FD-OCT simultaneously analyzes thousands of data points at remarkable speeds by scanning through the bandwidth of near-infrared wavelengths instead of moving the reference mirror. LightLab FD-OCT imaging is so detailed and fast that a single 50 mm long coronary artery scan generates over 100,000,000 bytes of data in less than 5 seconds. This far exceeds the resolution of so called “high definition” imaging platforms.
Advantages of LightLab FD-OCT include
• Extreme Resolution: LightLab FD-OCT systems have up to 25 times greater resolution than high frequency ultrasound (4-20 µm compared to 110 µm). These Golden Images provide previously unavailable data for more confident treatment decisions.
• Tissue Characterization: By analyzing information from the reflected light, FD-OCT can display the composition of lesions. Knowing lesion composition may change treatment plans and develop new approaches to coronary disease management.
• Fast and Easy: The C7 Dragonfly™ monorail catheter allows fast and easy deployment with standard 0.014” steerable guide wires, and 6 Fr. guiding catheters.
• Real Time Imaging: A complete imaging scan is performed in under five seconds so vessel occlusion is not required and the images are immediately available for review.
