Optical biopsy of vocal folds during phonation using parallel OCT (Conference Presentation)

We demonstrate optical biopsy of vocal folds to assess its surface and subsurface movement during phonation on ex-vivo calf larynx using parallel OCT (POCT). In this technique, we will enable simultaneous interrogation of multiple locations along the vocal fold, there by eliminating motion-blur artifacts exhibited by the sequential sampling provided by conventional flying-spot OCT. Currently, in voice clinics, laryngologists and speech-language pathologists rely heavily on Video Stroboscopy (VS) coupling with, visual judgments of vocal fold morphology and auditory perceptions of voice quality, to make effective diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic decisions. There is a constant need of an endoscopic imaging tool in voice clinics that can directly capture the three-dimensional (3D) surface motion of the vocal folds in real time as patients phonate. To address the need, we will present a POCT/VS imager that will combine parallel swept source OCT technique with VS to provide a real time display of the vocal folds in all three axial dimensions during phonation. The results will yield cross sections (B-Scans) with ~16 co-linear sampling locations spread over ~5mm on a phonating ex-vivo calf larynx showing fluid periodic cyclic motion of the vocal folds (~A-scan rate) in real time enabled by POCT approach. We will also capture VS images in sync with POCT B-scans validating the real time cross sectional probing of POCT/VS imager.