Visualization systems and methods for optimized optical coherence tomography

A visualization system comprising:

• an OCT system comprising
• an OCT source operable to generate an OCT source beam;
• an OCT beam splitter operable to split the OCT source beam into a sample beam that travels along a sample arm until it is reflected by a sample to form a reflected sample beam, and a reference beam that travels along a reference arm until it is reflected by a reference mirror in the OCT system to form a reflected reference beam, and operable to combine the reflected sample beam and the reflected reference beam to form a reflected OCT beam;
• and
• an OCT detector operable to receive the reflected OCT beam and operable to detect an interference pattern of the reflected OCT beam;
• a surgical microscope;
• a dichroic mirror operable to allow non-OCT light to substantially pass through and operable to reflect the sample beam;
• and
• a visualization beam splitter operable to direct non-OCT light into both the surgical microscope and;
• an autofocus imager, the autofocus imager operable to:
• receive non-OCT light reflected by the sample that has passed through the dichroic mirror and has been directed by the visualization beam splitter to the autofocus imager, and
• use the non-OCT light reflected by the sample to optimize the focus of the autofocus imager on the sample by adjusting an autofocus imager lens, and
• generate data relating to a position and a focal length of the autofocus imager lens;
• and
• a processor operable to:
• determine a change in distance between the dichroic mirror and the sample using the data relating to the position and the focal length of the autofocus imager lens;
• determine a change in the length of the sample arm using the change in distance between the dichroic mirror and the sample;
• generate a control signal operable to optimize the OCT system by adjusting the length of the reference arm or the focus of the sample arm;
• and
• transmit the control signal to the OCT system.