Optical coherence tomographic imager, optical coherence tomographic imaging method, and program

An optical coherence tomographic imaging method, comprising:

• providing an optical coherence tomographic imager that comprises:
• a wavelength-tunable light source whose output light wavelength is determined by a plurality of light source drive parameters;
• a splitter that branches output light of the wavelength-tunable light source into object light and reference light;
• an irradiation optical system that irradiates an object to be measured with the object light;
• a two-input balanced light receiver that obtains interference light intensity measurement values by causing object light scattered from the object to be measured and the reference light to interfere with each other and to be guided to a light receiver;
• a processor configured to reorder the interference light intensity measurement values based on the output light wavelengths;
• and
• a memory, in circuit communication with the processor, that stores a corresponding relationship between light source drive parameters and optical source output light wavelength setting values for the wavelength-tunable light source;
• the method further comprising:
• by the processor, performing:
• obtaining the interference light intensity measurement values;
• generating a first corresponding relationship between (W) the optical source output light wavelength setting values and (I) the interference light intensity measurement values from
• a second corresponding relationship which is not a monotonic change between (W) the optical source output light wavelength setting values and (T) a time at which they are sent from the memory, the second corresponding relationship being not a monotonic change, and
• a third corresponding relationship between (T) a time and II) the interference light intensity measurement values;
• and
• reordering the interference light intensity measurement values in an ascending order or a descending order of the optical source output light wavelength setting values.

A computer-readable non-transitory recording medium that stores a program, the program causing a computer to execute processing, the computer being mounted on an optical coherence tomographic imager comprising:

• a wavelength-tunable light source whose output light wavelength is determined by a plurality of light source drive parameters;
• a splitter that branches output light of the wavelength-tunable light source into object light and reference light;
• an irradiation optical system that irradiates an object to be measured with the object light;
• a two-input balanced light receiver that obtains interference light intensity measurement values by causing object light scattered from the object to be measured and the reference light to interfere with each other and to be guided to a light receiver;
• wherein the computer comprises:
• at least a processor;
• and
• a memory in circuit communication with the processor;
• wherein the program causes the processor to reorder the interference light intensity measurement values based on the output light wavelengths;
• and
• wherein the memory stores a corresponding relationship between light source drive parameters and optical source output light wavelength setting values for the wavelength-tunable light source;
• and
• wherein the program causes the processor to:
• obtain the interference light intensity measurement values;
• generate
• a first corresponding relationship between (W) the optical source output light wavelength setting values and (I) the interference light intensity measurement values from
• a second corresponding relationship between (W) the optical source output light wavelength setting values and (T) a time at which they are sent from the memory, the second corresponding relationship being not a monotonic change, and
• a third corresponding relationship between (T) a time and (I) the interference light intensity measurement values;
• and
• reorder the interference light intensity measurement values in an ascending order or a descending order of the optical source output light wavelength setting values.