Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging System and Method

A method of reducing the data transfer load from a DAQ device to computer memory, the DAQ device running at any sampling frequency supported by DAQ device's internal clock circuits to convert the input analog signals to digital data points, the method comprising:

• loading a digital record that can be dynamically modified to the DAQ device to trigger the data acquisition processes of the DAQ device;
• processing in the DAQ device only the data points that are related to the loaded digital record
• transferring the processed data points to a computer memory, wherein
• the digital record is generated by one of:
• the DAQ device processing the input signals to the DAQ device, by computer software processing the data points from input channels to the DAQ device, and by computer software loading a pre-saved copy from a memory device to the DAQ device.

A method of improving the images quality in an OCT imaging system without compromising system imaging speed, comprising:

• over-sampling OCT signals and frequency clock signals at frequency higher than required to fulfill the Nyquist sampling criterion;
• digital signal processing the over sampled data points;
• reducing the processed, oversampled data points;
• and
• constructing an image from the reduced data points

A system for optical imaging of samples with multiple imaging channels, by using multiple stages of routers to multiplex a plurality of OCT imaging channels with one light source into one system, the system acquiring image data from multiple points on a sample or from multiple samples, and the image data acquisition is triggered by the frequency clock signals of the light sources used in the system, the system comprising:

• an optical radiation source;
• a frequency clock module that outputs frequency clock signals of the source;
• a plurality of optical interferometer modules;
• a first stage of routers distributing the output power of the source to the plurality of optical interferometer modules;
• a second stage of routers to distribute the output of the plurality of optical interferometer modules to the data acquisition (DAQ) system;
• a DAQ system capable of acquiring data from multiple channels, with the data acquisition process triggered by the frequency clock signals;
• and
• a computer controlling the DAQ system, processing the data and constructing multiple dimensional images of the sample for every imaging channel.