We describe the design and performance of a long coherence length, swept-source anatomical OCT (aOCT) system for pediatric airway imaging. A fiber-optic catheter is designed to be accommodated by a small-bore bronchoscope, and is scanned distally in a helical scan pattern to provide aOCT during bronchoscopy. We discuss particular challenges associated with the need for large imaging range, low SNR roll-off, and small catheter diameter. We present 3-D visualizations of airway phantoms and discuss optimization of the airway surface geometry obtained by aOCT. Accurate reconstruction of airway geometry will enable predictive modeling of patients suffering from airway obstruction.
Keywords: 3D Image Rendering; Anatomical Optical Coherence Tomography; Digital Dispersion Compensation; Mach-Zehnder Fiber-Optic Interferometer; Pediatric Airway Imaging; Signal to Noise Ratio.