Commun Eng. 2024 Sep 2;3(1):122. doi: 10.1038/s44172-024-00264-7.

ABSTRACT

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be used to image microstructures of human kidneys. However, current OCT probes exhibit inadequate field-of-view, leading to potentially biased kidney assessment. Here we present a robotic OCT system where the probe is integrated to a robot manipulator, enabling wider area (covers an area of 106.39 mm by 37.70 mm) spatially-resolved imaging. Our system comprehensively scans the kidney surface at the optimal altitude with preoperative path planning and OCT image-based feedback control scheme. It further parameterizes and visualizes microstructures of large area. We verified the system positioning accuracy on a phantom as 0.0762 ± 0.0727 mm and showed the clinical feasibility by scanning ex vivo kidneys. The parameterization reveals vasculatures beneath the kidney surface. Quantification on the proximal convoluted tubule of a human kidney yields clinical-relevant information. The system promises to assess kidney viability for transplantation after collecting a vast amount of whole-organ parameterization and patient outcomes data.

PMID:39223332 | PMC:PMC11368928 | DOI:10.1038/s44172-024-00264-7