In the last fifteen years, a great deal of effort has been put forth, worldwide, for investigating and enhancing various aspects of optical coherence tomography (OCT). This thesis begins with a description of the technique of OCT, and an analysis of its underlying theory. The design and construction of an OCT system is described, with particular emphasis on a novel delay scanning method, and novel signal processing. Application of OCT to non-destructive characterisation of seeds, examination of skin lesions, measurement of fluid flow, and refractive index determination, are then demonstrated. Two technological enhancements to OCT are presented in this thesis. The first, an extended-range Fourier domain optical delay line (FDODL), extends the scan range of the traditional FDODL by a factor of almost 9, by scanning the galvanometer mirror around the region of zero tilt-angle. Polarisation optics are used to prevent light coupling back into the interferometer after only a single pass through the FDODL. A non-coplanar version of the FDODL is also presented, which overcomes the losses associated with the polarisation-based design, but trades off scan range to do so. Both versions of FDODL demonstrated excellent linearity and scan uniformity. The second technology presented here, bifocal optical coherence refractometry (BOCR), affords OCT the ability to measure refractive indices within turbid media. It achieves this by generating two confocal gates within the sample. From knowledge of the system parameters, and measurements of the confocal gate separation, the refractive index within the medium is evaluated to within ±0.01. Refractive index mapping is then demonstrated in a number of turbid samples. Three other applications of OCT are also demonstrated in this thesis. The first is the use of OCT to measure full thickness in lupin seeds. Although OCT could not penetrate the entire thickness of the hull, it is demonstrated that the variation in thickness of the two layers observed with OCT, explained 81% of the variation in thickness of the entire hull measured under a SEM. OCT was then applied, for what is believed to be the first time, in a large scale seed screening program. The second application is a preliminary investigation of the suitability of OCT to aid in the diagnosis of skin lesions. Although our system did not possess sufficient positioning accuracy to enable a direct one-to-one comparison between OCT and histology, a number of correspondences between OCT and histology images were demonstrated. The final application of OCT demonstrated here is a novel phase-locked-loop based demodulation scheme, to perform Doppler OCT. This demodulation scheme demonstrated a dynamic range of 98dB, a velocity range of ±20mm/s, and velocity resolution of 0.5mm/s. Using this system, laminar flow was demonstrated in milk flowing through a capillary tube.

[Truncated abstract] This thesis describes the development, clinical validation and initial application of a technique for taking measurements of the shape and dimensions of the human upper airway, called anatomical optical coherence tomography (aOCT). The technique uses a transparent catheter containing a rotating optical probe which is introduced transnasally and positioned in the airway and oesophagus. Optical coherence tomography is used to take calibrated cross-sectional images of the airway lumen as the probe rotates. The probe can also be advanced or withdrawn within the catheter during scanning to build up three-dimensional information. The catheter remains stationary so that the subject is not aware of the probe motion. The initial application of the system is research into obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a serious condition characterized by repetitive collapse of the upper airway during sleep and an independent risk factor for deaths by heart disease, strokes or car accidents. Measurement of upper airway size and shape is important for the investigation of the pathophysiology of OSA, and for the development and assesment of new treatments. . . We have used aOCT to capture three-dimensional data sets of the airway shape from upper oesophagus to the nasal cavity, undertaken measurements of compliance and other airway characteristics, and recorded dynamic airway shape during confirmed sleep apnoea events in a hospital sleep laboratory. We have shown that aOCT generates quantitative, real-time measurements of upper airway size and shape, allowing study over lengthy periods during both sleep and wakefulness. These features should make it useful for study of upper airway behavior to investigate OSA pathophysiology, and aid clinical management and treatment development.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Univ., 2006. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [112]-124).

Thesis (doctoral)--Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 1988. / Extra t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

The mesial root of Mandibular Molars (MM) of the permanent dentition shows marked mesial-distal flattening and, near to furcation region, a major concavity on its distal surface, determining the so called danger zone (DZ). This is liable to strip perforation on endodontic preparation. Several methodologies reported in literature are used to measure the DZ. The multislice computed tomography (MSCT) allows an evaluation through the 3D reconstruction with high doses of radiations. Until now, no study has analyzed the DZ of MM through the MSCT with low radiation dose. This study evaluated, in vitro, the smaller measure of DZ in the mesial root of MI at levels 1 to 5 millimeters of furcation, with an interval of 1 millimeter between them, using 3D reconstructions obtained by MSCT with low radiation dose (DentalCT protocol - CTdBem). Thirty three MM extracted of humans were used, scanned in CT scanner with subsequently acquisition of 3D image of each tooth though specific software, in which the measures were made. The averages of the smallest measures in millimeters in each level were (first value of the root wall of the mesiobuccal canal) and the second mesiolingual canal): level 1 - N1 (0,79 and 0,83), N2 (0,75 and 0,76), N3 (0,72 and 0,73), N4 (0,75 and 0,74) and N5 (0,82 and 0,73). By the Friedman test (p <0.003), it was confirmed significant difference in root thickness between the 5 levels only for the root wall of mesiolingual canal. By Wilcoxon Test, it was confirmed that the measurement at N1 presented significantly thicker measure than in the remainder 4 levels (p<0,014). In conclusion, 3D reconstructions obtained by MSCT with low radiation dose were proper to the acquisition of virtual images, as well as the analysis of DZ in mesial roots of MM, through a specific program, which were carried out in an efficient and automated way, with no error of demarcation of dental measurable limits, being liable to in vivo and in vitro studies. The results obtained in this study are in accord with the current literature. / A raiz mesial de molares inferiores (MI) da dentição permanente apresenta achatamento mésio-distal acentuado e, na região próxima à furca, uma concavidade maior em sua superfície distal, determinando a chamada zona de risco (ZR). Esta é passível de perfuração em forma de rasgo nos preparos endodônticos. Diversas metodologias apresentadas na literatura são utilizadas para medir esta ZR. A tomografia computadorizada multislice (TCMS) permite uma avaliação através de reconstruções 3D com doses elevadas de radiação. Até o momento, nenhum estudo analisou a ZR de MI através da TCMS com baixa dose de radiação. Este estudo avaliou, in vitro, as menores medidas da ZR da raiz mesial de MI nos níveis 1 a 5 milímetros da furca, com intervalo de 1 milímetro entre eles, utilizando reconstruções 3D obtidas através de TCMS com baixa dose de radiação (protocolo DentalCT CTdBem). Trinta e três MI extraídos de humanos foram usados, escaneados em tomógrafo com posterior aquisição de imagem 3D de cada dente através de software específico, no qual foram realizadas as medidas. As médias das menores medidas em milímetros em cada nível foram (primeiro valor da parede radicular do canal mésio-vestibular e o segundo do canal mésio-lingual): nível 1 - N1 (0,79 e 0,83), N2 (0,75 e 0,76), N3 (0,72 e 0,73), N4 (0,75 e 0,74) e N5 (0,82 e 0,73). Pelo Teste de Friedman (p < 0,003), foi confirmado que houve diferença na espessura radicular entre os 5 níveis somente da parede radicular do canal mésio-lingual. Pelo Teste de Wilcoxon, foi confirmado que a mensuração no N1 apresentou significativamente maior medida que nos restantes 4 níveis (p<0,014). Concluiu-se que as reconstruções 3D obtidas através de TCMS com baixa dose de radiação foram adequadas para a aquisição das imagens virtuais, assim como as análises da ZR da raiz mesial de MI, através de programa específico, que foram realizadas de maneira eficiente e automatizada, sem erro de demarcação dos limites dentais mensuráveis, sendo passível para estudos in vivo e in vitro. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo estão de acordo com a literatura atual.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:42:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:02:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP / FAPESP:09/13764-3

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:55:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:05:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:34:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:06:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP / FAPESP:09/07417-9

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the MTech Degree in Mechanical Engineering 2012 / Flow features provide considerable guidance for the rational selection of techniques to predict hydraulic behaviour and for suitable operating conditions for pipelines. Traditionally, water was used to transport coarse particles, and it was necessary to operate at velocities at which the flow was turbulent in order to avoid blockage. Consequently the friction losses were too high for economic operation. In addition, wear on pipes, fittings and pumps presented serious problems. Nowadays, it is well established that it is possible to operate at very high solids concentration in a heavy vehicle (carrier fluid). Similar solids throughputs may be achieved at very much lower velocities by operating in the laminar flow regime. This results not only in lower power requirement, but it also reduces wear and water consumption. In spite of these potential benefits, only a few studies dealing with the transport of coarse particles in heavy media have been reported. Since the distinction between different flow patterns is of paramount importance for modelling purposes, as equations are flow pattern dependent, and given the importance of avoiding excessive wear of pipes at low and high velocities, the present work was carried out in the context of dense or non-Newtonian carrier fluid. This project comprised analysis of existing data acquired at the Flow Process and Rheology Centre of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Kaolin in the range of 6% to 15% volumetric concentration was used as a carrier fluid and coarse material in the range of 10% to 30% volumetric concentration was simulated by silica sand ranging in size from 1 mm to 3 mm. For the purpose of this study flow patterns derived from resistance curves for various mixtures, particle concentrations, particle grading and flow conditions were compared with “concentration profiles” and images obtained from electrical resistance tomography (ERT). It appeared from this work that the sand concentration does not change the flow pattern but increases or reduces the pressure gradients depending on the case. The concentration of kaolin carrier can change the flow patterns from layered to homogeneous flow, inducing an increase in total pressure gradients as it increases. Flow patterns obtained from ERT compared reasonably well with those derived from pressure gradients profiles. The transition velocities from layered to heterogeneous flow obtained from both methods were similar, especially for low and moderate carrier concentrations. As the kaolin carrier concentration or as the sand concentration increased it became more difficult to distinguish the transition velocity between heterogeneous and layered flow. More work is still needed to improve the ERT instrument and its image reconstruction software.