Significance: Photothermal optical coherence tomography (PT-OCT) has the promise to offer structural images coregistered with chemical composition information, which can offer a significant impact in early detection of diseases such as atherosclerosis. Aim: We take the first step in understanding the relation between PT-OCT signals and the endogenous tissue composition by considering the interplay between the opto-thermo-physical properties of tissue as a function of its lipid composition and the ensuing effects on the PT-OCT signals. Approach: Multiparameter theoretical estimates for PT-OCT signal as a function of composition in a two-component lipid–water model are derived and discussed. Experimental data from various concentrations of lipid in the form of droplets and injections under bovine cardiac muscle align with theoretical predictions. Results: Theoretical and experimental results suggest that the variations of heat capacity and mass density with tissue composition significantly contribute to the amount of optical path length difference measured by OCT phase. Conclusion: PT-OCT has the potential to offer key insights into the chemical composition of the subsurface lipid pools in tissue; however, the interpretation of results needs to be carried out by keeping the nonlinear interplay between the tissue of opto-thermo-physical properties and PT-OCT signals in mind.

中文翻译：

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脂质成分对光热光学相干断层扫描信号的影响

意义：光热光学相干断层扫描 (PT-OCT) 有望提供与化学成分信息相配准的结构图像，这可以对动脉粥样硬化等疾病的早期检测产生重大影响。目的：我们通过考虑作为其脂质成分函数的组织的光热物理特性之间的相互作用以及对 PT- 的后续影响之间的相互作用，迈出了了解 PT-OCT 信号与内源性组织成分之间关系的第一步。华侨城信号。方法：推导并讨论了 PT-OCT 信号的多参数理论估计值作为双组分脂水模型中成分的函数。来自不同浓度脂质的实验数据以液滴和注射形式在牛心肌下与理论预测一致。结果：理论和实验结果表明，热容和质量密度随组织成分的变化显着影响了 OCT 相位测量的光程差量。结论：PT-OCT 有可能为了解组织中亚表面脂质池的化学成分提供关键见解；然而，结果的解释需要通过牢记光热物理特性组织和 PT-OCT 信号之间的非线性相互作用来进行。PT-OCT 有可能提供对组织中亚表面脂质池化学成分的关键见解；然而，结果的解释需要通过牢记光热物理特性组织和 PT-OCT 信号之间的非线性相互作用来进行。PT-OCT 有可能提供对组织中亚表面脂质池化学成分的关键见解；然而，结果的解释需要通过牢记光热物理特性组织和 PT-OCT 信号之间的非线性相互作用来进行。