These guidelines are designed to protect and optimize the use of the OCT (optical coherence tomography) imaging system.

General:
The OCT system is located in room 599J and is open for use to CORE members. A sign-up sheet will be available for people on the door of this room. Anyone wishing to use this instrument must be trained by one of their lab members who attended the training session, and will be shadowed by the BCC (Biology CORE Coordinator) once working alone to ensure that they have adequate knowledge concerning the use and care of the instrumentation.

Each lab has a CD with a copy of the OCT Presto software. Feel free to install this program on your labs’ computers. It will run on any computer running Windows 98 or later systems. (A manual of software operation is also on the CD.)

Maintenance:
Always cover the equipment when not in use. Dust on the mirrors and/or lenses will reduce the quality of the images obtained. The slightest fingerprint, scratch, or mark CAN DESTROY THE MIRROR AND RENDER THE INSTRUMENT INOPERABLE. If there is dust on the mirror or lenses, USE ONLY CANNED-AIR DUSTERS TO REMOVE IT. Supplies are stored with the instrument. Canned-air dusters are provided by CORE; if you are using the last of the supplies, please notify the BCC.

Adjusting the instrument:

There are two knobs to turn to optimize your image (see diagram below). For adjusting alignment and depth, move ONLY ONE KNOB AT A TIME and NEVER turn knobs whose function you do not know! If your image is lost during optimization, turn THE SAME KNOB whose adjustment caused you to lose your image in the OPPOSITE direction until you can see your image again. THEN, try adjusting the second knob.

Saving images:
Once scanning is complete, click FileàSave (or the Save button on the toolbar). When the Save Tomogram dialog box appears, fill out the Patient Name, Comment, File Name, and specify the path of the tomogram to be saved.

Microscope Use:
The UV microscope that is located in the surgery room next to the OCT system can be in operation at the exact same time as the OCT. If the UV is needed to be turned on, it is important to TURN OFF THE OCT POWER SOURCE, and then turn on the UV light source, wait several seconds, and then re-start the OCT power source. This is to avoid any potential power surges that may occur, damaging either instrument.