Fossilized Teeth as a New Robust and Reproducible Standard for Polarization-Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography

A clinical need exists for a cheap and efficient standard for polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). We utilize prehistoric fossilized teeth from the Megalodon shark and European horse as an unconventional, yet robust standard. Given their easy accessibility and the microstructural consistency conferred by the process of fossilization, they provide a means of calibration to reduce error from sources such as catheter bending and temperature changes. We tested the maximum difference in birefringence values in each tooth and found the fossilized teeth to be fast and repeatable. The results were compared to measurements from bovine meniscus, tendon, and destroyed tendon, which were verified with histology.