Yu Liu

Expert in optical devices, systems, image processing, and algorithm development. I specialize in the design and optimization of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for cardiovascular and ophthalmology imaging, as well as 3D image reconstruction. Through my work, St. Jude Medical acquired LightLab for $90 million; my later work as CTO at Argus Scientific was acquired by MicroPort in a $100 million deal. Most recently, I worked at Bolt Medical on laser lithotripsy systems that was later acquired by Boston Scientific in a $700 million in January of 2025. Over 100 scientific papers published and 12 patents.

Skills: Lens design, spectrometers, imaging systems, fiber polish, GRIN and ball lenses, data acquisition, LabVIEW, TestStand, MATLAB, Python, C/C+ openGL, QT, CUDA FFT, GPU-based image processing, Zemax for optical simulations, Solidworks for mechanical design, and Arduino for stepper motor control.

Principal Imaging Software Engineer – Horizon Surgical Systems– Malibu, CA | 12/2024-present

· Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) ophthalmology imaging for surgical robot utilizing DAQ data acquisition, scanners, CUDA FFT, GPU, C/C++ openGL, and QT GUI.

· C/C++ QT programming for control optical components.

Principal LabVIEW Engineer – MKS – Irvine, CA | 8/2023-7/2024

· Designed and implemented an optical system for measuring lens dispersion, aberration, and system performance.

· Developed LabVIEW-based data acquisition system and algorithms for automatic laser power search and stabilization.

Principal Optical Engineer – Biolase Inc. – Foothill Ranch, CA | 6/2022-6/2023

· Designed and implemented a cutting-edge lens grinding system and automation algorithm for fabrication of catheters for oral treatment.

· Developed control box to precisely move grinding devices to 1 um accuracy

Principal Optical Engineer – Bolt Medical Inc. – Carlsbad, CA | 10/2019-5/2022

· Designed and implemented laser shockwave systems and catheters for medical applications.

· Developed lens grinding system and algorithm for polishing automation.

· Designed and implemented imaging, autofocusing, scanning systems, and algorithms using stepper motors, USB cameras, 3D printing and LabView Arduino programming.

CTO, Principal Optical Engineer – Argus Scientific Corp., Irvine, CA | 07/2017 – 5/2019

· Led a team and designed commercial cardiovascular OCT imaging systems and catheters for production.

· Developed OCT imaging software and algorithm for plaque, tissue, blood vessel recognition

Principal Optical Engineer – Varocto Inc. – Orange, CA | 02/2016 – 6/2017

· Designed and developed an OCT imaging system for retinal imaging.

· Developed 3D imaging reconstruction and algorithm for tissue and blood vessel recognition.

Principal Optical Engineer – St. Jude Medical, Irvine, CA | 12/2008 – 12/2015

· Built a new optical lab, designed and developed an optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems and catheters for cardiovascular imaging.

· Developed cost-effective and high-resolution OCT catheters by designing and implementing a new type of fiber GRIN lenses and fiber ball lenses.

PhD, Photonics, Aston University