Measurement of the biomechanics of eye tissue via blinking stimulation

Abstract

Certain aspects of this disclosure provide a system and method for measuring ocular tissue biomechanics via blinking stimuli. In certain embodiments, the method may be performed by a computer communicating with an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device. The method includes monitoring movement relative to a patient's eye via one or more images from a camera. The method also includes detecting blinks of the patient's eye in response to the monitoring. The method also includes recording data resulting from a scan of at least a portion of the eye tissue by the OCT device in response to the detected blink. The method also includes measuring the tissue response to the detected blink based on the recorded data from the scan.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Cross-Reference to Related Applications This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 582,290 filed on September 13, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Preamble Tissue biomechanics, such as corneal biomechanics, can play an important role in the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of ocular diseases including glaucoma, keratoconus, and ectasia. However, measurement of biomechanics typically requires external stimulation to the patient's eye.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0003] The present disclosure relates to diagnostic systems and methods, and in particular, to systems and methods for measuring the biomechanics of ocular tissue via blink stimulation.

[0004] In certain embodiments, one general aspect includes a method of measuring biomechanics of ocular tissue via blink stimulation. The method may be executed by a computer in communication with an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device. The method includes monitoring movement relative to the patient's eye via one or more images from a camera. The method also includes detecting a blink of the patient's eye in response to the monitoring. The method also includes recording data resulting from a scan of at least a portion of the ocular tissue by the OCT device in response to the detected blink. The method also includes measuring a tissue response to the detected blink based on the recorded data from the scan.

[0005] In certain embodiments, another general aspect includes a system for measuring the biomechanics of ocular tissue via blinking stimuli. The system includes an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device. The system also includes a first camera operable to provide one or more images of a patient's eye. The system also includes a computer communicatively coupled to the OCT device and the first camera, the computer operable to monitor movement relative to the patient's eye via one or more images from the first camera. The computer is also operable to detect blinks of the patient's eye in response to monitoring. The computer is also operable to record data resulting from a scan of at least a portion of the ocular tissue by the OCT device in response to detected blinks. The computer is also operable to measure the tissue response to detected blinks based on the recorded data from the scans.

[0006] In certain embodiments, another general aspect includes a computer program product. This computer program product comprises a non-temporary computer-readable medium having embedded computer-readable program code, which is adapted to be executed to perform the method. The method includes monitoring movement of a patient's eyes via one or more images from a camera. The method also includes detecting blinks of the patient's eyes in response to monitoring. The method also includes recording, in response to detected blinks, data resulting from a scan of at least a portion of the tissue of the eye using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device. The method also includes measuring the tissue response to the detected blink based on the recorded data from the scan.

[0007] To enable a more detailed understanding of the above-mentioned features of this disclosure, a more specific description of this disclosure, which is briefly summarized above, can be obtained by referring to embodiments, some of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings show only exemplary embodiments and should not be considered to limit their scope, as other equally valid embodiments may be recognized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1A] Figure 1A shows an example configuration of an ophthalmic diagnostic system according to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] Figure 1B shows the configuration of another example of an ophthalmic diagnostic system according to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram of various components of the ophthalmic diagnostic system shown in Figures 1A and 1B, according to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of an ophthalmic diagnostic system according to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a process for measuring corneal biomechanics via blinking stimulation according to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a process for measuring corneal biomechanics via blinking stimuli in a multi-camera system, according to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals are used to indicate identical elements common to the drawings whenever possible. It is assumed that elements and features of one embodiment can be usefully incorporated into other embodiments without further detail.

[0010] For the purpose of facilitating understanding of the principles of this disclosure, implementations shown in the drawings are referred to and described using specific language. However, it should be understood that this does not limit the scope of this disclosure in any way. Any substitutions and further modifications to the systems, apparatus, devices, and methods described, as well as any further applications of the principles of this disclosure, are fully considered in a manner that would ordinarily occur to a person skilled in the art, in particular, that features, components, and / or steps described in relation to one implementation may be combined with features, components, and / or steps described in relation to other embeddings of this disclosure. For simplification, in some cases, the same reference numeral is used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0011] Ocular biomechanics, including corneal biomechanics such as corneal stiffness, can play a crucial role in understanding, diagnosing, and treating diseases such as glaucoma, keratoconus, and diastema. Detailed clinical evaluation of corneal biomechanics has the potential to revolutionize the ophthalmology industry, for example, by enabling personalized LASIK (laser-assisted corneal reshaping) and cataract surgery.

[0012] One method for measuring corneal biomechanics involves capturing the corneal response to external forces. For example, to measure corneal stiffness, a device may apply a high-pressure air pulse to induce a large corneal displacement (e.g., greater than 2 mm). However, large corneal displacements typically have significant nonlinear components that can prevent the device from accurately measuring corneal stiffness. In addition, the amplitude of corneal deformation is affected by the stability of the air pulse source.

[0013] This disclosure describes an example of measuring corneal biomechanics via blinking stimulation. The blinking process generally involves eyelid movement, specifically rapid opening and closing of the eyelids. In this way, pressure can be generated on the corneal surface of the eye by relying on the eyelid movement associated with blinking. In various embodiments, it is recognized herein that the pressure generated by blinking is high enough to be used, for example, when generating measurements using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device. In particular, the pressure generated by blinking typically induces movement or vibration of the cornea of ​​the eye and, therefore, can be used in various embodiments as a stimulation method for measuring corneal biomechanics. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, since the pressure generated by blinking is a natural human process, no external stimulation device is required. Specific examples will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] This disclosure describes various examples of measuring corneal biomechanics for illustrative purposes. However, it should be recognized that similar principles are also applicable to measuring biomechanics in other parts and / or tissues of the eye.

[0015] Figures 1A, 1B, and 2 show an example of an ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 according to a particular embodiment. The ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 may be used for different types of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. For example, the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 may be used for the diagnosis or treatment of glaucoma, keratoconus, and / or diastema. In addition, or alternatively, the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 may be used to provide data for personalizing LASIK or cataract surgery.

[0016] Figure 1A shows the configuration 100A of the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10. In particular, Figure 1A shows the head 6 of a patient 42 lying on a bed 8. In the illustrated example, the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 includes one or more cameras 38 and a section 39 from which an imaging light beam can exit the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 and travel through a region 41 toward the patient 42.

[0017] Figure 1B shows configuration 100B of the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10. In configuration 100B, the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 is configured as a desktop imaging system in which the patient 42 is seated in a chair 9.

[0018] Referring to Figure 2, the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 includes an OCT device 15, one or more cameras 38, and a control computer 30, coupled as shown. The OCT device 15 includes controllable components such as an OCT engine 12, a scanner 16, one or more optical elements 17, and / or a focusing objective system 18, coupled as shown. The computer 30 includes logic 36, memory 32 (for storing computer programs 34), and a display 37, coupled as shown. For ease of explanation, the following xyz coordinate system is used: the z direction is defined by the propagation direction of the imaging light beam, and the xy plane is perpendicular to the propagation direction. Other suitable xyz coordinate systems may be used.

[0019] Referring specifically to the OCT device 15, the OCT engine 12 generates and emits an imaging light beam that is guided to the tissue of the patient's eye 22. For example, the imaging light beam may be guided onto the corneal surface of the eye 22. The scanner 16 directs the imaging light beam laterally and / or vertically. Laterally refers to the direction perpendicular to the beam propagation direction, i.e., the x, y directions. The scanner 16 may direct the imaging light beam laterally in any suitable way. For example, the scanner 16 may include a pair of galvanometer-operated scanner mirrors that can be tilted with respect to axes orthogonal to each other. As another example, the scanner 16 may include an electro-optic crystal that can electro-optically guide the imaging light beam.

[0020] The longitudinal direction means a direction parallel to the propagation direction of the imaging light beam, that is, the z-direction. The scanner 16 may direct the imaging light beam in the longitudinal direction by any appropriate method. For example, the scanner 16 may include a longitudinally adjustable lens, a variable refractive power lens, or a deformable mirror capable of controlling the z-position of the beam focus. The components of the scanner 16 may be arranged in any suitable manner along the beam path, for example in the same or different modular units.

[0021] One or more optical elements 17 direct the imaging light beam toward the focusing objective system 18. The optical element 17 can act on the imaging light beam (for example, transmit, reflect, refract, diffract, collimate, adjust, shape, condense, modulate, and / or otherwise act). Examples of optical elements include lenses, prisms, mirrors, diffractive optical elements (DOE), holographic optical elements (HOE), and spatial light modulators (SLM). In a specific example, the optical element 17 is a mirror or a dichroic mirror. The focusing objective system 18 focuses the imaging light beam toward a part of the eye 22, such as the corneal surface of the eye. In an example, the focusing objective system 18 is an objective lens, for example, an fθ objective lens.

[0022] The OCT engine 12 receives the return imaging light beam backscattered from the eye 22 along the direction opposite to the imaging light beam. The OCT engine 12 can be configured to generate one or more images to provide practical feedback for storage, as will be described in detail below. For example, in various embodiments, the OCT engine 12 is configured to perform interferometric analysis on the return imaging light beam to provide OCT data representing position-dependent structural characteristics of the eye 22, such as structural characteristics of the cornea of the eye. For example, the OCT engine 12 can be configured to provide OCT data representing an image of the cornea at or near the focal positions x, y, z, and to provide OCT data representing the position-dependent optical density n(x,y,z) of the cornea as well as the position-dependent mass density p(x,y,z) of the cornea.

[0023] While specific examples of the OCT device 15 have been described above, it should be duly appreciated that in various embodiments, the OCT device 15 can be configured to perform different types of OCT scans. In one example, in some embodiments, the OCT device 15 can be configured to perform an M-scan. In another example, the OCT device 15 can be configured to perform a B-scan. In yet another example, the OCT device 15 can be configured to perform an MB-scan. In still other examples, the OCT device 15 can be configured to perform a BM-scan. Other examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a detailed review of the present disclosure.

[0024] The one or more cameras 38 can continuously capture one or more images of the patient 42. For example, the one or more cameras 38 can be focused on the eye 22 for the purpose of tracking eyelid movement. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more cameras 38 can be focused on the head 6 of the patient 42 for the purpose of tracking head movement. In some embodiments, the one or more cameras 38 may include a first camera for tracking eyelid movement and a second camera for tracking head movement. Examples of the camera 38 include video, interferometers, thermal imaging, ultrasound, OCT, and eye-tracking cameras. The one or more cameras 38 transmit image data representing recorded images of the eye 22 and / or the head 6 to the computer 30. In some embodiments, the one or more cameras 38 may be an integral part of the OCT device 15, rather than being separate as shown in Figure 2.

[0025] The computer 30 controls the components of the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 according to the computer program 34. For example, the computer 30 controls the components (e.g., the OCT engine 12, the scanner 16, the optical elements 17, and / or the focusing objective system 18) to focus the imaging light beam of the OCT engine 12 to a desired position on the eye 22, such as a desired position on the corneal surface of the eye. The memory 32 stores information used by the computer 30. For example, the memory 32 may store images of the eye 22, OCT data, and / or other appropriate information, and the computer 30 may access information from the memory 32. In various embodiments, the computer program 34 and its functions, such as focusing the imaging light beam, can be instructed by a user, such as a medical professional.

[0026] In a particular embodiment, the computer 30 can measure the corneal biomechanics of the eye 22 using blinking as a stimulus. In a particular embodiment, the computer 30 monitors movement relative to the eye 22 via image data from one or more cameras 38. The computer 30 can detect blinking, for example, when it detects the opening of the eye 22 following the closing of the eye 22. In response to the detection of blinking, the computer 30 can record OCT data obtained from an OCT scan of a selected portion of the eye. The recorded OCT dataset can be used by the computer 30 to measure the corneal response to the detected blink.

[0027] In certain embodiments, at the start of the patient 42's diagnostic process, the computer 30 initializes the OCT device 15 and causes the OCT device 15 to continuously scan, for example, the corneal surface of the eye 22. For example, the OCT device 15 can repeatedly scan the same or different portions of the corneal surface. In these embodiments, when a blink is detected, the computer 30 can record the resulting data from one or more scans by the OCT device 15 that occurred within a predetermined time interval (e.g., 5 milliseconds to 1 second or 10 milliseconds to 1 second) after the detected blink.

[0028] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the OCT device 15 performs OCT scans in response to commands from the OCT device 15, rather than continuously scanning the corneal surface of the eye 22, for example. In these embodiments, the computer 30 can cause the OCT device 15 to perform one or more OCT scans of the corneal surface of the eye 22 immediately after detecting a blink. The computer 30 can then record the OCT data obtained from the resulting one or more OCT scans and use the recorded data to measure the corneal response to the detected blink.

[0029] Figure 3 shows an example of an ophthalmic diagnostic system 310. In general, the ophthalmic diagnostic system 310 may include any of the components and functions described in relation to the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 in Figures 1A-B and 12. Similarly, the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 may include any of the components and functions described in relation to the ophthalmic diagnostic system 310. Therefore, for the sake of clarity, similar components of the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 and the ophthalmic diagnostic system 310 may be referred to as interchangeable on a regular basis. For simplicity, the explanatory diagram in Figure 3 focuses on an example set of OCT device 315 and an example set of camera 338.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the OCT device 315 includes an OCT engine 312, a scanner 316, one or more optical elements 317, a focusing objective system 318, and lights 348(1) and 348(2). Similar to the OCT engine 12 in Figure 2, the OCT engine 312 generates and emits an imaging light beam 344 that is guided onto the surface of the cornea 346 of the eye 322, and can then receive a backscattered imaging light beam from the eye 322 along the opposite direction of the imaging light beam 344. Generally, the OCT engine 312, scanner 316, one or more optical elements 317, and focusing objective system 318 can operate as described with respect to the OCT engine 12, scanner 16, one or more optical elements 17, and / or focusing objective system 18 in Figure 2, respectively.

[0031] In the example in Figure 3, one or more optical elements 317 are shown as dichroic mirrors, the focusing objective system 18 is shown as an objective lens, and the lights 348(1) and 348(2) are shown as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that direct light toward the eye 322. In various embodiments, the lights 348(1) and 348(2) can improve the image acquisition quality by the camera 338. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the components shown in Figure 3 can exist in any suitable number or configuration. For example, it should be recognized that the two lights shown in Figure 3, i.e., lights 348(1) and 348(2), can be modified in quantity, type, and / or configuration to suit a given implementation.

[0032] Camera 338 can operate as described in relation to one or more cameras 38 in Figures 1A-B and Figure 2. In the illustrated embodiment, camera 338 is shown to include an iris camera 338(1) and a head camera 338(2). The iris camera 338(1) can be focused on or fixed to, for example, an eye 322 and provide a series of images of the eye 322 to the computer 30. The head camera 338(2) can be focused on or fixed to a patient's head, such as head 6 in Figures 1A-B, and provide a series of images of the head to the computer 30. In some cases, camera 338 may be positioned behind the focusing objective system 318, as shown. In addition or alternatively, camera 338 may be positioned to the side, below, or in close proximity to lights 348(1) and 348(2). For example, the iris camera 338(1) can be placed near the light 348(1), and the head camera 338(2) can be placed near the light 348(2).

[0033] In various embodiments, the computer 30 in Figure 2 can be operated to monitor eyelid movements relative to the eye 322 via images received from the iris camera 338(1). For example, the computer 30 can detect the opening of the eyelids following the closing of the eyelids of the eye 322 as a blink. More simply, the computer 30 can detect the opening of the eye 322 following the closing of the eye 322 as a blink.

[0034] The computer 30 can determine the opening and closing of the eye 322 in any suitable manner. For example, the computer 30 can determine that the eye 322 is closed if the image from the iris camera 338(1) indicates that the iris is no longer visible. Similarly, the computer 30 can determine that the eye 322 is open if the image from the iris camera 338(1) indicates that the iris is visible. Other examples of determining opening and closing will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a detailed examination of this disclosure.

[0035] In various embodiments, the computer 30 in Figure 2 can be operated to monitor head movement (e.g., the movement of head 6 in Figures 1A-B) via images received from the head camera 338(2). For example, the computer 30 can establish and / or store a configuration that defines the minimum head movement. In various embodiments, if the computer 30 determines that the minimum head movement occurred within a specified time interval of a detected blink (e.g., within 1 or 2 seconds before and / or after the detected blink), the detected blink may be ignored, and as a result, the detected blink is not relied upon as a stimulus for measuring corneal biomechanics. In various embodiments, such head movement indicates that a blink did not actually occur and / or that the OCT data from the corresponding time interval is not useful.

[0036] In various embodiments, the minimum head movement can be configured or specified in any suitable manner. For example, referring to Figures 1A and 1B, in some cases the minimum can be specified in terms of the movement and / or orientation of the head 6 relative to a reference point, such as any previous image or combination of images of the head 6. In other cases, the minimum can be specified as a Boolean parameter indicating whether the head 6 is moving, such that if motion is detected, a minimum amount of head movement is considered to exist. In yet other cases, the minimum head movement can be specified as a Boolean parameter indicating whether the head 6 is in a desired alignment (for example, based on its position and / or orientation in the field of view), such that if the head 6 is considered not to be aligned, a specified minimum amount of head movement is considered to exist. The minimum head movement can also be configured or specified using the combinations described above. Other examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a detailed examination of this disclosure.

[0037] Figure 4 shows an example of process 400 for measuring corneal biomechanics via blinking stimulation. In a particular embodiment, process 400 can be implemented by any system capable of processing OCT data. For the sake of simplicity, any number of systems can implement process 400, either entirely or partially, but process 400 will be described in terms of the components of the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 in Figures 1A-B and 2 and the ophthalmic diagnostic system 310 in Figure 3.

[0038] In block 402, the computer 30 initializes the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10. In certain embodiments, the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 is initialized at the start of a patient diagnostic process, such as the patient diagnostic process shown in Figures 1A-B. Initialization in block 402 may include, for example, triggering the operation of the OCT device 15, one or more cameras 38, and / or other components. With respect to one or more cameras 38, the computer 30 can cause one or more cameras 38 to start capturing and providing images.

[0039] In some embodiments, with respect to the OCT device 15, the initialization in block 402 may include the computer 30 causing the OCT device 15 to continuously scan, for example, the corneal surface of the eye 22. For example, the OCT device 15 may repeatedly scan the same or different portions of the corneal surface. In other embodiments, the initialization in 402 may include putting the OCT device 15 into a standby state, ready to receive OCT scan commands from the computer 30.

[0040] In block 404, the computer 30 monitors the patient's eye movements relative to the eye 22 via images continuously received from one or more cameras 38. For example, as described with reference to Figure 3, the computer 30 can monitor the eyelid movements of the patient 42 via images from the iris camera 338(1).

[0041] In determination block 406, the computer 30 determines whether a blink has been detected based on images from one or more cameras 38. As illustrated with reference to Figure 3, a blink may be detected, for example, when the computer 30 detects the opening of the eyelids following the closure of the patient's eyelids. If determination block 406 determines that no blink was detected, process 400 returns to block 404 and proceeds as previously described. Otherwise, if determination block 406 determines that a blink was detected, process 400 proceeds to block 412.

[0042] In block 412, in response to the detection of a blink, the computer 30 records an OCT dataset resulting from one or more OCT scans by the OCT device 15 of at least a selected portion of the eye 22, such as a portion of the cornea 346 in Figure 3. The recorded OCT dataset may include, for example, OCT data obtained from one or more OCT scans performed within a predetermined time interval (e.g., 5 milliseconds to 1 second or 10 milliseconds to 1 second) after the detected blink. Recording may include, for example, saving, marking, retaining, and / or otherwise associating the OCT data with the patient (e.g., in patient records or other patient data storage) and persisting it in, for example, memory 32 or other storage.

[0043] Referring further to block 412, in some embodiments, as described with respect to block 402, the OCT device 15 can perform a series of OCT scans of a selected portion of the eye 22. In some of these embodiments, block 412 may include the computer 30 selecting OCT data resulting from one or more scans by the OCT device 15 occurring within a predetermined time interval after a detected blink (e.g., 10 milliseconds to 1 second after the detected blink), and storing the selected OCT data in association with the patient as described above. In addition, or alternatively, block 412 may include excluding OCT data resulting from OCT scans performed outside the predetermined time interval from the patient data storage device. Exclusion may include, for example, deleting or discarding such data, making such data available for overwriting, or a combination of the foregoing.

[0044] Continuing with Block 412, in some embodiments, as described above, the OCT device 15 may be in a standby state, ready to receive OCT scan commands from the computer 30. In these embodiments, the recording of data in Block 412 may include the computer 30 commanding or having the OCT device 15 perform one or more scans of selected parts of the eye 22, such as a selected portion of the cornea 346 in Figure 3, and receiving OCT data obtained from the commanded or performed scans. The received OCT data may be stored as described above or otherwise retained.

[0045] In block 414, the computer 30 measures the corneal response to a detected blink based on the OCT dataset. Generally, block 414 may include measuring the corneal biomechanics of the eye 22 using the detected blink as a stimulus. For example, the computer 30 can generate OCT amplitude and phase signals based on the OCT dataset and quantify tissue stiffness (e.g., Young's modulus) based on the OCT amplitude and phase signals. In some examples, tissue stiffness can be quantified by quantifying one or more vibrational characteristics of the cornea 346 after the detected blink. Vibrational characteristics can be quantified, for example, via Doppler OCT, amplitude-uncorrelated, and / or phase-uncorrelated techniques. Vibrational characteristics may include one or more of the following: vibrational amplitude, one or more vibrational frequency characteristics, shear wave propagation characteristics, or a combination of the aforementioned.

[0046] In block 416, the computer 30 records and / or displays the resulting data from block 414, such as the resulting corneal biomechanics. In various embodiments, the resulting corneal biomechanics can be stored in memory 32 or other storage with respect to the patient. In addition or alternatively, the resulting biomechanics can be displayed to the user or operator of the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10.

[0047] In determination block 418, the computer 30 determines whether to collect additional corneal biomechanics in response to further stimulation of the patient's eye. If determination block 418 determines to collect additional corneal biomechanics, process 400 returns to block 402 and proceeds as described above. Otherwise, process 400 terminates.

[0048] Figure 5 shows an example of process 500 for measuring corneal biomechanics via blinking stimuli in a multi-camera system. In a particular embodiment, process 500 can be implemented by any system capable of processing OCT data. For the sake of simplicity, any number of systems can implement process 500, either entirely or partially, but process 500 will be described in terms of the components of the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 in Figures 1A-B and 2 and the ophthalmic diagnostic system 310 in Figure 3.

[0049] In block 502, the computer 30 initializes the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10. In certain embodiments, the ophthalmic diagnostic system 10 is initialized at the start of a patient diagnostic process, such as the patient diagnostic process shown in Figures 1A-B. Initialization in block 402 may include, for example, triggering the operation of the OCT device 15, the camera 338, and / or other components. Generally, the OCT device 15 may be initialized as described in relation to block 402 in Figure 4. With respect to the camera 338, the computer 30 can cause the iris camera 338(1) and the head camera 338(2) to start capturing and providing images.

[0050] In block 504, the computer 30 monitors the patient's eye movements relative to the eye 22 via images continuously received from the iris camera 338(1) and the head camera 338(2), respectively. For example, as described in relation to Figure 3, the computer 30 can monitor the eyelid movements of the patient 42 via images from the iris camera 338(1). In addition, also as described in relation to Figure 3, the computer 30 can monitor the head movements of the patient 42 via images from the head camera 338(2).

[0051] In determination block 506, the computer 30 determines whether a blink has been detected based on the image from the iris camera 338(1). As described above with respect to Figure 3, a blink may be detected, for example, when the computer 30 detects the opening of the eyelids following the closure of the patient's eyelids. If it is determined in determination block 506 that no blink was detected, process 500 returns to block 504 and proceeds as previously described. Otherwise, if it is determined in determination block 506 that a blink was detected, process 500 proceeds to block 508.

[0052] In the determination block 508, the computer 30 determines, based on the image from the head camera 338(2), whether at least a specified minimum amount of head movement has been detected in relation to the detected blink. In various embodiments, at least a specified minimum amount of head movement can be detected by any suitable method, including any of the methods described above in relation to Figure 3. In various embodiments, for example, if the head movement is detected within a specified time interval of the detected blink, the head movement can be detected in relation to the detected blink, and the specified time interval may extend to the period before and / or after the detected blink.

[0053] If, in determination block 508, it is determined that at least a specified minimum amount of head movement has been detected, the computer 30 ignores the detected blink in block 510. In certain embodiments, the head movement associated with the detected blink indicates that the blink did not actually occur and / or that the OCT data from the corresponding time interval is not useful. Ignoring the detected blink may include, for example, excluding from the patient data storage device the OCT data resulting from OCT scans performed within a specified time interval of the detected blink. Exclusion may include, for example, deleting or discarding such data, making such data available for overwriting, or a combination of the foregoing. From block 510, process 500 returns to block 504 and performs as described above.

[0054] Otherwise, if the determination block 508 determines that at least the specified minimum amount of head movement was not detected, process 500 proceeds to block 512. Generally, blocks 512-518 are executed as described in relation to blocks 412-418 in Figure 4. Process 500 terminates following a negative determination in determination block 518.

[0055] In various embodiments, diagnostic systems such as the example diagnostic systems described herein can have various advantages. For example, such a diagnostic system that measures the biomechanical properties of affected or healthy corneas makes it possible to include new metrics in treatment planning algorithms to enhance predictability and surgeon confidence. Additionally, or alternatively, the ability to generate corneal biomechanical measurements and apply them to treatment algorithms can help in more accurate estimation, prediction, and / or establishment of cataract outcomes from patient-specific postoperative-induced astigmatism (SIA), limbal retraction (LRI) outcomes from patient-specific calculations, treatment decisions for corneal refractive power, orthokeratology (Ortho-K) outcomes, and treatment and / or diagnosis of dry eye.

[0056] The subject matter disclosed above should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and the attached claims are intended to encompass all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fall within the true intent and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the scope of this disclosure shall be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be limited or restricted by the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

1. A method for measuring ocular tissue biomechanics via blinking stimuli, wherein a computer communicates with an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device, Monitoring the patient's eye movements through one or more images from a camera, In response to the aforementioned monitoring, the blinking of the patient's eyes is detected, In response to the detected blink, the OCT device records data resulting from a scan of at least a portion of the eye tissue. Based on the recorded data from the scan, measure the tissue response to the detected blink, Methods that include...

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising recording or displaying data resulting from the measured tissue response.

3. Monitoring the aforementioned movements includes monitoring the movement of the patient's eyelids, The method according to claim 1, wherein the detection of blinking includes detecting the opening of the eye following the closing of the eye in response to monitoring the movement of the eyelid.

4. Monitoring the aforementioned movements Monitoring the movement of the patient's eyelids via one or more images from a first camera, Monitoring the patient's head movements via one or more images from a second camera, The method according to claim 1, including the method described in claim 1.

5. In response to monitoring the movement of the eyelid, a second blink of the patient's eye is detected, In response to monitoring the head movement, the detection of at least a specified minimum movement of the patient's head in relation to the detected second blink, In response to the detected movement of the patient's head, the detected second blink is ignored, The method according to claim 4, further comprising:

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the ignoring includes excluding from the patient data storage device any OCT data resulting from one or more OCT scans performed within a specified time interval of the detected second blink.

7. The method further includes causing the OCT device to continuously scan at least a portion of the tissue of the eye, and recording the data. Selecting OCT data obtained from one or more scans by the OCT device that occur within a predetermined time interval after the detected blink, The selected OCT data is stored in association with the patient, The method according to claim 1, including the method described in claim 1.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising causing the OCT device to continuously scan at least a portion of the tissue of the eye, and recording the data comprising excluding from the patient data storage device any OCT data resulting from one or more OCT scans by the OCT device occurring outside a predetermined time interval after the detected blink.

9. Recording the aforementioned data means In response to the detected blink, the OCT device is made to scan at least a portion of the tissue of the eye, The OCT data obtained as a result of performing the aforementioned scan is stored, The method according to claim 1, including the method described in claim 1.

10. Measuring the tissue response as described above means Based on the recorded data, OCT amplitude and phase signals are generated. To quantify tissue stiffness based on the OCT amplitude and the phase signal, The method according to claim 1, including the method described in claim 1.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein quantifying the tissue stiffness includes quantifying one or more vibration characteristics of the cornea of ​​the eye after the detected blink.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the one or more vibration characteristics include at least one of vibration amplitude, one or more vibration frequency characteristics, or shear wave propagation characteristics.

13. A system for measuring the biomechanics of ocular tissue via blinking stimuli, Optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices and A first camera capable of providing one or more images of a patient's eye, A computer that is communicatively coupled to the OCT device and the first camera, The computer includes, The movement of the patient's eyes is monitored via one or more images from the first camera. In response to the aforementioned monitoring, the blinking of the patient's eyes is detected. In response to the detected blink, the OCT device records data resulting from a scan of at least a portion of the eye tissue. Based on the recorded data from the scan, the tissue response to the detected blink is measured. A system capable of operating in this manner.

14. The system further comprises a second camera capable of providing one or more images of the patient's head, and the computer is The movement of the patient's eyelids is monitored via one or more images from the first camera. The patient's head movements are monitored via one or more images from the second camera. The system according to claim 13, which is capable of operating in this manner.

15. The aforementioned computer, In response to monitoring the movement of the eyelid, a second blink of the patient's eye is detected. In response to monitoring the head movement, the system detects at least a specified minimum movement of the patient's head in relation to the detected second blink. In response to the detected movement of the patient's head, the detected second blink is ignored. The system according to claim 14, which is capable of operating in this manner.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the ignoring includes excluding from the patient data storage device any OCT data resulting from one or more OCT scans performed within a specified time interval of the detected second blink.

17. A computer program product comprising a non-temporary computer-usable medium having embedded computer-readable program code, wherein the computer-readable program code is adapted to be executed to carry out a method, and the method is Monitoring the patient's eye movements through one or more images from a camera, In response to the aforementioned monitoring, the blinking of the patient's eyes is detected, In response to detecting the blink, the optical coherence tomography (OCT) device records the resulting data from a scan of at least a portion of the eye tissue. Based on the recorded data from the scan, measure the tissue response to the detected blink, Computer program products, including [this].

18. Monitoring the aforementioned movements Monitoring the movement of the patient's eyelids via one or more images from a first camera, Monitoring the patient's head movements via one or more images from a second camera, The computer program product according to claim 17, including the above.

19. The aforementioned method, In response to monitoring the movement of the eyelid, a second blink of the patient's eye is detected, In response to monitoring the head movement, the detection of at least a specified minimum movement of the patient's head in relation to the detected second blink, In response to the detected movement of the patient's head, the detected second blink is ignored, The computer program product according to claim 18, further comprising:

20. The computer program product according to claim 19, wherein the ignoring includes excluding from a patient data storage device OCT data obtained from one or more OCT scans performed within a specified time interval of the detected second blink.

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