3DSS-OCT Imaging System for Hand-Held Scan Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical coherence tomography systems experience line-to-line positioning errors during in-vivo applications, such as hand-held scans of a patient's mouth, due to relative motion, and require two optical channels, leading to distortion in raster images and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a three-dimensional surface scanning (3DSS) sub-system with an optical coherence tomography (OCT) sub-system, sharing a common spatial frame of reference, to perform a surface scan and line scan respectively, reducing positioning errors and eliminating the need for a separate reference channel by using real-time surface and position data for proper orientation of the line scan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional OCT systems use two optical channels for imaging, then imaging capability is provided, but device complexity increases and line-to-line positioning errors occur during hand-held scans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the separate reference channel from the conventional two-channel OCT system. By using only a single measurement channel that captures both surface and sub-surface information, the system eliminates the complexity of maintaining two synchronized optical channels while improving positioning accuracy through real-time surface tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The single measurement channel in the patent serves multiple functions: it performs OCT imaging, tracks surface position, and provides reference information all through one optical path. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate reference and measurement channels, reducing device complexity while maintaining imaging capability.
2Measurement precision
If conventional OCT systems perform line scans during hand-held scans, then volumetric imaging is achieved, but line-to-line positioning errors cause distortion in raster images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback by continuously tracking the surface position during the line scan using the same measurement channel. This surface position information is fed back to dynamically adjust and correct the line scan positioning, eliminating distortion caused by hand-held motion while maintaining high spatial resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary surface scanning to establish a spatial reference frame before performing the OCT line scan. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-calculate correction factors and positioning adjustments, ensuring accurate spatial resolution even during hand-held scanning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces line-to-line positioning errors, enhances spatial resolution, and simplifies the imaging system by eliminating complex optical hardware, allowing for accurate measurement of sub-surface 3D volumetric features with less noise and artifacts compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The optical coherence tomography (OCT) sub-system is configured to perform a line scan of light reflected from the object of interest and captured by the OCT sub-system
Implementation Method 2
perform a line scan of light reflected from the object of interest
Implementation Method 3
The three-dimensional surface scanning (3DSS) sub-system is configured to capture information from the object of interest and generate at least one of three-dimensional surface data or three-dimensional position data
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system, a method for imaging an object of interest, and an image of the object of interest. In one embodiment, an imaging system includes a channel configured to receive information from an object of interest, a 3DSS sub-system configured to capture information from the object of interest and generate at least one of 3D surface data or 3D position data based on the information captured by the 3DSS sub-system, and an OCT sub-system configured to perform a line scan of light reflected from the object of interest, generate OCT image data from the line scan, receive the at least one of the 3D surface data or the 3D position data, and generate one or more OCT images using the OCT image data and the at least one of the 3D surface data or the 3D position data.