Attenuation-Based Optic Neuropathy Detection with 3D OCT
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optic neuropathy detection methods, such as those for glaucoma, rely on thickness measurements which are indirect and may not effectively capture early changes in retinal tissue properties, leading to delayed diagnosis and monitoring inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The method involves acquiring 3D OCT scan data, identifying layer boundaries, and calculating a ratio-based integrated attenuation value to assess the total backscattered signal intensity of target layers relative to reference layers, providing a more direct measurement of tissue changes and enabling earlier detection of optic neuropathies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thickness measurements are used for optic neuropathy detection, then the diagnostic process is simple and established, but the detection accuracy for early changes is reduced and diagnosis is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from retinal layer thickness to optical attenuation coefficient. By measuring how light intensity decays as it propagates through the retinal nerve fiber layer, the system detects early tissue changes before they manifest as thickness reductions. This parameter transformation enables earlier detection while maintaining diagnostic simplicity through automated calculation.
2Measurement precision
If attenuation coefficients are calculated using average values over tissue depth, then the calculation is simplified, but the measurement becomes indirect and less accurate for detecting localized tissue changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the retinal nerve fiber layer into multiple depth intervals and calculates attenuation coefficients for each segment separately. This segmentation allows the system to detect localized changes in different depths of the tissue layer, improving measurement accuracy while the automated processing maintains computational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality analysis by calculating attenuation coefficients at specific depth intervals within the retinal nerve fiber layer. This enables detection of non-uniform tissue changes at different depths, providing more accurate localized assessment of optic neuropathy while maintaining systematic calculation procedures.
3Reliability
If conventional thickness-based techniques are used, then the diagnostic approach is established and easy to implement, but it cannot effectively capture early tissue property changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical measurement approach (thickness measurement) with an optical measurement approach (attenuation coefficient measurement). By using light propagation characteristics instead of physical dimension measurement, the system can detect early tissue property changes that precede measurable thickness reductions, thereby improving both reliability and precision for early detection.
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 approach allows for earlier and more accurate detection and monitoring of optic neuropathies by providing a direct measurement of tissue changes, potentially outperforming thickness-based techniques in diagnosing conditions like glaucoma.
Implementation Method 1
three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (3D OCT). In this technique, a light beam is directed onto the retina. Part of the beam is back-reflected, and interferometric analysis of the back-reflected light yields information on the structure of the retina.
Implementation Method 2
interferometric analysis of the back-reflected light yields information on the structure of the retina
Implementation Method 3
an attenuation coefficient, which characterizes how rapidly intensity of light is attenuated as the light propagates through a medium (e.g., a scattering or absorbing medium), is one such optical property
Implementation Method 4
an image of a cross-section of the retina may be generated by scanning the optical probe along a line on the retina. By rastering the optical probe across the surface of the retina, a series of cross-sectional images may be produced
Data Source
AI summary
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan data of a subject is acquired over a region of interest which can include an optic disc or a macula of a retina. Layer boundaries of retinal layers are identified in the OCT scan data to facilitate measurements. In one aspect, a measurement related to ratio value between a total backscattered signal intensity of one or more target layers of the retina and a total backscattered signal intensity of one or more reference layers is computed on a location-by-location basis within a region of interest of the OCT scan data. Measurements can be collected, aggregated, analyzed, and displayed in connection with other information taken or derived from the OCT scan data.