Eye Fundus OCT Imaging for Non-Invasive Coagulation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods lack a non-invasive means to accurately detect the state of a patient's circulatory system, particularly in the context of thrombophilia, thrombus symptoms, and conditions like sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which are critical for managing infectious diseases.

Innovation Solution

A medical system utilizing optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography to analyze the eye fundus for blood flow and vessel characteristics, combined with machine learning models, to generate information on blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, and circulatory health, enabling remote data processing and transmission to healthcare providers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If invasive methods are used to detect circulatory system state, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and object-affected harmful factors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of circulatory system stateVSAvoidinfection risk to healthcare workers

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the eye fundus as an intermediary observation target. Instead of directly accessing the circulatory system, the system captures images of the eye fundus which contain indirect information about blood flow velocity, vessel diameter, and circulatory health. This intermediary approach allows non-invasive measurement while maintaining diagnostic value.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces invasive mechanical procedures with optical imaging technology. By using cameras and image processing algorithms to analyze eye fundus images, the system substitutes direct physical contact and invasive sampling with non-contact optical methods, thereby eliminating infection risks while preserving measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If complex medical knowledge and advanced techniques are required to detect disease symptoms, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of disease symptomsVSAvoidcomplexity of detection system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the eye fundus images to self-reveal circulatory system information through automated image processing. The system uses algorithms to automatically extract blood flow velocity, vessel diameter, and other circulatory parameters directly from the images without requiring manual intervention or complex analytical procedures by medical professionals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms complex circulatory system parameters into observable image features. By changing the representation from direct blood flow measurements to visual patterns in eye fundus images, the system makes complex physiological information accessible through simple imaging technology that can be processed automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If direct observation of circulatory system is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect measurement accuracyVSAvoidoperational simplicity of detection method

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses eye fundus imaging as an intermediary that provides indirect but accurate observation of the circulatory system. The eye fundus serves as a visible window through which blood flow characteristics can be observed and measured without directly accessing the blood vessels, combining ease of imaging with diagnostic precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables non-invasive, precise detection of circulatory system states, reducing healthcare worker infection risk by allowing remote examination and data analysis, thus facilitating early detection and management of conditions like thrombosis and sepsis.

Implementation Method 1

The data acquiring unit is configured to acquire data from an eye fundus of a patient by means of at least one optical method... the at least one optical method includes at least one of optical coherence tomography blood flow measurement (OCT blood flow measurement), optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical coherence tomography:

Implementation Method 2

The OCT apparatus is configured to collect data by applying optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning to the eye fundus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical coherence tomography scanning:

Data Source

PatentUS20260013721A1Optical coherence tomography for eye fundus imaging to determine blood coagulation and fibrinolytic from ocular blood flow data

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 TOPCON CORPORATION

AI summary

A medical system of an aspect example includes a data acquiring unit and a data processor. The data acquiring unit is configured to acquire data from an eye fundus of a patient using at least one optical method. The data processor is configured to process the data acquired by the data acquiring unit in order to generate information on the circulatory system of the patient.