Fourier-domain OCT Ray-tracing for Rapid Intraocular Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the three-dimensional structure of intraocular interfaces and surfaces using ray tracing are time-consuming and prone to motion artifacts due to the need for sequential measurement beam scanning and frequent readouts, which limits the speed and accuracy of data recording.
Innovation Solution
The method employs Fourier domain distance measurement using short-coherence interferometry, where the pupil is illuminated with multiple measurement beams, and the reflected radiation is superimposed on a reference beam, with spectral analysis by a diffraction grating and imaging on a two-dimensional detector array to determine piercing points for rapid three-dimensional depiction of refracting and reflecting intraocular interfaces and surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sequential measurement beam scanning is used to measure three-dimensional structure of intraocular interfaces, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases and motion artifacts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into multiple independent measurement beams that are distributed across different pupil points. Instead of sequentially scanning one beam at a time, multiple beams measure different regions of the intraocular interfaces simultaneously, dividing the overall measurement task into parallel sub-tasks that can be executed concurrently.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement approach transitions from one-dimensional sequential scanning along a single beam path to two-dimensional parallel measurement across multiple pupil points. By illuminating the pupil at multiple distributed points simultaneously and measuring the reflected radiation from different entry locations, the system captures three-dimensional structural information through a multi-dimensional measurement strategy.
2Measurement precision
If sequential measurement beam scanning is used, then detailed structural information is obtained, but motion artifacts increase due to frequent readouts
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into multiple independent measurement beams that are distributed across different pupil points. Instead of sequentially scanning one beam at a time, multiple beams measure different regions of the intraocular interfaces simultaneously, dividing the overall measurement task into parallel sub-tasks that can be executed concurrently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous measurement action by illuminating multiple pupil points simultaneously and capturing reflected radiation from all measurement beams at the same time. This continuous parallel measurement eliminates the interruptions and idle periods inherent in sequential scanning, ensuring that structural information is captured without gaps while minimizing the window for motion-induced artifacts.
3Productivity
If multiple measurement beams are used simultaneously, then measurement speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system employs a universal optical configuration where a single illumination source and detection system serve multiple measurement beams simultaneously. The same optical components and processing electronics handle all measurement beams distributed across different pupil points, allowing the system to achieve parallel measurement capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 enables fast data registration within milliseconds, reducing motion artifacts and improving the speed and accuracy of three-dimensional imaging of the eye's structure, allowing for detailed depiction of intraocular interfaces and surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
spectral short-coherence interferometry
Implementation Method 2
all refracting and reflecting intraocular interfaces
Implementation Method 3
spectral analysis by a diffraction grating
Implementation Method 4
imaging on a two-dimensional detector array
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to an ophthalmologic measurement method which can depict three-dimensional structures of the interfaces of an eye by short-coherence interferometry based on reference points. For this purpose, the pupil is illuminated at a plurality of points by a short-coherence illumination source. The measurement beam reflected at these points by the interfaces and surfaces of the eye is superimposed with a reference beam. The measurement data which are generated in this way are spectrally split by a diffraction grating, imaged on a two-dimensional detector array and conveyed to a control unit which determines a three-dimensional structure of all intraocular interfaces and surfaces of the eye. In the suggested Fourier domain OCT method, the depiction of three-dimensional structures is preferably carried out by spline surfaces or polygon surfaces. In doing so, it is possible to determine the depth positions of the measurement beams in many points of the pupil with a single recording of the array camera in that the pupils are illuminated by a diaphragm grid and the reference mirror contains a periodic phase grid.