Fourier Ptychographic Retinal Imaging Aberration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retinal imaging techniques face limitations such as small field of view, long acquisition times, and high costs due to the need for adaptive optics correction, which are impractical for routine clinical use and are uncomfortable for patients.
Innovation Solution
The Fourier ptychographic retinal imaging (FPRI) method involves illuminating the eye with plane wave illumination and shifting an aperture at the Fourier plane to capture a sequence of raw images, which are then reconstructed to produce a substantially aberration-free, high-resolution retinal image using phase and amplitude data, allowing for post-acquisition aberration correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy is used to correct aberrations, then aberration correction is achieved, but the field of view becomes very small and acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pupil aperture into multiple sub-apertures, with each sub-aperture capturing a specific angular range of light. By sequentially activating different sub-apertures and capturing multiple images, the system reconstructs a wide-field high-resolution image that covers the entire macula region, thereby expanding the field of view while maintaining aberration correction quality through computational processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane optical correction approach to a multi-dimensional computational approach. By capturing images in the spatial domain with different sub-apertures and then processing them in the Fourier domain, the system achieves both wide field of view and high resolution simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between field size and image quality.
2Measurement precision
If conventional adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy is used to correct aberrations, then aberration correction is achieved, but acquisition time becomes very long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary capture of multiple raw images with different sub-apertures in rapid succession before any computational processing. This preliminary data acquisition phase is optimized to be fast, and the computationally intensive aberration correction and image reconstruction are performed afterward, separating the time-critical capture phase from the processing phase and thereby reducing overall acquisition time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical deformable mirror system used in conventional adaptive optics with a computational approach. Instead of mechanically adjusting optical elements in real-time to correct aberrations, the system uses algorithms to process the captured raw images and reconstruct the aberration-corrected image, significantly reducing the time required for aberration correction.
3Measurement precision
If conventional adaptive optics systems are used with deformable mirrors, then aberration correction is achieved, but system cost remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex deformable mirrors with simpler, more affordable components such as fixed sub-apertures or liquid crystal spatial light modulators. These alternative components achieve the necessary optical modulation at a fraction of the cost of deformable mirrors, making the system more economically viable for clinical deployment while maintaining aberration correction capability through computational processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the aberration correction function from the optical hardware (deformable mirrors) and relocates it to the computational domain. By removing the need for expensive adaptive optics hardware and performing aberration correction through image processing algorithms, the system achieves cost reduction while preserving the essential function of aberration compensation.
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
FPRI systems provide high-resolution, aberration-free retinal images efficiently, reducing acquisition time and costs, and are more comfortable for patients by separating aberration correction from the image acquisition process.
Implementation Method 1
illuminating the eye with plane wave illumination, and acquiring a sequence of raw retinal images based on light reflected from the retina
Implementation Method 2
acquiring a sequence of raw retinal images based on light reflected from the retina
Implementation Method 3
shifting an aperture at the Fourier plane to capture a sequence of raw images
Implementation Method 4
correcting aberration in the reconstructed complex full resolution image of the retina to generate a substantially aberration-free, full resolution retinal image
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments pertain to Fourier ptychographic retinal imaging methods and systems that focus on a retina of an eye to acquire a sequence of raw retinal images, construct a full-resolution, complex retinal image from the sequence of raw retinal image and correct the aberration in the full-resolution, complex retinal image to generate a substantially aberration-free retinal image.