Handheld OCT Retinal Thickness Measurement Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems are complex, expensive, and not suited for regular, in-home monitoring of retinal thickness, limiting their accessibility and effectiveness for patients with retinal diseases.
Innovation Solution
A compact, handheld OCT system with an interferometer, position sensor, and processor that facilitates alignment and measurement of retinal thickness, allowing for in-home monitoring, and includes features like a fixation target and adjustable optics to compensate for refractive errors, enabling patients to independently measure their retinal thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If prior OCT systems are used for retinal thickness measurement, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase, making them unsuitable for in-home monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: an interferometer module for optical coherence tomography, a position sensor module for eye tracking, and a processor module for data analysis. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system accuracy, reducing the complexity burden on any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
A position sensor acts as an intermediary between the OCT interferometer and the retina, providing real-time eye position data that enables dynamic alignment compensation. This intermediary component allows the system to maintain measurement accuracy without requiring a overly complex mechanical alignment system.
2Reliability
If prior OCT systems are used for retinal thickness measurement, then measurement reliability is maintained, but portability and ease of operation deteriorate, preventing in-home use
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a position sensor that automatically tracks eye position and a processor that automatically adjusts alignment parameters, enabling the device to self-correct for misalignment without requiring trained operators. This allows patients to independently perform measurements at home while maintaining reliable results.
Solution Approach 2:
The position sensor provides real-time feedback on eye position to the processor, which then adjusts the alignment parameters dynamically. This feedback loop ensures that the system maintains reliable measurements even when used by untrained patients in home settings, as the system automatically compensates for positioning errors.
3Reliability
If frequent retinal thickness monitoring is implemented, then patient care quality improves, but cost and time burden increase for patients requiring regular healthcare visits
Solution Approach 1:
The OCT system is designed for patient self-administration at home, eliminating the need for scheduled healthcare visits for routine monitoring. Patients can independently perform retinal thickness measurements according to their treatment protocols, transforming a time-consuming clinic-based procedure into a convenient home-based self-service activity.
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 convenient, cost-effective, and frequent monitoring of retinal thickness, improving patient care by allowing self-measurement and reducing the need for frequent healthcare visits, while maintaining accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The optical coherence tomography (OCT) system comprises an interferometer
Implementation Method 2
move the fixation target and the lens with the three-axis translation stage to a position that laterally aligns the lens with the eye in response to a lateral position of the eye measured with the position sensor
Implementation Method 3
change a distance between the lens and the fixation target in order to compensate for a refractive error of the eye
Data Source
AI summary
Improved optical coherence tomography systems and methods to measure retinal data are presented. The systems may be compact, provide in-home monitoring, and have automation to allow the patient to measure himself or herself.