Line-Field OCT Retinal Imaging Without Mechanical Beam Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing OCT systems for diabetic retinopathy monitoring are costly and require mechanical scanning, limiting their accessibility for home use and increasing system complexity.
Innovation Solution
A line-field OCT system that uses a fixed OCT scanline and a fixation target display to control patient gaze, eliminating mechanical beam scanning by acquiring multiple B-scans at different retinal positions, enabling a composite retinal image without mechanical translation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If mechanical scanning is used to acquire retinal images, then imaging coverage is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system with a computational approach. Instead of physically moving the OCT beam across the retina, the system uses a fixed beam and computationally reconstructs images by processing signals from multiple fixed positions, thereby eliminating mechanical components while maintaining imaging coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point scanning approach to a line-field approach. By using a linear array of detectors to capture multiple points simultaneously along a scanline, the system achieves comprehensive retinal imaging without mechanical movement, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the detection approach
2Productivity
If point scanning is used in SS-OCT, then high imaging speed is achieved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection function by using a linear array of detectors instead of a single-point detector. Each detector in the array captures signal at a different position along the scanline simultaneously, enabling parallel acquisition of multiple data points and achieving high imaging speed without complex scanning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple detection functions into a single line-field detection system. By combining multiple point detections into a linear array that captures all points simultaneously, the system achieves the imaging speed of point scanning while eliminating the mechanical complexity, effectively parallelizing the detection process
3Device complexity
If fixed scanline with multiple B-scans is used, then system complexity is reduced, but acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous wavelength sweeping during the acquisition process. The swept-source laser continuously sweeps through its wavelength range while the line-field detector captures signals at multiple positions, ensuring that the useful action of imaging continues without interruption and minimizing idle time between acquisitions
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
Reduces system complexity and cost while allowing for effective home monitoring of diabetic retinopathy by capturing multi-position retinal data, facilitating timely intervention and treatment adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a swept-source laser source that modulates the wavelength of laser light
Implementation Method 2
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a cross-sectional, non-invasive imaging modality
Implementation Method 3
This has been attributed to four-wave mixing (FWM) in SOAs causing a negative frequency shift in intracavity light as it propagates through the SOA
Data Source
AI summary
A low-cost line-field parallel swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) system suitable for home monitoring of diabetic retinopathy and other disease states including macular degeneration is disclosed. The system includes a tunable laser coupled to an interferometer and a line-scan detector, and a single-board computer configured to control laser tuning and acquire interference data. A fixation target display is positioned to project an image to a patient's eye, and is moved in discrete steps orthogonal to the projected OCT scanline to acquire multiple B-scans at different retinal positions without mechanical beam scanning. The fixation target movement enables cross-sectional or volumetric retinal imaging using a single fixed OCT scanline, reducing system complexity and cost. The single-board computer processes line-field interferograms into depth-resolved profiles, displays images, and controls fixation target positioning. The system enables early detection and monitoring of diabetic macular edema and other retinal complications in a compact, patient-operable configuration.