OCT Coherence Gate Curvature Correction via Pixel Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems face challenges in generating high-resolution three-dimensional images due to coherence gate curvature (CGC), which causes distortion and requires excessive computational resources for correction.
Innovation Solution
A method to correct coherence gate curvature by generating a CGC fitting curve based on a selected pixel set, using a processor to analyze interference signals and reduce computational load through selective pixel sampling and signal strength consideration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phase analysis method is used to correct coherence gate curvature, then correction resolution is improved (higher than pixel resolution), but computational load increases excessively (three Fourier transform calculations required)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for CGC correction by selecting specific pixels along the optical axis that exhibit strong interference signals. Instead of analyzing all pixels through full Fourier transform, the method extracts depth positions of selected pixels and fits a curve to these extracted points, thereby achieving sub-pixel correction resolution while dramatically reducing computational load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pixel set by selecting only representative pixels along the optical axis rather than processing all pixels. This segmentation approach divides the correction task into: (1) selecting key pixels with strong interference signals, (2) extracting their depth positions, and (3) fitting a curve through these extracted points. This segmentation enables high-resolution correction without the computational burden of processing the complete pixel dataset.
2Measurement precision
If all pixels are processed for CGC correction, then correction accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by processing only a selected subset of pixels that are most representative for CGC correction. Specifically, pixels along the optical axis with strong interference signals are selected, their depth positions are extracted, and a curve is fitted through these partial data points. This partial processing approach maintains correction accuracy while significantly reducing processing time compared to analyzing all pixels.
3Manufacturing precision
If high-resolution three-dimensional image is generated, then image quality is improved, but computational resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary CGC correction by fitting a curve to selected pixel depth positions before generating the final high-resolution three-dimensional image. This preliminary correction establishes the corrected depth positions that are then used in subsequent image generation. By performing this correction step in advance using only selected pixels rather than all pixels, the method enables high-resolution imaging with reduced computational resource requirements.
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 high-resolution three-dimensional image correction with reduced computational burden, achieving sub-pixel accuracy and improved processing speed.
Implementation Method 1
OCT generates a three-dimensional image by analyzing an interference signal arising from the difference in optical path between the sample light and the reference light
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method of correcting a three-dimensional image. To correct an image distorted by coherence gate curvature (CGC) occurring by an optical system, the method generates a three-dimensional image of a sample holder on which an object to be measured is placed from an interference signal, generates a CGC profile on the basis of an image of a cover glass of the sample holder appearing in the three-dimensional image, generates a CGC fitting curve from the CGC profile, and corrects the interference signal by using the CGC fitting curve. The present disclosure also relates to an OCT system capable of performing a method of correcting a three-dimensional image.