OCT Cross-View Imaging for Real-Time Surgical Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ophthalmic surgery is challenging due to the sensitivity of vision to small changes in the eye and the minute nature of eye structures, necessitating improved accuracy in surgical techniques, and existing OCT systems lack efficient methods for generating cross-sectional views that enhance surgical precision.

Innovation Solution

An OCT system that acquires and transforms multiple B-scan images, coupling them at an angle to generate a cross view image, which can be presented on a display with minimal delay to aid surgeons during procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple B-scan images are acquired and transformed to generate cross view images, then surgical precision and visualization quality are improved, but processing time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical precisionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary transformation of B-scan images into cross view images in advance, allowing the transformed images to be ready for immediate display during surgery. This pre-processing approach ensures that when images are needed for surgical guidance, they are already optimized for the cross view perspective, reducing real-time processing delays while maintaining high surgical precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple B-scan images are acquired and transformed to generate cross view images, then surgical precision and visualization quality are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The OCT system is designed with multi-functionality to handle both standard B-scan imaging and cross view image generation within a single integrated platform. The system can switch between different imaging modes and perform multiple functions (acquisition, transformation, coupling, and display) using the same hardware and software infrastructure, thereby improving surgical precision without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Shape

If B-scan images are coupled at an angle to generate cross view images, then anatomical structure visualization is improved, but image processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanatomical structure visualizationVSAvoidimage processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system couples B-scan images at specific angles to create cross view images that reveal anatomical structures in previously inaccessible dimensional perspectives. By transforming 2D B-scan images into angled 3D-like cross views, the system enhances visualization of retinal layers and anatomical relationships without requiring complex multi-dimensional reconstruction algorithms, thus improving anatomical visualization while controlling processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enhances surgical precision by providing real-time, high-resolution cross-sectional views, allowing surgeons to make informed adjustments during operations, thereby improving surgical outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

OCT is an interferometry analysis technique, which analyzes the time delay and magnitude changes of low coherence light as it is backscattered by biological sample tissues. As the sample arm and reference arm are reflected back to the OCT system, they are combined to create an interference pattern that may be used to measure distances and depth profiles of the sample.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP3525658B1Optical coherence tomography cross view imaging
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 ALCON INC
  • EP3525658B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3525658B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3525658B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system and method for cross view imaging using at least two B-scan images transformed and coupled to each other at an angle to generate a cross view image.