OCT Elastography for Epiretinal Membrane Stress Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating macular pucker, or epiretinal gliosis, are challenging due to the difficulty in visualizing the epiretinal membrane during surgery, which can lead to incomplete removal and potential toxicity from dyes used for staining, and require improved diagnostic and treatment techniques for efficient examination and intervention.
Innovation Solution
A system combining microscopy and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for generating images and determining stress-dependent parameters, allowing for more accurate pre- or intraoperative analysis of the epiretinal membrane, using OCT elastography to assess mechanical stress and generate output images that aid in precise membrane peeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If dyes are used to stain the epiretinal membrane for visualization, then the membrane becomes visible and distinguishable from surrounding tissue, but toxic effects may occur and additional handling steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the staining function from the visualization process by using OCT elastography to directly image the epiretinal membrane based on its mechanical properties. This removes the need for exogenous dyes entirely, eliminating toxicity while maintaining membrane distinguishability through stress-dependent parameter mapping
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical staining mechanism with a mechanical characterization approach. By applying controlled stress and measuring the resulting deformation through OCT elastography, the system substitutes chemical visualization with mechanical property-based imaging, achieving dye-free membrane detection
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If dyes are used to stain the epiretinal membrane, then the membrane can be selectively coloured, but laborious handling and washing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the entire dye handling workflow (application, incubation, washing) by using OCT elastography's inherent ability to differentiate tissue based on mechanical properties. The membrane is identified through its unique stress response characteristics without requiring any exogenous agents or additional processing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The OCT elastography system uses the natural mechanical properties of the epiretinal membrane itself for visualization. The membrane's inherent stress-dependent parameters provide the contrast mechanism, eliminating the need for external staining agents and simplifying the procedure to just the imaging steps
3Device complexity
If conventional microscopy is used alone, then the setup is simple, but the epiretinal membrane can be recognized only with difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges conventional OCT imaging with elastography functionality into an integrated system. By combining structural imaging with mechanical property measurement in a single setup, the system maintains relative simplicity while dramatically improving membrane detection capability through stress-dependent parameter mapping
Solution Approach 2:
The OCT elastography system performs multiple functions: structural imaging, mechanical property measurement, and membrane identification all within a single platform. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate staining procedures while maintaining system compactness and operational efficiency
4Productivity
If the epiretinal membrane is removed without precise visualization, then the surgery can proceed quickly, but incomplete removal and residual fragments may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary mapping of the epiretinal membrane's extent and stress distribution before removal begins. This pre-operative or intraoperative imaging allows the surgeon to identify all membrane boundaries and high-stress regions, ensuring complete removal while maintaining efficient surgical flow without repeated visualization checks
Solution Approach 2:
The OCT elastography system provides real-time feedback during membrane peeling by continuously monitoring stress-dependent parameters. This allows the surgeon to verify complete membrane removal by observing the disappearance of characteristic stress patterns, ensuring reliability while maintaining surgical speed through immediate visual confirmation
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
This approach enables a more precise and safe removal of the epiretinal membrane by providing detailed stress information, reducing the risk of residual membrane fragments and retinal injuries, and minimizing the use of potentially toxic dyes, thus improving surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The OCT system is configured to acquire OCT data from the object region which reproduce the object region in different stress states. The data processing unit is configured to determine at least one value of a stress-dependent parameter, depending on the OCT data.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system for examining an eye. The system comprises a microscopy system for generating an image plane image of an object region. An OCT system of the system is configured to acquire OCT data from the object region which reproduce the object region in different stress states. A data processing unit of the system is configured to determine at least one value of a stress-dependent parameter, depending on the OCT data. The system generates an output image that is dependent on the image plane image and is furthermore dependent on the stress-dependent parameter.