OCT Imaging Apparatus Deforming 3D Data for Arbitrary Cross-Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmologic imaging techniques, such as OCT, struggle to provide comprehensive diagnostic imaging that includes cross-sectional views in arbitrary directions and detailed observations of specific eye layers and their relationships, limiting the ability to analyze complex eye structures effectively.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus that acquires three-dimensional image data using OCT, designates partial image data corresponding to specific eye sites, deforms this data into predetermined shapes, and forms cross-sectional images, allowing for detailed display and analysis of eye structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional OCT imaging techniques are used to obtain three-dimensional image data, then basic structural information of the eye can be acquired, but comprehensive diagnostic imaging including cross-sectional views in arbitrary directions and detailed observations of specific eye layers cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the three-dimensional image data into multiple two-dimensional cross-sectional images by specifying different plane positions and normal vectors. This allows independent analysis of specific eye layers and structures at different depths and orientations, resolving the contradiction between obtaining basic 3D information and achieving comprehensive diagnostic imaging with detailed structural observations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms three-dimensional volumetric data into multiple two-dimensional cross-sectional views by defining different slicing planes characterized by position vectors and normal vectors. This dimensional transformation enables comprehensive observation of eye structures from multiple perspectives (axial, coronal, sagittal planes and arbitrary orientations) while maintaining high-resolution structural details, thus achieving versatile imaging capability without losing structural information.
2Measurement precision
If multiple cross-sectional images are generated to provide comprehensive diagnostic views, then detailed analysis of specific eye layers is improved, but the complexity of image processing and data management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal processing framework where a single algorithm can generate multiple cross-sectional images from one three-dimensional dataset by varying plane specification parameters (position and normal vector). This multi-functional approach enables comprehensive analysis of different eye layers and structures using the same processing pipeline, improving measurement precision while avoiding the need for separate complex processing systems for each imaging mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies processing parameters (plane position vectors and normal vectors) to generate different cross-sectional views from the same three-dimensional data. By changing these parameters, the system can produce axial, coronal, sagittal, and arbitrary oriented cross-sections without repeating the entire image acquisition process, thus improving layer analysis accuracy while keeping processing complexity manageable through parameter-based control.
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 comprehensive diagnostic imaging by providing clear cross-sectional images of specific eye layers and their relationships, facilitating precise analysis and diagnosis.
Implementation Method 1
OCT forms an image that represents surface and/or internal morphologies of an object using light beams from a laser light source etc. This apparatus irradiates an object with low-coherence light beam, superposes its reflected light and reference light to generate interference light, and acquires spectral intensity distribution of the interference light
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment provides a new technique of ophthalmologic diagnostic imaging. An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus of an embodiment includes: an acquiring part configured to acquire three-dimensional image data of an eye by using optical coherence tomography; a designating part configured for designating partial image data that is a part of the three-dimensional image data corresponding to a specific site of the eye; a deforming part configured to deform the three-dimensional image data such that the partial image data is deformed into a predetermined shape to create new three-dimensional image data; a forming part configured to form cross-sectional image data based on the new three-dimensional image data; and a display controller configured to display an image based on the cross-sectional image data on a display means.