OCT Apparatus Learned Model Optical Path Length Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) apparatuses face challenges in accurately adjusting the optical path length difference between measurement light and reference light, especially in eyes with irregular shapes, such as those with myopia, leading to incomplete or distorted retinal images due to mechanical scanning limitations.
Innovation Solution
An OCT apparatus with a learned model-based system that adjusts the optical path length difference using a driving unit, determining the driving amount from the tomographic image to precisely align the coherence gate, ensuring accurate alignment and image quality across varying eye shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical scanning is used in TD-OCT to obtain tomographic images, then the imaging resolution can be achieved, but the imaging speed is limited and cannot achieve high-speed imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system of TD-OCT with a non-mechanical spectral analysis system. SD-OCT uses a spectroscope to analyze interference patterns without moving parts, enabling high-speed acquisition of tomographic images while maintaining imaging resolution. This substitution eliminates the speed limitation imposed by mechanical scanning.
2Reliability
If the optical path length difference is adjusted based on the determined retina position, then the alignment can be improved, but the adjustment accuracy is insufficient for eyes with irregular shapes such as myopia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of the retina's three-dimensional shape and position before adjusting the optical path length difference. By first acquiring comprehensive spatial information about the retina's irregular geometry, the system can then calculate and apply the appropriate compensation, achieving accurate alignment for various eye shapes including myopic eyes with bent retinas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the optical path length difference parameter based on the detected retina position and shape characteristics. By changing this optical parameter according to the specific geometric features of each patient's retina, the system achieves accurate alignment adaptation for different eye shapes, overcoming the limitation of fixed adjustment methods.
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
The system achieves high-accuracy adjustment of the optical path length difference, enabling clear and complete retinal imaging even in eyes with complex shapes, improving the quality and reliability of OCT images.
Implementation Method 1
apparatuses for optical coherence tomography (OCT), which uses interference between low coherence light beams to obtain a tomographic image
Implementation Method 2
spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT), which uses a wide-band light source and obtains an interference signal with a spectroscope
Data Source
AI summary
The optical coherence tomography apparatus is an optical coherence tomography apparatus that obtains a tomographic image of an eye to be examined by using combined light obtained by combining (a) return light from the eye to be examined irradiated with measurement light and (b) reference light, the optical coherence tomography apparatus including an optical path length difference changing unit arranged to change an optical path length difference between the measurement light and the reference light, a driving unit arranged to drive the optical path length difference changing unit, a determining unit configured to determine, using a learned model, a driving amount of the driving unit from the obtained tomographic image, and a controlling unit configured to control the driving unit using the determined driving amount.