OCT Device Combining Phase and Vector Difference for Motion Contrast

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices face challenges in obtaining satisfactory functional OCT images, particularly in detecting motion contrast without the use of contrast agents and in effectively distinguishing vascular and non-vascular parts, leading to artifacts and reduced image quality.

Innovation Solution

An optical coherence tomography device that combines phase difference and vector difference methods to generate functional OCT image data, using Doppler and spectral variance analysis to process OCT signals, thereby enhancing contrast and reducing artifacts by compensating for the limitations of individual methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single method (phase difference or vector difference) is used to generate functional OCT image data, then the processing is simple, but the image quality is reduced due to artifacts and inability to distinguish vascular and non-vascular parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion contrast detection accuracyVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines phase difference method and vector difference method to generate functional OCT image data. By merging the results from both methods, the system achieves high-contrast motion contrast imaging with reduced artifacts, enabling accurate detection of vascular structures while compensating for the limitations of individual methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the functional OCT image data into vascular and non-vascular parts through combination processing. By separating and independently processing the phase difference and vector difference components, the system can identify and eliminate artifacts while preserving genuine vascular signals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If contrast agents are used to obtain angiographic images, then the image quality is improved, but the procedure requires injection and becomes more invasive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangiographic image qualityVSAvoidprocedure simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the specimen's own optical properties (phase and amplitude of OCT signals) to generate functional images. By utilizing the inherent motion contrast from blood flow without requiring external contrast agents, the system achieves angiographic imaging that is non-invasive and eliminates the need for injection procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 device achieves high-contrast motion contrast imaging with reduced artifacts, enabling more accurate detection of vascular structures and improved visualization of retinal layers, overcoming the limitations of existing OCT techniques.

Implementation Method 1

the OCT light source (102) emits light, which is divided into reference light and measurement light, and combines the reference light and measurement light to detect interference

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

irradiates measurement light onto a fundus oculi Ef, and detects interference signal of measurement light reflected by the fundus oculi Ef and reference light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2884223B1Optical coherence tomography device
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 NIDEK CO LTD
  • EP2884223B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2884223B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2884223B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

There is provided an optical coherence tomography device provided with: an OCT optical system (100) configured to output OCT signal; and an analysis processing unit (70) configured to process the OCT signal and generate motion contrast data of the specimen. The analysis processing unit is provided with: a first image data generation unit configured to process multiple OCT signals to generate first image data representing phase difference information of the multiple OCT signals, and a second image data generation unit configured to process the OCT signal to generate second image data representing amplitude information of the OCT signal. The analysis processing unit generates the motion contrast data based on the phase difference information in the first image data and the amplitude information in the second image data.