Non-invasive Blood-Retinal Barrier Detection via OCT Reflectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging techniques, such as Fluorescein Angiography, are invasive and carry risks, while Optical Coherence Tomography Microangiography cannot identify sites of leakage or breakdown of the Blood-Retinal Barrier, necessitating a non-invasive method to detect alterations in the Blood-Retinal Barrier.
Innovation Solution
A method using Optical Coherence Tomography to segment retinal layers, calculate optical reflectivity, and detect sites of low optical reflectivity, generating images that highlight retinal alterations, thereby identifying increases in extracellular space as indicators of Blood-Retinal Barrier alterations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Fluorescein Angiography is used to identify sites of Blood-Retinal Barrier alteration, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to intravenous dye administration and potential severe complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) as an intermediary non-invasive imaging modality to detect extracellular space changes that serve as surrogate indicators of Blood-Retinal Barrier alterations, replacing the need for invasive fluorescein dye administration while maintaining diagnostic capability through automated analysis of retinal extracellular space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive injection-based Fluorescein Angiography system with a non-invasive Optical Coherence Tomography system that uses light waves to image retinal structures and detect extracellular space changes through automated optical reflectivity analysis
2Object-affected harmful factors
If Optical Coherence Tomography Microangiography is used for non-invasive vascular imaging, then object-affected harmful factors are reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates as it cannot identify sites of leakage or breakdown of Blood-Retinal Barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the retina into distinct layers (nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer, outer plexiform layer, outer nuclear layer, photoreceptor layer, and retinal pigment epithelium) to enable layer-specific detection and analysis of extracellular space changes, allowing precise identification of Blood-Retinal Barrier alteration sites that standard OCT-Microangiography cannot detect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from general vascular imaging to specific optical reflectivity analysis of extracellular space in segmented retinal layers, enabling detection of leakage sites by identifying areas with abnormal reflectivity patterns that indicate Blood-Retinal Barrier breakdown
3Productivity
If automated analysis of retinal extracellular space is performed, then productivity is improved by replacing invasive procedures, but device complexity increases through automated segmentation and analysis algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated segmentation algorithms that automatically divide the retina into layers and identify extracellular space changes without requiring manual intervention, enabling the system to perform Blood-Retinal Barrier alteration detection autonomously and efficiently
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 allows for non-invasive identification and quantification of retinal extracellular space changes, correlating with fluorescein leakage sites and providing detailed layer-specific information, potentially replacing invasive Fluorescein Angiography and complementing OCT-Microangiography.
Implementation Method 1
calculating the optical reflectivity of each of the segmented retinal layers from the OCT data; detecting sites of low optical reflectivity from the calculated optical reflectivity
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for detecting sites of low optical reflectivity from optical coherence tomography, OCT, of the retina are provided. The method includes segmenting retinal layers from OCT data, calculating optical reflectivity of each segmented retinal layers from the OCT data, and detecting sites of low optical reflectivity from the calculated optical reflectivity of the segmented retinal layers. The calculated optical reflectivity can be compared against a predetermined threshold obtained from a healthy population. Segmenting can be carried out according to the optical reflectivity of each identified retinal layer. OCT-Microangiography data can be displayed side-by-side or superimposed with the enface images of the calculated optical reflectivity. The device can be combined with OCT equipment, in particular for displaying the detected sites of low optical reflectivity.