OCT Scan Pattern Design for Corneal Power Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) systems face limitations in data scan speed and resolution, particularly in generating comprehensive corneal power maps, which are essential for accurate eye examinations and surgical planning, due to suboptimal scan patterns and integration with other imaging modalities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a systematic scan pattern design for OCT systems that includes radial, circular, and raster scans, optimized for specific clinical applications, such as corneal pachymetry and topography, combined with data processing techniques to enhance data density and reliability, and integration with corneal topography imaging for improved corneal power mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional TD-OCT scan patterns are used, then device complexity is reduced, but data scan speed and measurement precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The scan pattern is segmented into multiple components: radial scans for corneal curvature, circular scans for pachymetry, and raster scans for detailed surface mapping. Each scan type targets specific corneal features, allowing comprehensive data collection while maintaining systematic organization and improving measurement precision without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D cross-sectional scanning to 3D volumetric scanning by incorporating radial, circular, and raster scan patterns. This multi-dimensional approach captures corneal data from multiple angles and depths, significantly improving corneal power measurement precision by analyzing curvature and thickness from various perspectives
2Productivity
If FD-OCT with high scan rates is used, then data scan speed improves, but motion artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs continuous scanning protocols where radial, circular, and raster scans are performed in seamless sequences without interruption. This continuous data acquisition at high FD-OCT scan rates ensures complete corneal coverage while minimizing gaps that could allow eye motion to create artifacts, thereby maintaining both high productivity and data reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary scanning to identify and exclude frames contaminated by motion artifacts before final data processing. By pre-screening data quality and selectively discarding compromised frames, the patent maintains high scan speeds while ensuring only reliable data contributes to the final corneal power measurements
3Measurement precision
If limited cross-sectional scans are used, then scan time is reduced, but measurement precision and data density deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-component scan pattern serves multiple functions simultaneously: radial scans measure corneal curvature, circular scans assess pachymetry, and raster scans map surface topography. This universal scan protocol comprehensively evaluates all corneal parameters in a single integrated examination, achieving high measurement precision without requiring multiple separate scanning sessions
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 the acquisition of high-quality, dense OCT data sets that effectively capture corneal features, reducing motion artifacts and enhancing the accuracy of corneal power measurements, facilitating more reliable clinical assessments and surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is an optical signal imaging and processing technique that captures three-dimensional (3D) data sets with micrometer resolution
Implementation Method 2
acquiring OCT data with a scan pattern centered on an eye cornea that includes n radial scans repeated r times, c circular scans repeated r times, and n* raster scans
Implementation Method 3
processing the OCT data to obtain the target measurement
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with some embodiments, a method of eye examination includes acquiring OCT data with a scan pattern centered on an eye cornea that includes n radial scans repeated r times, c circular scans repeated r times, and n* raster scans where the scan pattern is repeated m times, where each scan includes a A-scans, and where n is an integer that is 0 or greater, r is an integer that is 1 or greater, c is an integer that is 0 or greater, n* is an integer that is 0 or greater, m is an integer that is 1 or greater, and a is an integer greater than 1, the values of n, r, c, n*, and m being chosen to provide OCT data for a target measurement, and processing the OCT data to obtain the target measurement.