Ophthalmic Location Indicator for OCT Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgeons face challenges in accurately correlating anatomical features in OCT images with their physical locations during ophthalmic surgical procedures, as existing technologies rely on complex and often inaccurate spatial interpretation with mono-chromatic aiming beams.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic visualization system that includes a computing device communicating with an OCT system to generate an OCT image and an indicator mechanism within the surgical microscope's field of view, using varying graphics, colors, or beam patterns to represent corresponding locations in the surgical field, allowing quick and accurate identification of anatomical features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a surgeon uses traditional mono-chromatic aiming beams for spatial interpretation, then the surgical field can be visualized, but the correlation accuracy between OCT images and physical locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded graphics along the location indicator to represent different locations within the OCT image. Each color or graphical variation corresponds to a specific anatomical feature or depth, enabling the surgeon to quickly identify and correlate locations without complex spatial interpretation. This visual encoding system transforms abstract spatial data into intuitive color-coded markers.
Solution Approach 2:
The location indicator acts as an intermediary element that bridges the OCT image space and the surgical field view. By projecting this indicator into the surgical field through the microscope, it provides a direct visual link between the two domains, eliminating the need for the surgeon to mentally map coordinates between separate images.
2Measurement precision
If detailed OCT imaging is performed to achieve high resolution, then anatomical feature visibility improves, but the time required for image acquisition and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary OCT scanning and location mapping before the surgical intervention begins. The location indicator is pre-calculated and positioned based on the OCT image data, so that when the surgeon needs to correlate locations, the mapping is already established and displayed, eliminating real-time processing delays.
3Area of stationary object
If a comprehensive OCT scan covers the entire surgical field, then complete anatomical coverage is achieved, but the complexity of correlating all locations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The location indicator is segmented into multiple graphical elements along its length, where each segment corresponds to a specific location or anatomical feature within the OCT image. This segmentation allows the surgeon to focus on individual segments of interest rather than attempting to interpret the entire scan simultaneously, reducing cognitive complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An ophthalmic visualization system (100) can include a computing device (160) in communication with an OCT system (182) configured to scan a surgical field (122) to generate an OCT image. The computing device can be configured to determine locations within the surgical field corresponding to locations within the OCT image. The ophthalmic visualization system can also include an indicator mechanism (172, 192) in communication with the computing device and a surgical microscope (130) configured to image the surgical field. The indicator mechanism can be configured to cause a location indicator (230, 302, 304, 306, 312, 314, 316) to be positioned within a field of view of the surgical microscope. The location indicator can graphically represent the locations within the surgical field corresponding to the locations within the OCT image.