Portable OCT Scan Device for Bedridden Patient Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional OCT systems are typically fixed and cumbersome, making it difficult to align samples, especially for bedridden patients or in animal applications, where portability and ease of use are essential.
Innovation Solution
A portable OCT scan device integrating the optical engine and scanning system within a single unit, allowing for flexible sample alignment and incorporating a fundus imaging system, a controller for lens focusing, and wireless communication for control and data transmission, enabling handheld operation and wider application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional OCT systems are used, then imaging functionality is provided, but the systems are fixed and cumbersome, making it difficult to align samples and reducing portability
Solution Approach 1:
The OCT system is divided into two separate functional units: a portable scan device containing the optical engine and scanning system, and a separate processing unit. This segmentation allows the scanning portion to be easily moved and aligned with samples while the processing unit remains stationary.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication link serves as an intermediary between the portable scan device and the processing unit, enabling control instructions and data transmission without physical connection constraints. This allows the scan device to be positioned freely near the sample while maintaining system functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If OCT systems are made portable, then ease of use and applicability to bedridden patients improves, but integrating optical engine and scanning system in a single unit increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The optical engine and scanning system are merged into a single integrated portable scan device housing, creating a self-contained unit that can be easily transported and deployed. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components that need to be managed and connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable scan device is designed with multi-functional capabilities, including fundus imaging system in addition to OCT scanning, allowing a single device to perform multiple diagnostic functions. This increases adaptability across different applications without requiring separate specialized devices.
3Weight of moving object
If the optical engine and scanning system are integrated in a single portable unit, then portability is enhanced, but the form factor and cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing unit is extracted from the portable scan device and placed in a separate stationary location. This extraction reduces the weight and form factor of the moving portable unit, retaining only the essential scanning and imaging components that must be near the sample.
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical connections and physical cables between the scan device and processing unit are replaced with wireless communication systems. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky cable management and reduces physical constraints on the portable device's form factor.
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
Enhances portability, reduces the form factor and cost of OCT systems, facilitating their use in diverse applications by allowing the device to be taken to samples rather than requiring samples to be brought to the device, improving usability and expanding its application scope.
Implementation Method 1
OCT is based on low-coherence interferometry
Implementation Method 2
A relatively recent implementation of optical coherence tomography—frequency-domain optical coherence tomography—provides advantages in signal-to-noise ratio
Implementation Method 3
a controller disposed within the OCT scan device housing and configured to adjust lens focusing parameters in the reference-arm and the sample-arm
Implementation Method 4
control a scanning function of an optical beam emitting from the sample-arm
Implementation Method 5
the OCT scan device being configured to transmit and receive control instructions and transmit fundus image data
Data Source
AI summary
An optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan device includes an OCT scan device housing, an interferometer disposed within the OCT scan device housing and including a light source, a fiber optic coupler including an interferometer output, a reference-arm, and a sample-arm. The OCT scan device further includes a power source configured to provide power to the light source and the remaining components of the OCT scan device, and a controller disposed within the OCT scan device housing and configured to adjust lens focusing parameters in the reference-arm and the sample-arm, and control a scanning function of an optical beam emitting from the sample-arm. The OCT scan device is further configured to transmit and receive control instructions and transmit fundus image data.