Layered Retinal Eye Phantom Assembly for OCT Angiography Evaluation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional eye phantoms fail to accurately mimic the vascular and layered structures of the retina, limiting their application in evaluating the performance of fifth-generation OCT devices and multifunctional retinal imaging devices, particularly in obtaining angiographic and fluorescence images.
Innovation Solution
An eye phantom assembly that includes nerve fiber, multilayer membrane, outer plexiform, and choroid mimicking layers with microchannels and varying scattering coefficients, along with a retinal curvature, to closely resemble the actual retina, enabling evaluation of angiographic and fluorescence images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional eye phantom with only multilayer film structure is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it cannot mimic the vascular structures of the retina, limiting its application in evaluating angiographic images
Solution Approach 1:
The eye phantom is divided into multiple distinct layers (NFL-mimicking layer, multilayer membrane-mimicking layer, OPL-mimicking layer, outer membrane-mimicking layer, and choroid-mimicking layer), each with specific functions. The vascular channels are segmented and distributed across different layers (superficial vascular channels in NFL, deep vascular channels in OPL, choroidal vascular channels in choroid-mimicking layer), allowing independent fabrication and optimization of each component while achieving overall structural accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the eye phantom have different properties tailored to mimic specific retinal structures. The NFL-mimicking layer has superficial vascular channels with specific scattering properties, the OPL-mimicking layer has deep vascular channels with different scattering characteristics, and the choroid-mimicking layer has choroidal vascular channels. Each layer's scattering coefficient and channel configuration is locally optimized to match the corresponding retinal tissue
2Adaptability or versatility
If an eye phantom without vascular channels is used, then the device complexity is low, but it cannot obtain angiographic images, limiting its utility for fifth-generation OCT device evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The eye phantom is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be used for conventional OCT imaging to evaluate retinal layer structure, for angiographic imaging to evaluate vascular structures, and for SLO imaging to evaluate fluorescence characteristics. The multifunctional design allows a single phantom to support evaluation of fifth-generation OCT devices with various imaging modes, increasing adaptability without requiring multiple separate phantoms
Solution Approach 2:
The eye phantom incorporates microchannel structures throughout its layers to mimic vascular networks. The NFL-mimicking layer contains superficial vascular channels, the OPL-mimicking layer contains deep vascular channels, and the choroid-mimicking layer contains choroidal vascular channels. These porous channel structures allow optical signals to interact with vascular pathways, enabling angiographic image acquisition while maintaining structural integrity
3Manufacturing precision
If detailed microchannel structures are added to mimic vascular networks, then the mimicry accuracy of retinal vascular structures is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microchannel structures are pre-formed within each layer during the fabrication process rather than being added later. The NFL-mimicking layer is fabricated with superficial vascular channels already embedded, the OPL-mimicking layer is fabricated with deep vascular channels integrated, and the choroid-mimicking layer is fabricated with choroidal vascular channels incorporated. This preliminary integration of vascular structures simplifies the overall manufacturing process by avoiding complex post-processing steps
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
Enables accurate performance evaluation of retinal imaging devices by mimicking the vascular and layered structures of the retina, allowing for the development and improvement of OCT devices and SLO devices.
Implementation Method 1
having a structure in which multiple layers with different scattering coefficients are stacked to mimic the multilayer cell layer structure of the retina
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an eye phantom assembly, a method for manufacturing the same, and an eye phantom including the same. The eye phantom assembly includes: a nerve fiber layer (NFL)-mimicking layer having superficial vascular channels formed to mimic a nerve fiber layer; a multilayer membrane-mimicking layer bonded to one surface of the NFL-mimicking layer and having a structure in which multiple layers with different scattering coefficients are stacked; an outer plexiform layer (OPL)-mimicking layer bonded to one surface of the multilayer membrane-mimicking layer and having deep vascular channels formed to mimic an outer plexiform layer; an outer membrane-mimicking layer bonded to one surface of the OPL-mimicking layer and formed to mimic the outer cell layer structure of the retina; and a choroid membrane-mimicking layer bonded to one surface of the outer membrane-mimicking layer and having choroidal vascular channels formed to mimic the choroid.