Retinal Imaging System with Motion Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive imaging methods for retinal structures, such as fluorescence adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope (AOSLO), face challenges with high light levels, focusing issues, and long post-processing times, limiting their clinical applications by preventing immediate inspection and reducing imaging efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that control light exposure spatially and temporally, using cross-correlation techniques to compensate for retinal movement and filter out motion artifacts, allowing for real-time acquisition and combination of high-quality composite images from multiple retinal layers with minimized light exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescence AOSLO techniques are used to image RPE cells, then image quality is improved, but light exposure levels become too high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging channels (reflectance channel and fluorescence channel) into a single integrated imaging system. The reflectance channel provides structural information while the fluorescence channel provides molecular specificity, allowing for reduced fluorescence illumination while maintaining image quality through fusion of both channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs intermittent or reduced-intensity illumination in the fluorescence channel, using periodic imaging sequences where fluorescence illumination is applied only during specific time windows rather than continuously, thereby reducing cumulative light exposure while still capturing necessary image data.
2Ease of operation
If conventional imaging methods are used, then image acquisition is simple, but post-processing time becomes too long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs motion correction and image alignment during the image acquisition phase itself, using real-time tracking of retinal landmarks and dynamic adjustment of imaging parameters. This preliminary correction during acquisition eliminates the need for extensive post-processing alignment and registration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical post-processing alignment methods with computational algorithms that perform real-time image registration and motion compensation using digital signal processing, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual or mechanical adjustment steps.
3Measurement precision
If high light levels are used for imaging, then image signal quality is improved, but retinal damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies adaptive illumination strategies where light intensity is locally adjusted based on detected retinal features and real-time image quality metrics. Regions with sufficient signal are imaged at lower intensity while only specific regions requiring enhanced signal receive higher illumination, minimizing overall retinal exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the reflectance channel as an intermediary that provides structural guidance information. This intermediary channel operates at low light levels and guides the fluorescence imaging process, allowing the system to achieve high signal quality in fluorescence images without requiring high fluorescence illumination by using the reflectance channel for localization and guidance.
4Productivity
If multiple retinal layers are imaged concurrently, then imaging efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-functional imaging system where a single optical platform performs both reflectance imaging and fluorescence imaging through wavelength-discriminating optics. The same scanning system, detector array, and control electronics serve both imaging modalities, allowing concurrent multi-layer imaging without proportionally increasing system complexity.
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 routine and practical imaging of retinal structures with improved image quality and efficiency, allowing for real-time viewing of high-signal-to-noise ratio images across large retinal areas, enhancing clinical applications by reducing exposure time and increasing imaging duration.
Implementation Method 1
The irradiance may include at least one of fluorescence, reflectance and scattering
Implementation Method 2
The irradiance may include at least one of fluorescence, reflectance and scattering
Implementation Method 3
The irradiance may include at least one of fluorescence, reflectance and scattering
Implementation Method 4
divide the first image frame and each successive image frame into corresponding multiple strips, and cross-correlate each successive image frame strip with a corresponding first image frame strip to compensate for intra-frame distortion due to retinal movement
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for imaging multiple retinal structures and montaging of multiple retinal images are provided. The method involves cross-correlating images from different imaging channels to compensate for intra-frame distortion due to retinal movement during image acquisition, and conducting a second cross-correlation to filter out any motion artifacts in the images. The resultant images are combined to generate a composite image. The method also involves controlling light directed on the retina spatially and temporally.