Retinal Oxygenation Mapping Using Single-Snapshot Optical Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring tissue oxygenation, particularly in retinal tissue, are complex, inaccurate, and prone to errors due to tissue movement and the layered, highly absorbing nature of the retina, making it difficult to achieve rapid and precise measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using a spatially varying optical pattern projected onto the tissue, combined with distinct wavelength ranges, allow for a single snapshot measurement to determine tissue oxygenation by normalizing and transforming the reflected light, accounting for phase differences and internal standards, without relying on external references.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If prior methods and apparatus are used to measure tissue oxygenation, then measurements can be obtained, but the measurements are complex, inaccurate, and degraded by tissue movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process into distinct wavelength channels (first and second wavelength ranges) that are processed independently and then combined. This segmentation allows for separate optimization of each wavelength's measurement while reducing cross-interference, thereby improving accuracy without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter by using multiple distinct wavelength ranges instead of a single wavelength. This parameter change enables the system to differentiate between oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin based on their distinct absorption spectra, significantly improving measurement accuracy while using standard optical detection components
2Productivity
If prior methods are used to measure retinal tissue, then oxygenation data can be collected, but measurements are degraded by eye movement and take excessive time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary normalization of the optical signal using a transform function before final oxygenation calculation. This preliminary processing step corrects for intensity variations and movement artifacts in advance, allowing rapid single-snapshot measurements without sacrificing accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical stabilization systems (such as complex eye-tracking hardware or multiple sequential measurements) with a computational approach using optical transform functions. This substitution maintains measurement accuracy while dramatically reducing measurement time and system complexity
3Measurement precision
If the retina is measured as a layered, highly absorbing tissue, then oxygenation information can be obtained, but the layered structure and high absorption increase measurement difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using wavelength-specific absorption characteristics that are optimized for penetrating retinal layers. The first and second wavelength ranges are selected to penetrate different depths of the retinal structure, with each wavelength providing information about specific layers, thereby overcoming the challenges of the retina's layered and highly absorbing nature
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 accurate and rapid determination of tissue oxygenation with improved measurement accuracy, allowing for early detection of conditions like diabetic retinopathy by providing a blood oxygenation map with sensitivity to small changes, reducing errors from tissue movement.
Implementation Method 1
The light pattern imaged by the detector can be transformed with a transform function to generate a transform data, and the transform data can be used to determine the oxygenation of the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are methods and systems for determining a parameter across a surface of a tissue such as a retinal tissue of an eye of a subject. In some cases, the determined parameter is tissue oxygenation which can be used for a variety of clinical applications such as diagnosing and/or modeling a disease in the subject. In some examples, the method is performed by detecting one or more optical signals from the tissue using an optical detector, and processing the detected optical signals to characterize and map the parameter across the surface of the tissue. The methods and systems provided herein can prove accurate physics-based models of parameters such as tissue oxygenation across a heterogeneous tissue surface.