Rotating OCT Scanning Assembly for Eye Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) techniques face challenges in achieving three-dimensional imaging of rotationally symmetric samples like the human eye, particularly in adapting focal scan trajectories to complex structures without axial symmetry, which can lead to optical distortion and the need for complex scanning members.
Innovation Solution
A scanning and focusing assembly that rotates about a base axis, allowing for a focal scan trajectory to be generated that is rotationally symmetric, even if initially free of axial symmetry, using radially asymmetric components and a controller to adjust the scanning member for one-dimensional scanning, enabling adaptation to complex eye structures without requiring two-dimensional scanning capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a radially asymmetric focusing device is used to adapt to complex eye structures, then the adaptability to different eye surfaces is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a radially asymmetric focusing device that creates different focal scan trajectories for different angular ranges. The asymmetric design allows the system to adapt to the complex three-dimensional structures of the eye (cornea, lens, retina) without requiring a two-dimensional scanning member, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the focal scan trajectory by varying the angle of incidence of the light beam through rotation of the scanning and focusing assembly. This dynamic adjustment allows adaptation to different eye surfaces and structures without changing the physical configuration of the scanning members.
2Area of stationary object
If the scanning and focusing assembly is rotated to generate rotationally symmetric focal scan figure, then the imaging coverage of rotationally symmetric samples is improved, but the trajectory design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from designing complex two-dimensional trajectories to rotating a simple one-dimensional focal scan trajectory around an axis. This dimensional reduction simplifies the trajectory design while achieving comprehensive three-dimensional imaging coverage of rotationally symmetric samples like the human eye.
Solution Approach 2:
A single asymmetric focal scan trajectory, when rotated, generates a universal imaging pattern that can cover multiple eye structures (anterior segment, lens, retina) with different geometries, making the system versatile for various imaging applications without requiring multiple specialized trajectories.
3Device complexity
If a one-dimensional scanning member is used instead of two-dimensional scanning, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to cover complex three-dimensional structures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric focusing device is pre-configured with specific optical properties that automatically generate the appropriate focal scan trajectories for different angular ranges. This preliminary design eliminates the need for complex real-time control of two-dimensional scanning, achieving simple hardware with three-dimensional imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The radially asymmetric focusing device acts as an intermediary that transforms the simple one-dimensional scanning motion into complex three-dimensional focal scan patterns. The asymmetric optics mediate between the simple scanning input and the complex imaging output, enabling dimensional transformation without increasing scanning member 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
This approach allows for cost-effective, reliable three-dimensional OCT imaging of the human eye with reduced optical distortion, enabling precise tomographic imaging by adjusting the focal scan trajectory to fit within the eye's dimensions and maintaining consistent axial resolution across different sections.
Implementation Method 1
a focusing device for focusing a beam of imaging radiation to produce a focused beam of imaging radiation having a focus
Implementation Method 2
a scanning member for scanning the beam of imaging radiation; wherein the scanning and focusing assembly includes a controller coupled to the drive unit and the scanning member and configured to control drive unit and/or the scanning member to cause movement of the focus along a predetermined trajectory
Implementation Method 3
The light from the sample is superimposed with coherent light of a reference branch. Optical Coherence Tomography is a non-invasive, and often non-contact, imaging technique
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique for optical coherence tomography is provided. As to a device aspect of the technique, an imaging device 28 comprises a base 30 defining a rotation axis 32, a scanning and focusing assembly 34 mounted to the base 30 for rotation about the rotation axis 32, and a drive unit 50 for rotationally driving the scanning and focusing assembly 34 about the rotation axis 32. The scanning and focusing assembly 34 includes a focusing device 40 for focusing a beam 36 of imaging radiation to produce a focused beam 44, 44a, 44b of imaging radiation having a focus 42, 42a, 42b, a scanning member 38 for scanning the beam 36 of imaging radiation, and a controller 45 coupled to the drive unit 50 and the scanning member 38 and configured to control the scanning member 38 to cause movement of the focus 42, 42a, 42b along a predetermined trajectory 46, 46a, 46b with respect to the scanning and focusing assembly 34.