Smartphone OCT Imaging With Visible-Wavelength Signal Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing OCT systems lack low-cost and portable options for clinical diagnostics, and there is a lack of integration of smartphone cameras for OCT data collection.
Innovation Solution
A smartphone-integrated OCT system that uses the smartphone camera to capture interferometric OCT data at visible wavelengths, leveraging built-in components for detection, processing, and display, with optional use of external components to convert non-visible wavelengths into visible light detectable by the smartphone camera.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional OCT systems are used, then imaging quality and diagnostic capability are maintained, but system cost and portability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, specialized OCT imaging components with inexpensive, commercially available smartphone camera modules. The smartphone's existing camera sensor, lens, and processing capabilities are leveraged to perform OCT imaging functions, dramatically reducing system cost while maintaining adequate diagnostic capability for clinical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The smartphone serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the image sensor for OCT data collection, provides computational power for real-time image processing, offers wireless connectivity for data transmission, and displays imaging results. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If traditional OCT systems are used, then imaging performance is maintained, but portability and accessibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate components (imaging sensor, processing unit, display, and communication modules) into a single integrated smartphone device. This consolidation creates a portable handheld system that maintains imaging performance while enabling mobility and accessibility in diverse clinical settings including primary care and low-resource environments.
3Device complexity
If smartphone camera is used for OCT data collection, then system cost and portability are improved, but wavelength detection capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external wavelength conversion component that acts as an intermediary between the light source and smartphone camera sensor. This converter translates wavelengths outside the camera's native sensitivity range into visible wavelengths that the smartphone sensor can detect, thereby extending the system's wavelength versatility without requiring specialized expensive sensors.
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 low-cost, portable OCT devices for clinical diagnostics, providing real-time visualization and processing of OCT data directly on a smartphone, enhancing accessibility in primary care and low-resource environments.
Implementation Method 1
capture interferometric OCT data at visible wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
The light signal is generated by reflection from a sample
Implementation Method 3
use external components (e.g., upconverting nanoparticles and the like) to convert wavelengths outside the visible range into visible light that is detectable by the smartphone camera
Data Source
AI summary
A smartphone-integrated OCT system to leverage the built-in components of smartphones for detection and processing, and/or display of OCT data. The smartphone-integrated optical coherence tomography system includes an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, a smartphone, and a spectrometer configuration of optical components coupled to the optical coherence tomography system and the smartphone.