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Publication Number
US-12239376-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
Handheld optical imaging devices and methods are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system includes an OCT probe that is configured as a hand-held probe for imaging an eye of a patient, the OCT probe includes: an OCT optical system configured to direct a source OCT signal to the eye and configured to capture OCT scan signal returning from the eye; and an on-probe display carried by a handle, wherein the on-probe display is configured to display imaging data of the eye of a patient to an operator during OCT imaging.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system with an OCT probe configured as a hand-held probe for imaging an eye of a patient. The OCT probe includes an OCT optical system configured to direct a source OCT signal to the eye and capture an OCT scan signal returning from the eye. Imaging data displayed during OCT imaging is carried by an on-probe display on a handle for real-time operator viewing.
The on-probe display is configured to display imaging data that comprises two B-scan images and an en-face image within an en-face image display area. The en-face image is an image of an average intensity projection of the eye of the patient. The system further includes an iris viewer integrated into the OCT probe, where an iris image is captured and displayed within an iris display area to assist operator targeting during hand-held imaging.
The invention also includes OCT and OCTA generation and guidance using a computer physically separate from, but in electronic communication with, the OCT probe. In some embodiments, a robotic motion-tracking mechanism is configured to stabilize OCT imaging, and a 3D imaging sensor captures head motion of the patient. The described guidance and stabilization are used to guide a hand-held OCT probe during imaging while generating and displaying OCT images on the on-probe display.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00011, clm-00012, and clm-00015. Across these claims, the coverage centers on a hand-held OCT probe with operator guidance via an on-probe display, specific on-probe image contents, iris viewing, robotic stabilization based on captured head motion, and OCT/OCTA generation by a separate computer.
Hand-held OCT probe with on-probe imaging display
An OCT system configured for hand-held eye imaging with an on-probe display carried by a handle that displays imaging data of the eye to an operator during OCT imaging.
Two B-scan images and average-intensity-projection en-face image
The imaging data displayed on the on-probe display comprise two B-scan images, and an en-face image is displayed within an en-face image display area, where the en-face image is an image of an average intensity projection of the eye.
Iris viewer integrated into the OCT probe with iris display area
The hand-held probe further comprises an iris viewer integrated into the OCT probe, capturing an iris image and displaying the iris image within an iris display area of the on-probe display.
Robotic motion-tracking mechanism configured to stabilize OCT imaging
An OCT system that includes a robotic motion-tracking mechanism configured to stabilize OCT imaging.
3D imaging sensor configured to capture head motion
An OCT system that includes a 3D imaging sensor configured to capture head motion of the patient.
Computer separate from but electronically connected to the OCT probe for OCT and OCTA generation
A computer physically separate from, but in electronic communication with the OCT probe, processes the OCT signal to generate OCT and OCTA images.
Guiding the hand-held OCT probe by on-probe display OCT images
The OCT images displayed on the on-probe display guide the hand-held OCT probe.
Stabilizing the OCT probe based on captured head motion
A method that captures head motion of the patient by a 3D imaging sensor and stabilizes the OCT probe by a robotic motion-tracking mechanism that carries the OCT probe.
Overall, the independent claims cover a hand-held OCT system that provides operator guidance through an on-probe display showing two B-scan images and an en-face image formed as an average intensity projection, with iris viewing and separate-computer OCT/OCTA generation. Additional coverage is directed to robotic stabilization based on head motion captured by a 3D imaging sensor.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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