Stabilized retinal imaging with adaptive optics
Inventors
Hammer, Daniel X. • Ferguson, R. Daniel • Iftimia, Nicusor V. • Ustun, Teoman E.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-8444268-B2
Publication Date
2013-05-21
Expiration Date
2027-04-24
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Abstract
A system provides an optical image of an object. A first module tracks a reference feature of the object. A second module includes a source for an imaging beam, a scanning device to move the imaging beam along a portion of the object and a detection device receives a signal associated with an image of the portion of the object. The first module controls the position of the imaging beam relative to the reference feature to correct for the motion of the object. A third module detects a distortion of the object and compensates for the distortion.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system for optical imaging of the retina that combines three main modules: a retinal tracking module, an imaging module, and an adaptive optics (AO) module. The first module tracks a reference feature of the retina, enabling correction of eye motion. The second module generates high-resolution images using an imaging beam, a scanning device, and a detection device. The third module detects and corrects for optical distortions using a wavefront sensor and a compensator, such as a deformable mirror.
This system addresses the issue encountered in adaptive optics instruments where high magnification, necessary to resolve small retinal structures, results in a small field of view that can easily shift due to eye movements. Traditional AO systems are also limited by the need for stable pupil centration and suffer from image location uncertainty relative to retinal landmarks. The invention overcomes these problems by integrating retinal tracking to maintain the imaging beam's position relative to a fixed reference feature, and adaptive optics to correct optical aberrations dynamically, thereby stabilizing the imaging field.
The system further allows for wide-field and narrow-field imaging, creation of image mosaics, and precise delivery of diagnostic, stimulus, or therapeutic beams to specific retinal locations. It can combine multiple imaging modalities, such as scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography, with the AO and tracking technologies for comprehensive diagnostic and treatment capabilities. The system enables real-time correction for eye, head, and pupil movement, and compensates for distortions, enhancing imaging utility in clinical and research settings.
Claims Coverage
The patent claims include two main independent features, covering both an apparatus and a method for stabilized retinal imaging with adaptive optics.
Apparatus with modules for retinal tracking, imaging, and adaptive optics correction
The apparatus comprises: - A first module tracking a reference feature of the retina of the eye. - A second module including a source for an imaging beam, a scanning device to move the beam along a portion of the retina, and a detection device to receive a signal associated with the image. The first module controls the imaging beam's position relative to the reference feature to correct eye motion. - A third module comprising a wavefront sensor to detect optical distortion and a wavefront compensator to correct the optical distortion in the imaging beam scanned on the retina. This modular configuration enables stable, motion-corrected, and aberration-free imaging of the retina.
Method for motion-corrected and distortion-compensated retinal imaging
The method includes: 1. Tracking a reference feature of the retina of the eye. 2. Scanning an imaging beam along a portion of the retina. 3. Controlling the position of the imaging beam relative to the reference feature to correct for eye motion. 4. Detecting, by a wavefront sensor, a signal associated with an image of the portion of the retina scanned. 5. Compensating for optical distortion of the retinal image by correcting the imaging beam scanned on the retina. This process allows for the acquisition of high-quality, stable retinal images despite movements or distortions.
In summary, the claims protect an integrated solution for optical retinal imaging that combines motion tracking, precise scanning, and adaptive optics to achieve stabilized, distortion-corrected images for both apparatus and method implementations.
Stated Advantages
Enables early detection and precision laser treatment of retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Provides high-resolution, stabilized, and aberration-corrected retinal images by compensating for eye motion and optical distortions in real-time.
Facilitates precise targeting and delivery of therapeutic or stimulus beams to specific retinal features while confining any damage to the intended area.
Improves clinical utility and operator workflow by integrating wide-field and narrow-field imaging, and providing an interface for accurate localization and montage image creation.
Can be used in vision research to stimulate and study individual retinal cells and mechanisms of vision.
Allows for the creation of high-magnification image mosaics over a wider field, overcoming the limitations of small fields of view in traditional AO instruments.
Reduces speckle noise in scanning laser ophthalmoscopy images through the use of broadband superluminescent diodes.
Documented Applications
Diagnosis, early detection, and precision laser treatment of retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Vision research studies, including stimulation and investigation of individual ganglion cells, photoreceptors, and other retinal cells.
High-resolution imaging and creation of montage/mosaic images for broader retinal visualization.
Precision delivery of therapeutic beams for microsurgery targeting specific retinal features such as RPE cells, feeder vessels, drusen, small tumors, microaneurysms, and epiretinal membranes.
Use in studies to increase understanding of vision mechanisms by allowing precise stimulus delivery and measurements.
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