US 2003/0199769 A1Published application

Apparatus for high resolution imaging of moving organs

AssigneeOTI Ophthalmic Technologies Inc.

InventorsAdrian Podoleanu, John Rogers

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Abstract

Apparatus for high resolution imaging of a moving object comprises a source of low coherence light, an optical coherence tomography imaging instrument or a dual channel, optical coherence tomography/confocal imaging instrument, a transverse scanner, an interferometer, depth adjustment means, and interface optics. First and an optional second sensing blocks sense the axial and respectively the transverse position of the object. A splitting element is shared so that the interface optics and the sensing blocks have a common axis of light transmitted to and from the object. Timing means establishes a timing, and timing intervals and reference times for images as they are taken. The acceptability of each scanned image is determined according to predetermined criteria. A series of en-face OCT images, or of longitudinal OCT images of the object may be taken at different depths or transverse coordinates, and the stack of collected images is used to build 3D profiles of the object.

Claims40

Dependent claims

Apparatus for high resolution imaging of a moving object located at an object location, comprising:

a source of low coherence light;
an imaging instrument for scanning an object to be scanned, said imaging system being chosen from the group consisting of an optical coherence tomography imaging instrument and a dual channel optical coherence tomography/confocal imaging instrument:
transverse scanning means to effect transverse scanning of the object;
an interferometer in said respective optical coherence tomography imaging instrument;
depth adjustment means comprising electronically controllable optical path altering means for altering the optical path difference in said interferometer;
interface optics for transferring an optical beam from the respective transverse scanning means of said optical imaging system to said object located at said object location, and for transferring an optical output beam reflected and scattered from said object back to said optical imaging system;
a first sensing block for sensing the axial position of said object, and optionally a second sensing block for sensing the transverse position of said object;
a splitting element shared by said first sensing block, whereby the interface optics and said first sensing block have a common axis of the light being transmitted to and from the object;
timing means for establishing a timing reference for taking a series of images of the object, and for establishing timing intervals and reference times for said images as they are taken;
and
processing means for determining the acceptability of each scanned image according to predetermined criteria;
wherein a series of en-face OCT images, or pairs of en-face OCT and confocal images of the object at different depths, are taken by altering the optical path difference in said interferometer.

9 more elements

Apparatus for high resolution imaging of a moving object located at an object location, comprising:

a source of low coherence light;
an imaging instrument for scanning an object to be scanned, said imaging system being chosen from the group consisting of an optical coherence tomography imaging instrument and a dual channel optical coherence tomography/confocal imaging instrument
transverse scanning means to effect transverse scanning of the object;
an interferometer in said respective optical coherence tomography imaging instrument;
_p1 transverse coordinate adjustment means comprising electronically controllable optical path altering means for altering the rectangular transverse coordinate along an axis which is orthogonal to a transverse scanning axis, so as to scan a series of longitudinal images of the object;
interface optics for transferring an optical beam from the respective transverse scanning means of said optical imaging system to said object located at said object location, and for transferring an optical output beam reflected and scattered from said object back to said optical imaging system;
a first sensing block for sensing the axial position of said object, and a second sensing block for sensing the transverse position of said object;
a splitting element shared by said first sensing block and said second sensing block, whereby the interface optics and said first and second sensing block have a common axis of the light being transmitted to the object from said light source;
timing means for establishing a timing reference for taking a series of images of the object, and for establishing timing intervals and reference times for said images as they are taken;
and
processing means for determining the acceptability of each scanned image according to predetermined criteria;
wherein a series of longitudinal optical coherence tomography images, or pairs of longitudinal optical coherence tomography and confocal images, are taken for different values of a rectangular transverse coordinate along an axis orthogonal to the transverse scanning axis used for scanning said series of longitudinal images.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/117,322Filed 8 Apr 2002
Published: 23 Oct 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

A61B 3/102
Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions: for optical coherence tomography [OCT]
A61B 3/1025
Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions: for confocal scanning
G01B 9/0203
Combination with non-interferometric systems, i.e. for measuring the object: with imaging systems
G01B 9/02077
Caused by motion: of the object