Enhanced optical coherence tomography for anatomical mapping

• US 20080068560A1
• Filed: 10/18/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carmen Puliafito, Giovanni Gregori, Robert Knighton, Shuliang Jiao
• Original Assignee: Carmen Puliafito, Giovanni Gregori, Robert Knighton, Shuliang Jiao
• Inventors: Knighton, Robert, Puliafito, Carmen, Gregori, Giovanni, Jiao, Shuliang
• Granted Patent: US 7,505,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/102 for optical coherence tomography [OCT]
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 9/02044 Imaging in the frequency domain, e.g. by using a spectrometer
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 9/02089 Displaying the signal, e.g. for user interaction
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 9/02091 Tomographic interferometers, e.g. based on optical coherence

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus for anatomical mapping utilizing optical coherence tomography. In the present invention, 3-dimensional fundus intensity imagery can be acquired from a scanning of light back-reflected from an eye. The scanning can include spectral domain scanning, as an example. A fundus intensity image can be acquired in real-time. The 3-dimensional data set can be reduced to generate an anatomical mapping, such as an edema mapping and a thickness mapping. Optionally, a partial fundus intensity image can be produced from the scanning of the eye to generate an en face view of the retinal structure of the eye without first requiring a full segmentation of the 3-D data set. Advantageously, the system, method and apparatus of the present invention can provide quantitative three-dimensional information about the spatial location and extent of macular edema and other pathologies. This three-dimensional information can be used to determine the need for treatment, monitor the effectiveness of treatment and identify the return of fluid that may signal the need for re-treatment.

Claims

1. A method for generating a partial fundus image from a 3-D data set defined by Z-axis intensity information for a plurality of X and Y positions acquired by scanning the eye with an optical coherence tomographic (OCT) device, said method comprising the steps of:

segmenting the data to define a volume as a function of a selected depth within the eye and a selected range from that depth;

integrating the intensity information along line extending between the selected depth and the selected range to create a single intensity value at a plurality of X and Y positions; and

displaying a 2-D image of the integrated intensity values.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the selected depth corresponds to a landmark within the eye.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the landmark is the retina.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the 2-D image is used to register a 3-D OCT cross-section image.

5. A method for generating a partial fundus image from a 3-D data set defined by Z-axis intensity information for a plurality of X and Y positions acquired by scanning the eye with an optical coherence tomographic (OCT) device, said method comprising the steps of:

identifying a reference surface within the eye from the 3-D data set;

integrating the intensity information along a line extending between the surface and a selected range from that surface to create a single intensity value at a plurality of X and Y positions; and

displaying a 2-D image of the integrated intensity values.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the reference surface corresponds to an anatomical layer.

7. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the reference surface corresponds to a retinal layer.

8. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the reference surface is tilted with respect to XYZ coordinate system.

9. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the reference surface is mathematically defined.

10. A method for generating a partial fundus image from a 3-D data set defined by Z-axis intensity information for a plurality of X and Y positions acquired by scanning the eye with an optical coherence tomographic (OCT) device, said method comprising the steps of:

integrating a selected portion of the intensity information over a depth range greater than the axial resolution of the OCT device to create a single intensity value at a plurality of X and Y positions, said portion being selected to isolate a particular anatomical region within the eye; and

displaying a 2-D image of the integrated intensity values.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the anatomical region includes at least a portion of the retina.

12. A method for generating a partial fundus image from a 3-D data set defined by Z-axis intensity information for a plurality of X and Y positions acquired by scanning the eye with an optical coherence tomographic (OCT) device, said method comprising the steps of:

segmenting the data to identify a pair of spaced apart reference surfaces;

integrating the intensity information along a line extending between the surfaces to create a single intensity value at a plurality of X and Y positions; and

displaying a 2-D image of the integrated intensity values.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein one of the reference surfaces corresponds to an anatomical layer.

14. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein one of the reference surfaces corresponds to a retinal layer.

15. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein one of the reference surfaces is mathematically defined.

16. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the 2-D image is used to register a 3-D OCT cross-section image.

17. An apparatus for obtaining an image of the eye comprising:

an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, said system including a scanner for scanning a light beam in the X and Y directions over the eye, said system generating a plurality of sets of outputs, each set corresponding to varying intensities as a function of depth in the Z-axis at different X/Y positions; and

a processor for integrating a selected portion of the intensity information over a depth range greater than the axial resolution of the OCT device to create a single intensity value at a plurality of X and Y positions, said portion being selected to isolate a particular anatomical region within the eye.

18. A system as recited in claim 17, further including a display for displaying a 2-D image of the integrated intensity values.

19. A system as recited in claim 17, wherein the anatomical region includes at least a portion of the retina.

20. A system as recited in claim 17, wherein the selection of the portion of the intensity information performed by the processor includes identifying a reference surface within the eye.

21. A system as recited in claim 20, wherein the reference surface corresponds to an anatomical layer.

22. A system as recited in claim 20, wherein the reference surface corresponds to a retinal layer.

23. A system as recited in claim 20, wherein reference surface is mathematically defined.