METHODS FOR IMAGING OCULAR DEVICES USING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

• US 20120038888A1
• Filed: 08/10/2011
• Published: 02/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Inventors: Gu, Yeming, Hall, William Jordan, Mulcahy, Deborah J., Qiu, Yongxing, Tucker, Robert Carey, Bowden, Rebeca Kyker, Sullivan, Benjamin David
• Granted Patent: US 8,708,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/246
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/102 for optical coherence tomography [OCT]
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 11/025 by determining the shape of the object to be tested measuring contours or curvatures by optical means G01B11/24

Abstract

Described herein are methods for imaging ocular devices. The methods generally involve (a) applying a scattering agent to the ocular device; and (b) imaging the ocular device using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The methods described herein provide useful structural information about the surface of the device with high sensitivity.

Claims

1. A method for imaging an ocular device comprising:

a. applying a scattering agent to the ocular device, wherein the scattering agent comprises a pigment; and

b. imaging the ocular device using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pigment comprises Green Cr₂O₃, Yellow Iron Oxide, or any combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pigment comprises a water-insoluble salt that forms in situ on the surface of the device, throughout the device, or a combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the water-insoluble salt comprises a silver salt.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises submerging the ocular device in a solution comprising the scattering agent.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the ocular device is imaged in a solution of the scattering agent.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the ocular device is imaged in a solution of the scattering agent.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the ocular device is imaged in water, saline, or a buffered solution.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the ocular device is imaged in water, saline, or a buffered solution.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the ocular device is imaged in water, saline, or a buffered solution.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising after step (a) and prior to step (b) the steps of (i) rinsing the device and (ii) submerging the device in a solution of water, saline, or a buffered solution.

12. The method of claim 2, further comprising after step (a) and prior to step (b) the steps of (i) rinsing the device and (ii) submerging the device in a solution of water, saline, or a buffered solution.

13. The method of claim 3, further comprising after step (a) and prior to step (b) the steps of (i) rinsing the device and (ii) submerging the device in a solution of water, saline, or a buffered solution.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is imaged by a Frequency Domain OCT, Fourier-domain OCT (FDOCT), complex Fourier OCT, Optical Frequency-domain imaging, or swept-source OCT.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the ocular device is a contact lens.

16. The method of claim 2, wherein the ocular device is a contact lens.

17. The method of claim 3, wherein the ocular device is a contact lens.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the ocular device is a contact lens.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the ocular device is an intraocular lens.

20. The method of claim 2, wherein the ocular device is an intraocular lens.