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Method and apparatus for accurately measuring the transmittance of blood within a retinal vessel

  • US 5,935,076 A
  • Filed: 02/10/1997
  • Issued: 08/10/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of measuring the transmittance of blood within a retinal vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

  • illuminating the retinal vessel and at least a portion of the background fundus within an eye;

    detecting the intensity of light reflected from illuminated portions of the eye;

    identifying a portion of the detected light intensities as corresponding to light that has been transmitted through a retinal vessel, wherein said identifying step comprises matching a portion of the detected light intensities with a predetermined pattern corresponding to the intensity of light that has propagated through a retinal vessel;

    constructing an intensity profile function based upon the identified portion of the detected light intensities, wherein the intensity profile function approximates the intensity of light transmitted through the retinal vessel as a function of retinal vessel position, and wherein said constructing step comprises compensating for at least some of the reflections of light from the retinal vessel which occurred prior to propagation of the light through the retinal vessel; and

    determining the transmittance of blood within the retinal vessel based upon the intensity profile function.

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