Microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography for image-aided positioning of glaucoma surgery

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Glaucoma surgery aims to create new aqueous humor outflow pathways.
• Current surgical methods rely on manual instrument manipulation.
• Enhanced visualization and guidance can improve surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a microscope-integrated, real-time, high-speed swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) system for glaucoma surgery.
• To provide precise positioning and measurement of surgical instruments during the procedure.
• To assess the system's effectiveness as a surgical positioning tool.

Main Methods:

• Development of a microscope-integrated SS-OCT system utilizing a 1310-nm light source.
• Design of a special adjustable mechanism for surgical suitability.
• Implementation of a two-graphic processing unit architecture for accelerated data processing and real-time rendering.
• Integration of microscope imaging with SS-OCT grid-inserted images for instrument tracking.

Main Results:

• The integrated system demonstrated real-time monitoring and measurement of surgical instrument position.
• Simulated experiments confirmed the system's capability to guide instruments accurately.
• The system proved effective in providing precise localization during simulated surgical tasks.

Conclusions:

• The developed microscope-integrated SS-OCT system is a viable and effective positioning tool for glaucoma surgery.
• This technology has the potential to enhance surgical precision and safety in ophthalmology.
• Real-time OCT guidance offers significant advantages for creating aqueous outflow pathways.