Handheld contact-type OCT and color fundus system for retinal imaging

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Simultaneous imaging of retinal structures and the fundus is crucial for comprehensive eye examinations.
• Existing systems often require multiple devices, increasing complexity and space requirements.
• Pediatric eye imaging presents unique challenges due to patient movement and the need for efficient procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the proof of concept for a handheld, contact-type system integrating optical coherence tomography (OCT) and wide-field digital fundus color photography.
• To assess the feasibility of this combined imaging approach for pediatric patients, particularly in operating room and neonatal intensive care unit settings.

Main Methods:

• Development of a compact, modular handheld device combining OCT and fundus imaging capabilities.
• Utilizing a direct contact probe design to enhance stability and reduce motion artifacts.
• Evaluating the system's performance for simultaneous retinal imaging and fundus photography.

Main Results:

• Successful proof of concept for a handheld system capable of simultaneous OCT and fundus imaging.
• Demonstrated reduction in motion artifacts due to probe contact and stable positioning.
• Simplified alignment and expanded field of view achieved with the integrated design.

Conclusions:

• The proposed integrated handheld system offers a feasible solution for simultaneous OCT and fundus imaging.
• This technology has potential applications in pediatric ophthalmology, especially during examination under anesthesia and in the NICU.
• The compact, single-device design streamlines imaging workflows and reduces equipment needs.