TUNABLE-WAVELENGTH SCANNING LASER OPTHALMOSCOPE

眼部疾病的诊断关键依赖于视网膜的成像和 它的支持血管系统，包括脉络膜血管， 必须通过感官视网膜来观察。我们建议确定 一种最新的视网膜成像技术的诊断能力 仪器，扫描激光检眼镜(SLO)，可以通过以下方式增强 使用近红外、波长可调的激光光源。我们的 SLO与可调钛宝石相结合的初步实验 激光表明，仔细的波长调谐应该可以使 更好地描述视网膜下结构，如脉络膜血管 表明眼病的特殊新血管-尽管 眼下覆盖的视网膜层使这一景象变得模糊。这项研究 该计划将包括连接一个连续可调的Ti：蓝宝石激光器 在700-950 nm范围内，使用扫描激光检眼镜和摄像 在这个范围内的眼底图像。将对图像进行分析 对于存在的血管系统和其他细节没有被固定的- 波长成像系统。如果临床上有意义的结果是 一旦获得，商业激光光源的开发将在 第二阶段计划，将是新一代诊断的关键 乐器。

Diagnosis of eye diseases depends critically on imaging of the retina and its supporting vasculature, including the choroidal blood vessels, which must be viewed through the sensory retina. We propose to determine whether the diagnostic capabilities of one of the newest retinal imaging instruments, the scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO), can be enhanced by the use of near-infrared, wavelength-tunable laser source. Our preliminary experiments in combining the SLO with a tunable Ti:sapphire laser indicate that careful wavelength tuning should make it possible to better characterize sub-retinal structures such as choroidal vessels - in particular new vessels indicative of eye disease - in spite of the overlying retinal layers which obscure this view at present. The research plan would involve interfacing a TI: sapphire laser, continuously tunable over the 700-950 nm range, with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope and taking images of the ocular fundus over that range. The images would be analyzed for the presence of vasculature and other detail not observed by fixed- wavelength imaging systems. If clinically significant results were obtained, the development of a commercial laser source would proceed in a Phase II program, and would be the key to a new generation of diagnostic instruments.