EARLY DETECTION OF AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

该项目的长期目标是提供新的成像仪器，用于快速、无创和频繁地测量与年龄相关性黄斑变性（AMD）和年龄相关性黄斑病变（ARM）相关的视网膜和视网膜下变化。目前的治疗依赖于早期发现。传统的方法要么不能提供明确的检测和定位，要么是侵入性的和昂贵的。该方法是将多重散射光断层扫描仪（MSTO）集成到共焦成像系统中，以获得ARM和AMD的定性和定量诊断。在第一阶段期间，基于地形扫描系统TopSS（激光诊断技术公司）开发了原型MPERS系统，使用垂直腔面发射激光器阵列（VCSEL）作为共焦成像和多重散射光成像的照明源。进行了临床可行性研究。开发了图像采集软件和初步分析软件。在第二阶段，我们将开发一个产品版本的TopSS/MPEG4系统。将探索新的照明源，以在第一阶段未测试的条件下研究光-组织相互作用。将在多个研究中心进行广泛的临床研究。将开发软件分析工具并将其集成到MPEG4仪器中，以测量三维视网膜下结构及其随时间的变化。拟定商业应用：随着多重散射光断层扫描仪的增加功能及其在AMD和其他视网膜疾病检测中的应用，地形扫描系统的市场将大大扩大。一旦我们成功地实施了一种自动化程序来成像和量化dmsen，从而导致AMD的早期检测，普通眼科医生和验光师甚至可能更广泛地使用。

The long term objective of this project is to provide novel imaging instrumentation for rapid, noninvasive, and frequent measurements of retinal and subretinal changes associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and age-related maculopathy (ARM). Current treatments depend upon early detection. Conventional methods either fail to provide clear-cut detection and localization, or are invasive and costly. The approach here is to integrate a multiply scattered light tomograph (MSLT) into a confocal imaging system to obtain qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of ARM and AMD. During Phase I, a prototype MSLT system was developed based on Topographic Scanning System TopSS (Laser Diagnostic Technologies, Inc.), using a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser Arrays (VCSELs) as the illumination source for both confocal imaging and multiply scattered light imaging. Clinical feasibility studies were carried out. Image acquisition software and preliminary analysis software were developed. In Phase II, we will develop a product version TopSS/MSLT system. New illumination sources will be explored to study light-tissue interactions under conditions not tested in Phase I. Extensive clinical studies will be performed at multiple sites. The software analysis tools will be developed and integrated into the MSLT instrument to measure 3-dimensional subretinal structures and their changes over time. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: With the added capability of Multiply Scattered Light Tomography and its application to the detection of AMD and other retinal disease, the market for the Topographic Scanning System would vastly expend. Once we successfully implemented an automated procedure to image and quantify dmsen that leads to an early detection of AMD, an even wider use by general ophthalmologists and optometrists seems possible.