High Resolution and High Contrast Near-IR Imaging of the Human Fundus

描述（由申请人提供）：第一阶段SBIR将证明一种共聚焦扫描激光检眼镜（cSLO）设计的可行性，该检眼镜可以拍摄人眼的高分辨率活体图像。该cSLO将使用长波源，以允许比传统的cSLO更深的成像。更重要的是，该系统将集成微机电自适应光学（MEMS-AO），以动态校正目前阻碍这些深层高分辨率成像的光学像差。通过结合这两种技术，将有可能首次在体内观察到目前人眼无法分辨的特征。因为许多退行性视网膜疾病起源于这些深层，这样的系统有望提高我们对许多使人衰弱的眼病的理解和治疗能力。在第二阶段构建工作原型后，Iris AO将通过主要关注年龄相关性黄斑变性（AMD）来完善和测试它。AMD特别适合研究，因为它首先表现在眼睛深处，远远超出了传统系统的范围，因为它是导致60岁以上成年人法定失明的主要原因。第一阶段的研究将集中在(1)自适应光学（AO）子系统优化，可变形镜控制，(2)MEMS反射镜涂层和封装，(3)宽视场成像和固定发展，(4)实验长波成像，(5)ZEMAX光学系统的详细设计。第二阶段的原型设计和第三阶段的商业化将产生通用的深度成像cSLO。眼病使成千上万的美国人失明，并使数百万人的视力下降。根据这一提议，新的成像技术将被开发出来，以对抗使人衰弱的眼病，从而更早地发现疾病，更快地进行药物临床试验，更好地了解医学。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Phase I SBIR will prove the feasibility of a design for a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (cSLO) that can take high-resolution in-vivo images of the human eye. This cSLO will use long wavelength sources to permit deeper imaging than conventional cSLOs. More importantly, the system will incorporate micro-electro-mechanical adaptive optics (MEMS-AO) to dynamically correct the optical aberrations that currently preclude high-resolution imaging of these deeper layers. By combining these 2 technologies, it will be possible for the first time to observe, in vivo, currently irresolvable features of the human eye. Because many degenerative retinal diseases originate in these deep layers, such a system promises to boost our understanding of and ability to treat a host of debilitating eye diseases. After construction of a working prototype during Phase II, Iris AO will refine and test it by focusing primarily on age-related macular degenereration (AMD). AMD is particularly appropriate for study because it is first manifest deep in the eye, far beyond the reach of conventional systems and because it is the leading cause of legal blindness in adults over age 60. Phase I research will focus on (1) adaptive optics (AO) subsystem optimization deformable mirror control, (2) MEMS mirror coating and packaging, (3) wide field imaging and fixation development, (4) experimental long wavelength imaging, (5) detailed ZEMAX optical system design. Phase II prototyping and Phase III commercialization will result in a general purpose, deep-imaging cSLO. Eye disease blinds thousands of Americans and degrades the eye sight of millions more. Under this proposal, new imaging technology will be developed to fight debilitating eye disease resulting in earlier disease detection, faster drug clinical trials, and better medical understanding.