Near Infrared Detector for Advanced Opthamology

描述（由申请人提供）：一些用于诊断和理解致盲性视网膜疾病的最有用的工具依赖于光谱反射率的使用。这些工具的改进，特别是在过去的十年里，极大地提高了我们获得人类视网膜极高分辨率图像的能力。特别是，扫描激光眼科检查已被证明是一项重要的技术，显微视野，心理物理学和视觉神经科学的研究，通过成像锥体马赛克，同时向单个锥体传递刺激。由于在视网膜成像过程中实现了前所未有的分辨率，因此对人眼看不见或难以察觉的较长波长的光的需求越来越大。考虑到人眼的反应和增加的光吸收，使用1000到1100nm之间的波长是最合适的解决方案。不幸的是，虽然有几家供应商在这个波长范围内提供足够的光源，但没有任何合适的光电探测器。因此，本研究的目标是开发一种雪崩光电二极管（APD）模块，该模块在80nm至1050nm范围内具有出色的响应，可与现有的扫描激光检眼镜兼容。我们提出的解决方案将使用一种新颖的制造工艺来增强APD对近红外辐射的响应性。如果成功，我们的研究小组将开发用于眼科检查和其他健康科学的接收器模块。在第一阶段，我们将通过组装定制的近红外增强接收器APD模块来演示该方法的可行性。这将涉及APD工艺开发和定制宽带放大电路的关键设计。这两个组件将在RMD进行测试，与其他商业设备进行比较，并部署在加州大学伯克利分校视光学院的扫描激光检眼镜测试装置中。第一阶段工作的成功完成将为广泛的第二阶段项目奠定基础，在第二阶段，我们将调查APD的可靠性、制造和包装问题。此外，我们在加州大学伯克利分校的研究合作者将使用早期版本的接收器进行视觉阈值测试，并记录比目前应用的照明波长更长的视网膜图像。公共卫生相关性：辐射监测设备公司提议开发一种对近红外辐射的响应明显高于任何现有产品的接收器模块。该模块将促进新的成像技术，让视网膜专家更有效地利用现有的诊断成像仪器。特别是，在健康和患病的眼睛中进行更准确的视觉阈值研究将是可行的。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Some of the most useful tools for diagnosis and understanding of blinding retinal diseases rely on the use of spectral reflectance. Improvements to these tools, especially over the past decade, have greatly advanced our ability to achieve extremely high-resolution images of the human retina. In particular, scanning laser ophthalmoscopy has proven to be an important technique for studies of microperimetry, psychophysics and visual neuroscience by imaging the cone mosaic while simultaneously delivering stimuli to single cones. Due to the unprecedented resolution now achieved during retinal imaging, there is an increasing need for longer wavelength light that is invisible or imperceptible to the human eye. Bounded by human eye response and increased optical absorption, the use of wavelengths between 1000 and 1100 nm is the most suitable solution. Unfortunately, while there are several venders providing sufficient light sources across this wavelength range, there are not any suitable photodetectors. Therefore, the goal of this proposed research effort is to develop an avalanche photodiode (APD) module with exceptional response from 80nm to 1050 nm, that wil be compatible with established scaning laser ophthalmoscopes. Our proposed solution will use a novel fabrication process to enhance the APD's responsivity to near-infrared radiation. If successful, our research team will develop the receiver module useful for ophthalmoscopy and other health sciences. In Phase I, we will demonstrate feasibility of the approach by assembling a custom near-infrared enhanced receiver APD module. This will involve APD process development and the critical design of a custom wideband amplifier circuit. The two components will be tested at RMD, compared with other commercial units, and deployed in a scanning laser ophthalmoscopy test fixture at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry. Successful completion of the Phase I effort will form the foundation for an extensive Phase II program, where we will investigate APD reliability, manufacturing and packaging concerns. In addition, our research collaborators at the University of California, Berkeley, will use early versions of the receiver to perform visual threshold testing and record retinal images with illumination wavelengths longer than presently applied. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc. proposes to develop a receiver module with response to near- infrared radiation that is significantly higher than any currently available product. This module will promote new imaging technologies and let retinal specialist utilize established diagnostic imaging instruments in a much more effective manner. In particular, much more accurate visual threshold studies in both the healthy and diseased eye will be feasible.