Phase Contrast OCT for Non-Invasive Imaging of Retinovascular Disease

描述（由申请人提供）：自20世纪60年代引入以来，荧光素血管造影术（FA）一直是视网膜血管诊断的金标准。然而，FA是昂贵的，侵入性的，耗时的，这限制了其作为筛查工具的有用性。作为一种潜在的非侵入性替代FA诊断视网膜血管疾病，我们已经开发出一种成像方法称为相位对比光学相干断层扫描（PC-OCT）。我们的技术使用专门的软件分析从临床可用的光学相干断层扫描成像系统获得的数据，以提供三维血管造影的附加功能。目前，美国的大部分眼科护理都是由验光师进行的，在许多服务不足的社区，他们是唯一的提供者。不幸的是，由于FA需要静脉注射，大多数验光师无法进行FA。因此，视网膜血管诊断仅限于临床检查和眼底照相。接受验光护理的患者将受益于非侵入性替代FA，以改善视网膜血管疾病的筛查，特别是在这些服务不足的社区。PC-OCT有可能提供一种低成本和方便的血管筛查方法，可以及时转诊给视网膜专家，并改善视力。为了推进PC-OCT作为视网膜血管成像工具，我们有以下目标：（1）将PC-OCT软件开发成更快的自动化平台，以应用于商业谱域（SD-OCT）系统;（2）优化光学扫描仪成像散瞳和非散瞳的性能;（3）证明PC-OCT作为糖尿病视网膜病变宽视野筛查诊断的可行性。PC-OCT成像的可视化能力将直接与眼底照相进行比较，眼底照相是眼科护理专业人员的当前诊断标准。第二阶段的成功完成将产生一个自动化软件包，该软件包能够从商业SD-OCT系统的原始数据中生成PC-OCT微血管图像，从而使所有眼科护理从业者都能方便地进行血管成像。这可能会导致更好的质量检测视网膜血管疾病的能力，并可能 改善视觉效果。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Since its introduction in the 1960's, fluorescein angiography (FA) has been the gold standard for retinal vascular diagnosis. However, FA is costly, invasive, and time-consuming, which limits its usefulness as a screening tool. As a potential non-invasive alternative to FA for diagnosing retinovascular disease, we have developed an imaging method called phase contrast optical coherence tomography (PC-OCT). Our technology uses specialized software analysis of data acquired from clinically available optical coherence tomography imaging systems to provide an additional functionality of three-dimensional angiography. The majority of eye care in the US is currently performed by optometrists, and in many underserved communities, they are the sole providers. Unfortunately, most optometrists cannot perform FA due to its requirement for intravenous injection. Therefore, retinal vascular diagnostics are limited to clinical exam and fundus photography. Patients receiving optometric care would benefit from a non-invasive alternative to FA for improved screening of retinovascular diseases, especially in these underserved communities. PC-OCT has the potential to provide a low-cost and convenient vascular screening method, which could result in timely referrals to retinal specialists, as well as improved visual outcomes. To advance PC-OCT as a retinovascular imaging tool, we have the following goals: (1) develop PC-OCT software into a faster automated platform for application to commercial spectral domain (SD-OCT) systems; (2) optimize optical scanner performance for imaging both dilated and non-dilated pupils; and (3) demonstrate the feasibility of PC-OCT as a wide-field screening diagnostic for diabetic retinopathy. The visualization capabilities of PC-OCT imaging will be compared directly against fundus photography, the current diagnostic standard for eye care professionals. Successful completion of Phase II will result in an automated software package capable of producing PC-OCT microvascular images from the raw data of a commercial SD-OCT system, allowing for convenient vascular imaging accessible to all eye care practitioners. This could lead to better-quality detection capabilities for retinovascular disease and potentially improved visual outcomes.