IP Library Granted Patent US 9,717,405
Granted Patent B2
US 9,717,405 · App. 14/858,541 · Granted Aug 1, 2017

Vitreoretinal membrane characterization using optical coherence tomography

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,717,405
App. No.
14/858,541
Granted
Aug 1, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan data is used to automatically detect and characterize vitreoretinal membranes in a spatially precise manner to generate a mask image. The mask image may characterize various aspects of a vitreoretinal membrane. The mask image is then overlaid with an optical image of the retina to enable visualization of the vitreoretinal membrane.

Claims (48)

1. A method for characterizing membranes at vitreoretinal interfaces, the method comprising:

receiving 3-dimensional (3D) scan data of a vitreoretinal interface collected using optical coherence tomography, wherein the 3D scan data includes line scan data for a plurality of lines;

using the line scan data corresponding to a first line included in the plurality of lines at the vitreoretinal interface, detecting the vitreoretinal interface over the first line;

based on the vitreoretinal interface detected, detecting membrane locations along the first line, the membrane locations indicative of a vitreoretinal membrane; and

based on the membrane locations, generating a first line mask over the first line.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

using a plurality of line masks, including the first line mask, corresponding to the plurality of lines, generating a mask image of the vitreoretinal interface, wherein the mask image describes membrane regions in 2-dimensions (2D) comprised of the membrane locations.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

overlaying the mask image onto a corresponding optical image of the vitreoretinal interface to generate an overlay image; and

outputting the overlay image to a user.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the 3D scan data and the optical image correspond to a region-of-interest of the vitreoretinal interface selected by the user.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein outputting the overlay image further comprises:

outputting the overlay image to an oculus of a surgical microscope.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein receiving the 3D scan data further comprises:

collecting the 3D scan data using the surgical microscope.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the membrane locations are indicative of at least one of: a detached membrane; an attached membrane; a membrane thickness; a membrane position; and a membrane type.

8. An image processing system for characterizing membranes at vitreoretinal interfaces, the image processing system comprising:

a processor enable to access memory media storing instructions executable by the processor to:

receive 3-dimensional (3D) scan data of a vitreoretinal interface collected using optical coherence tomography, wherein the 3D scan data includes line scan data for a plurality of lines;

using the line scan data corresponding to a first line included in the plurality of lines at the vitreoretinal interface, detect the vitreoretinal interface over the first line;

based on the vitreoretinal interface detected, detect membrane locations along the first line, the membrane locations indicative of a vitreoretinal membrane; and

based on the membrane locations, generate a first line mask over the first line.

9. The image processing system of claim 8 , further comprising instructions to:

using a plurality of line masks, including the first line mask, corresponding to the plurality of lines, generate a mask image of the vitreoretinal interface, wherein the mask image describes membrane regions in 2-dimensions (2D) comprised of the membrane locations.

10. The image processing system of claim 9 , further comprising instructions to:

overlay the mask image onto a corresponding optical image of the vitreoretinal interface to generate an overlay image; and

output the overlay image to a user.

11. The image processing system of claim 10 , wherein the 3D scan data and the optical image correspond to a region-of-interest of the vitreoretinal interface selected by the user.

12. The image processing system of claim 10 , wherein the instructions to output the overlay image further comprise instructions to:

output the overlay image to an oculus of a surgical microscope.

13. The image processing system of claim 12 , wherein the instructions to receive the 3D scan data further comprise instructions to:

collect the 3D scan data using the surgical microscope.

14. The image processing system of claim 8 , wherein the membrane locations are indicative of at least one of: a detached membrane; an attached membrane; a membrane thickness; a membrane position; and a membrane type.

15. An article of manufacture comprising non-transitory memory media for characterizing membranes at vitreoretinal interfaces, the memory media storing instructions executable by a processor to:

receive 3-dimensional (3D) scan data of a vitreoretinal interface collected using optical coherence tomography, wherein the 3D scan data includes line scan data for a plurality of lines;

using the line scan data corresponding to a first line included in the plurality of lines at the vitreoretinal interface, detect the vitreoretinal interface over the first line;

based on the vitreoretinal interface detected, detect membrane locations along the first line, the membrane locations indicative of a vitreoretinal membrane; and

based on the membrane locations, generate a first line mask over the first line, wherein the membrane locations are indicative of at least one of: a detached membrane; an attached membrane; a membrane thickness; a membrane position; and a membrane type.

16. The article of manufacture of claim 15 , further comprising instructions to:

using a plurality of line masks, including the first line mask, corresponding to the plurality of lines, generate a mask image of the vitreoretinal interface, wherein the mask image describes membrane regions in 2-dimensions (2D) comprised of the membrane locations.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 16 , further comprising instructions to:

overlay the mask image onto a corresponding optical image of the vitreoretinal interface to generate an overlay image; and

output the overlay image to a user.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 17 , wherein the 3D scan data and the optical image correspond to a region-of-interest of the vitreoretinal interface selected by the user.

19. The article of manufacture of claim 17 , wherein the instructions to output the overlay image further comprise instructions to:

output the overlay image to an oculus of a surgical microscope.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 19 , wherein the instructions to receive the 3D scan data further comprise instructions to:

collect the 3D scan data using the surgical microscope.

Assignments (3)
CONFIRMATORY DEED OF ASSIGNMENT EFFECTIVE APRIL 8, 2019 Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: NOVARTIS AG
To: ALCON INC.
Reel/Frame 051454/0788 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2015
From: REN, HUGANG; YU, LINGFENG
To: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
Reel/Frame 036602/0603 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2015
From: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
To: NOVARTIS AG
Reel/Frame 036602/0782 →