Enhanced optical coherence tomography for anatomical mapping
A system, method and apparatus for anatomical mapping utilizing optical coherence tomography. In the present invention, 3-dimensional fundus intensity imagery can be acquired from a scanning of light back-reflected from an eye. The scanning can include spectral domain scanning, as an example. A fundus intensity image can be acquired in real-time. The 3-dimensional data set can be reduced to generate an anatomical mapping, such as an edema mapping and a thickness mapping. Optionally, a partial fundus intensity image can be produced from the scanning of the eye to generate an en face view of the retinal structure of the eye without first requiring a full segmentation of the 3-D data set. Advantageously, the system, method and apparatus of the present invention can provide quantitative three-dimensional information about the spatial location and extent of macular edema and other pathologies. This three-dimensional information can be used to determine the need for treatment, monitor the effectiveness of treatment and identify the return of fluid that may signal the need for re-treatment.
1. A method for generating a partial fundus image from a 3-D data set defined by Z-axis intensity information for a plurality of X and Y positions acquired by scanning an eye with an optical coherence tomographic (OCT) device, said method comprising the steps of:
segmenting the data to define a volume as a function of a selected depth within the eye and a selected range from that depth;
integrating the intensity information along a line extending between the selected depth and the selected range to create a single intensity value at a plurality of X and Y positions; and
displaying a 2-D image of the integrated intensity values.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the selected depth corresponds to a landmark within the eye.
3. A method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the landmark is the retina.
4. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the 2-D image is used to register a 3-D OCT cross-section image.
5. A method for generating a partial fundus image from a 3-D data set defined by Z-axis intensity information for a plurality of X and Y positions acquired by scanning an eye with an optical coherence tomographic (OCT) device, said method comprising the steps of:
identifying a reference surface within the eye from the 3-D data set;
integrating the intensity information along a line extending between the surface and a selected range from that surface to create a single intensity value at a plurality of X and Y positions; and
displaying a 2-D image of the integrated intensity values.
6. A method as recited in claim 5 , wherein the reference surface corresponds to an anatomical layer.
7. A method as recited in claim 5 , wherein the reference surface corresponds to a retinal layer.
8. A method as recited in claim 5 , wherein the reference surface is tilted with respect to XYZ coordinate system.
9. A method as recited in claim 5 , wherein the reference surface is mathematically defined.
10. A method for generating a partial fundus image from a 3-D data set defined by Z-axis intensity information for a plurality of X and Y positions acquired by scanning an eye with an optical coherence tomographic (OCT) device, said method comprising the steps of:
integrating a selected portion of the intensity information over a depth range greater than an axial resolution of the OCT device to create a single intensity value at a plurality of X and Y positions, said portion being selected to isolate a particular anatomical region within the eye; and
displaying a 2-D image of the integrated intensity values.
11. A method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the anatomical region includes at least a portion of the retina.
12. A method for generating a partial fundus image from a 3-D data set defined by Z-axis intensity information for a plurality of X and Y positions acquired by scanning an eye with an optical coherence tomographic (OCT) device, said method comprising the steps of:
segmenting the data to identify a pair of spaced apart reference surfaces; integrating the intensity information along a line extending between the surfaces to create a single intensity value at a plurality of X and Y positions; and
displaying a 2-D image of the integrated intensity values.
13. A method as recited in claim 12 , wherein one of the reference surfaces corresponds to an anatomical layer.
14. A method-as recited in claim 12 ., wherein one of the reference surfaces corresponds to a retinal layer.
15. A method as recited in claim 12 , wherein one of the reference surfaces is mathematically defined.
16. A method as recited in claim 12 , wherein the 2-D image is used to register a 3-D OCT cross-section image.
17. An apparatus for obtaining an image of an eye comprising:
an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, said system including a scanner for scanning a light beam in the X and Y directions over the eye, said system generating a plurality of sets of outputs, each set corresponding to varying intensities as a function of depth in the Z-axis at different X/Y positions; and
a processor for integrating a selected portion of the intensity information over a depth range greater than an axial resolution of the OCT device to create a single intensity value at a plurality of X and Y positions, said portion being selected to isolate a particular anatomical region within the eye.
18. A system as recited in claim 17 , further including a display for displaying a 2-D image of the integrated intensity values.
19. A system as recited in claim 17 , wherein the anatomical region includes at least a portion of the retina.
20. A system as recited in claim 17 , wherein the selection of the portion of the intensity information performed by the processor includes identifying a reference surface within the eye.
21. A system as recited in claim 20 , wherein the reference surface corresponds to an anatomical layer.
22. A system as recited in claim 20 , wherein the reference surface corresponds to a retinal layer.
23. A system as recited in claim 20 , wherein reference surface is mathematically defined.