Method for correcting patient motion when obtaining retina volume using optical coherence tomography

1. A computer-implemented method of correcting for motion of a sample during OCT imaging, comprising:

obtaining a series of OCT cross-sectional volume scans in parallel planes through the sample at different positions on a first coordinate axis;

obtaining at least two OCT cross-sectional alignment scans in planes intersecting said parallel planes containing said volume scans at an angle;

storing said alignment scans and said volume scans in memory; and

matching said alignment scans and said volume scans at lines of intersection thereof to determine the relative displacement of said volume scans to the sample due to sample motion; and

using said relative displacement to correct for motion of the sample between successive volume scans.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said angle is ninety degrees.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sample is the retina of an eye.

4. Apparatus for correcting for sample movement during OCT imaging, comprising:

a memory;

a data structure in said memory comprising a series of OCT cross-sectional volume scans in known parallel planes in the sample and OCT cross-sectional alignment scans in planes intersecting said known parallel planes containing said cross-sectional volume scans at an angle; and

a computer for processing said series of cross-sectional volume scans to obtain a volume scan of the sample, and wherein said alignment scans and said volume scans are matched at lines of intersection thereof to determine the relative displacement of said volume scans to the sample due to sample motion and said relative displacement is used to correct for motion of the sample between successive volume scans.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said angle is ninety degrees.