Abstract
Purpose: :
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has had a tremendous global health impact upon the current ability to diagnose, treat, and monitor multiple eye diseases. We propose that an intraocular OCT probe can be developed for intraoperative imaging.
Methods: :
A miniature 25-gauge forward-imaging probe was designed, developed and optimized to use with an 850 nm spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) system (Bioptigen, Inc.) Its imaging parameters were determined. The vitreous was removed from 10 fresh cadaver porcine eyes. A Q-switched Raman-shifted alexandrite laser (6.1 µm, 10 Hz, 0.6 mJ) was used to incise the retinas. The tissues were then imaged with the 25-gauge SDOCT probe.
Results: :
A SDOCT probe was developed with the scanning driver within the handpiece. The SDOCT fiber-scanning probe transmits power of 500 µW. The axial resolution is 6 µm and the lateral resolution is 50-60 µm. The 25-gauge forward-imaging probe is currently able to image retinal blood vessels and lased retinal incisions when held 2 to 3 mm from the retina.
Conclusions: :
A miniature intraoperative probe was developed that is capable of forward-imaging with SDOCT within the eye. It has the future potential to guide real-time intraocular surgery
Keywords: imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • retina • laser