June 2017
Volume 58, Issue 8
Open Access
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2017
Concepts for automated fast focal plane control in subbasal nerve plexus mosaicking to reliably quantify a biomarker for diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Sebastian Bohn
    Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
  • Stephan Allgeier
    Institute for Applied Computer Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
  • Andreas Bartschat
    Institute for Applied Computer Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
  • Rudolf F Guthoff
    Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
  • Bernd Köhler
    Institute for Applied Computer Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
  • Ralf Mikut
    Institute for Applied Computer Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
  • Klaus-Martin Reichert
    Institute for Applied Computer Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
  • Karsten Sperlich
    Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
  • Heinrich Stolz
    Institute of Physics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
  • Oliver Stachs
    Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   Sebastian Bohn, None; Stephan Allgeier, None; Andreas Bartschat, None; Rudolf Guthoff, None; Bernd Köhler, None; Ralf Mikut, None; Klaus-Martin Reichert, None; Karsten Sperlich, None; Heinrich Stolz, None; Oliver Stachs, None
  • Footnotes
    Support  The work was supported in parts by the DFG (German Research Foundation) [grant numbers KO 5003/1, STA 543/6-1 and MI 1315/5-1] and the Helmholtz Association.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2017, Vol.58, 1431. doi:
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      Sebastian Bohn, Stephan Allgeier, Andreas Bartschat, Rudolf F Guthoff, Bernd Köhler, Ralf Mikut, Klaus-Martin Reichert, Karsten Sperlich, Heinrich Stolz, Oliver Stachs; Concepts for automated fast focal plane control in subbasal nerve plexus mosaicking to reliably quantify a biomarker for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2017;58(8):1431.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose : Mosaicking images of the subbasal nerve plexus (SNP) using in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and guided eye movements provides a suitable imaging technique for reliable analysis of the SNP as a promising noninvasive marker for diabetic peripheral neuropathy [1]. Eye movements, depth as well as angular offsets and compression artifacts during data collection cause the SNP to shift out of the focal plane and decrease the mosaicking quality. Thus an automated refocusing onto the SNP is necessary to enable high-quality large-area SNP image acquisition.

Methods : The original Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II (HRTII) in conjunction with the Rostock Cornea Module (RCM) allows manual positioning of the cornea relative to the focal plane by moving a single-use contact cap (TomoCap). The movement of the TomoCap results in compression artifacts during image acquisition. Our approach uses a modified RCM in combination with software routines for real time image acquisition. We developed a new optical design using a piezo actuator which moves a lens inside the modified RCM to control the focal plane without moving the TomoCap. During the imaging process we oscillate the focal plane around the SNP between the basal epithelium and the anterior stroma and use a cornea tissue classification (CTC) algorithm. This algorithm distinguishes different tissues and thus delivers the optimal center position for the piezo oscillation around the SNP. Classified images can be used for mosaicking [2].

Results : Results with the new developed piezo-based RCM have shown that fast and defined focal plane shifts are possible while simultaneously minimizing corneal applanation. Investigation has shown that in principle the optimized CTC is fast enough for real time usage [2]. Preliminary results also suggest that CTC can significantly increase the quality of SNP mosaics through the exclusion of foreign tissue images.

Conclusions : The new piezo based RCM enables almost real time focal plane shifts, required for closed-loop focal plane control. The presented concept is promising for large scale SNP mosaicking. This will mark a huge, necessary step towards reliable SNP quantification, an auspicious biomarker for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

[1] Allgeier et al. Invest Opthalmol Vis Sci. 2014
[2] Bartschat et al. KIT Scientific Publishing 2016

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.

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