Abstract: Systems and methods for quantitatively imaging retinal blood vessel oxygen saturation using retinal auto-fluorescence (AF) are provided. One or more excitation sources can be used to provide light to the retina, and retinal AF can be detected by one or more detectors. The quantitative level of oxygen saturation in the blood can be determined based on the intensity of AF.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel apparatuses and methods for assessing the structure and function of photoreceptors in retina. In a specific embodiment, the assessment is accomplished by imaging rhodopsin, pigmented protein responsible for initiating vision acquisition of the eye, in living subjects. Advantageously, the technologies provided herein can be used for clinical evaluation of retinal photoreceptors for diagnosis, disease staging and follow-up, and outcome measurement for clinical trials of retinal degenerative disorders, including, for example, hereditary retinal degeneration and age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an optical coherence photoacoustic (OC-PAM) microscopy. An OC-PAM microscope includes a light source that outputs light, a scanner, a detector, a transducer, and an image processing module. The scanner receives the light and scans the light across a sample. The detector receives reflected light from the sample in response to the scanned light. The transducer detects photoacoustic waves induced in the sample by the scanned light. The image processing module receives output from the detector and the transducer and generates a photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) image and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image based on the received output from the detector and the transducer. The PAM and OCT image data may be fused to form a single, OC-PAM image. Additionally, a series of PAM images and OCT images, respectively, may be combined to generate three-dimensional PAM and OCT images, respectively.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods of using the same are provided for monitoring the quantity of fluorescent pigment, for example lipofuscin, in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer of a retina in vivo. Various imaging modalities can be integrated into a single system and excited by a single broadband light source for the monitoring of the fluorescent pigment. The influence of varying optical properties found in the optical path of the pigment's auto-fluorescence between the RPE and an image receiver can be corrected.

Abstract: The invention pertains to devices and methods that allow a subject having a diseased retina to see a more complete image of the subject's field-of-view. The invention provides a device comprising one or more windows comprising a plurality of optical components that redirect the light transmitting through the regions of the windows corresponding to the non-functional areas of the retina onto the functional areas of the retina in a manner such that the subject perceives a more complete field-of-view through the functional areas of the retina. The invention also provides a device comprising one or more cameras, a microprocessor, and one or more display screens, wherein the microprocessor comprises an algorithm programmed to remove portions of the image corresponding to non-functional areas of the subject's retina and compressing the portions so removed into the areas of the image corresponding to the functional areas of the subject's retina.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel apparatuses and methods for assessing the structure and function of photoreceptors in retina. In a specific embodiment, the assessment is accomplished by imaging rhodopsin, pigmented protein responsible for initiating vision acquisition of the eye, in living subjects. Advantageously, the technologies provided herein can be used for clinical evaluation of retinal photoreceptors for diagnosis, disease staging and follow-up, and outcome measurement for clinical trials of retinal degenerative disorders, including, for example, hereditary retinal degeneration and age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an optical coherence photoacoustic (OC-PAM) microscopy. An OC-PAM microscope includes a light source that outputs light, a scanner, a detector, a transducer, and an image processing module. The scanner receives the light and scans the light across a sample. The detector receives reflected light from the sample in response to the scanned light. The transducer detects photoacoustic waves induced in the sample by the scanned light. The image processing module receives output from the detector and the transducer and generates a photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) image and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image based on the received output from the detector and the transducer. The PAM and OCT image data may be fused to form a single, OC-PAM image. Additionally, a series of PAM images and OCT images, respectively, may be combined to generate three-dimensional PAM and OCT images, respectively.

Abstract: The invention pertains to devices and methods that allow a subject having a diseased retina to see a more complete image of the subject's field-of-view. The invention provides a device comprising one or more windows comprising a plurality of optical components that redirect the light transmitting through the regions of the windows corresponding to the non-functional areas of the retina onto the functional areas of the retina in a manner such that the subject perceives a more complete field-of-view through the functional areas of the retina. The invention also provides a device comprising one or more cameras, a microprocessor, and one or more display screens, wherein the microprocessor comprises an algorithm programmed to remove portions of the image corresponding to non-functional areas of the subject's retina and compressing the portions so removed into the areas of the image corresponding to the functional areas of the subject's retina.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an optical coherence photoacoustic (OC-PAM) microscopy. An OC-PAM microscope includes a light source that outputs light, a scanner, a detector, a transducer, and an image processing module. The scanner receives the light and scans the light across a sample. The detector receives reflected light from the sample in response to the scanned light. The transducer detects photoacoustic waves induced in the sample by the scanned light. The image processing module receives output from the detector and the transducer and generates a photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) image and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image based on the received output from the detector and the transducer. The PAM and OCT image data may be fused to form a single, OC-PAM image. Additionally, a series of PAM images and OCT images, respectively, may be combined to generate three-dimensional PAM and OCT images, respectively.

Abstract: A system for analyzing and detecting early stage damage to the retina related to glaucoma. The reflectance of different wavelengths of light by the retinal nerve fiber layer are compared. Changes in relative reflectance values indicate damage to the retinal nerve fibers and indicate early glaucomatous optical neuropathy.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an optical coherence photoacoustic (OC-PAM) microscopy. An OC-PAM microscope includes a light source that outputs light, a scanner, a detector, a transducer, and an image processing module. The scanner receives the light and scans the light across a sample. The detector receives reflected light from the sample in response to the scanned light. The transducer detects photoacoustic waves induced in the sample by the scanned light. The image processing module receives output from the detector and the transducer and generates a photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) image and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image based on the received output from the detector and the transducer. The PAM and OCT image data may be fused to form a single, OC-PAM image. Additionally, a series of PAM images and OCT images, respectively, may be combined to generate three-dimensional PAM and OCT images, respectively.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for multimodal functional imaging based upon photoacoustic and laser optical scanning microscopy. In particular, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a contact lens in combination with an ultrasound transducer for purposes of acquiring photoacoustic microscopy data. Traditionally divergent imaging modalities such as confocal scanning laser opthalmoscopy and photoacoustic microscopy are combined within a single laser system. Functional imaging of biological samples can be utilized for various medical and biological purposes.

Abstract: A system for analyzing and detecting early stage damage to the retina related to glaucoma. The reflectance of different wavelengths of light by the retinal nerve fiber layer are compared. Changes in relative reflectance values indicate damage to the retinal nerve fibers and indicate early glaucomatous optical neuropathy.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for multimodal functional imaging based upon photoacoustic and laser optical scanning microscopy. In particular, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a contact lens in combination with an ultrasound transducer for purposes of acquiring photoacoustic microscopy data. Traditionally divergent imaging modalities such as confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and photoacoustic microscopy are combined within a single laser system. Functional imaging of biological samples can be utilized for various medical and biological purposes.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for multimodal functional imaging based upon photoacoustic and laser optical scanning microscopy. In particular, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a contact lens in combination with an ultrasound transducer for purposes of acquiring photoacoustic microscopy data. Traditionally divergent imaging modalities such as confocal scanning laser opthalmoscopy and photoacoustic microscopy are combined within a single laser system. Functional imaging of biological samples can be utilized for various medical and biological purposes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for multimodal functional imaging based upon photoacoustic and laser optical scanning microscopy. In particular, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a contact lens in combination with an ultrasound transducer for purposes of acquiring photoacoustic microscopy data. Traditionally divergent imaging modalities such as confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and photoacoustic microscopy are combined within a single laser system. Functional imaging of biological samples can be utilized for various medical and biological purposes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for multimodal functional imaging based upon photoacoustic and laser optical scanning microscopy. In particular, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a contact lens in combination with an ultrasound transducer for purposes of acquiring photoacoustic microscopy data. Traditionally divergent imaging modalities such as confocal scanning laser opthalmoscopy and photoacoustic microscopy are combined within a single laser system. Functional imaging of biological samples can be utilized for various medical and biological purposes.