Optical coherence tomography device, method, and system

Abstract

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an optical coherence tomography instrument comprises an eyepiece for receiving at least one eye of a user is provided; a light source that outputs light that is directed through the eyepiece into the user's eye; an interferometer configured to produce optical interference using light reflected from the user's eye; an optical detector disposed so as to detect said optical interference; and electronics coupled to the detector. The electronics can be configured to perform a risk assessment analysis based on optical coherence tomography measurements obtained using the interferometer. An output device can be electrically coupled to the electronics, and may be configured to output the risk assessment to the user through the output device. The optical coherence tomography instrument can be self-administered, and the eyepiece can be a monocular system or a binocular system.

1 - 85 . (canceled) 
     
     
         86 . An optical coherence tomography system for providing a self-administered scan, the system comprising:
 a main body comprising an ocular;   a light source that outputs light that is directed through the ocular into an eye of a user;   an inteferometer configured to produce optical interference using light reflected from the eye of the user;   an optical detector disposed so as to detect the optical interference;   electronics coupled to the detector and configured to provide an output based on optical coherence tomography measurements obtained using the interferometer; and   a disposable member configured to contact the user around the eye and provide a hygienic interface between the user and the main body, the disposable member removably attached to the main body, the disposable member configured to allow passage of light from the light source through the member to the at least one eye of the user,   wherein the scan is configured to be operated at least in part by the user.   
     
     
         87 . The optical coherence tomography system of  claim 86 , wherein the disposable member is configured to substantially block out ambient light when the disposable member is in contact with the eye of the user. 
     
     
         88 . The optical coherence tomography system of  claim 86 , wherein the disposable member is translucent. 
     
     
         89 . The optical coherence tomography system of  claim 86 , wherein the disposable member is transparent. 
     
     
         90 . The optical coherence tomography system of  claim 86 , wherein the disposable comprises an opening to allow passage of light from the light source to the eye. 
     
     
         91 . The optical coherence tomography system of  claim 86 , wherein the disposable member comprises plastic. 
     
     
         92 . The optical coherence tomography system of  claim 86 , wherein the disposable member comprises latex. 
     
     
         93 . The optical coherence tomography system of  claim 86 , wherein the disposable member comprises paper. 
     
     
         94 . The optical coherence tomography system of  claim 86 , further comprising a user interface configured to direct the user to attach the disposable member to the main body. 
     
     
         95 . The optical coherence tomography system of  claim 86 , further comprising a user interface configured to direct the user to support the disposable member against the user. 
     
     
         96 . The optical coherence tomography system of  claim 86 , wherein said disposable member comprises an eyecup configured to contact the user around the eye. 
     
     
         97 . A method for self-administering an optical coherence tomography scan, the method comprising:
 attaching a disposable member onto an optical coherence tomography instrument to provide a hygienic interface between the user and the optical coherence tomography instrument, the disposable member configured to allow passage of light from the optical coherence tomography instrument into an eye of a first user;   positioning the eye of the first user in contact with the optical coherence tomography instrument, wherein the positioning is performed by the first user; and   activating the optical coherence tomography instrument by the first user to begin the optical coherence tomography scan, wherein the optical coherence tomography instrument is configured to scan the eye of the first user, and wherein the optical coherence tomography instrument comprises:
 an ocular for directing light to and receiving light from the eye of the first user; 
 a light source that outputs light that is directed through the eye of the first user; 
 an interferometer configured to produce optical interference using light reflected from the eye of the first user; and 
 an optical detector disposed so as to detect the optical interference. 
   
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 97 , further comprising receiving instructions from a user interface to attach the disposable member. 
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 97 , further comprising, receiving instructions from a user interface to support the disposable member against the eye of the first user. 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 97 , further comprising blocking substantially all ambient light into the eye of the first user when the eye of the first user is depressed against the disposable member. 
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 97 , further comprising removing the disposable member before a second user activates the optical coherence tomography instrument. 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the disposable member comprises an opening to allow passage of light from the optical coherence tomography instrument to the eye. 
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein the disposable member comprises an eyecup configured to contact the user around the eye.