Automatic irradiation control by an optical feedback technique for selective retina treatment (SRT) in a rabbit model

Eric Seifert, Young Jung Roh, Andreas Fritz, Young Gun Park, Seungbum Kang, Dirk Theisen-Kunde, Ralf Brinkmann

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Selective Retina Therapy (SRT) targets the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) without effecting neighboring layers as the photoreceptors or the choroid. SRT related RPE defects are ophthalmoscopically invisible. Owing to this invisibility and the variation of the threshold radiant exposure for RPE damage the treating physician does not know whether the treatment was successful or not. Thus measurement techniques enabling a correct dosing are a demanded element in SRT devices. The acquired signal can be used for monitoring or automatic irradiation control. Existing monitoring techniques are based on the detection of micro-bubbles. These bubbles are the origin of RPE cell damage for pulse durations in the ns and μs time regime 5μs. The detection can be performed by optical or acoustical approaches. Monitoring based on an acoustical approach has already been used to study the beneficial effects of SRT on diabetic macula edema and central serous retinopathy. We have developed a first real time feedback technique able to detect micro-bubble induced characteristics in the backscattered laser light fast enough to cease the laser irradiation within a burst. Therefore the laser energy within a burst of at most 30 pulses is increased linearly with every pulse. The laser irradiation is ceased as soon as micro-bubbles are detected. With this automatic approach it was possible to observe invisible lesions, an intact photoreceptor layer and a reconstruction of the RPE within one week.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMedical Laser Applications and Laser-Tissue Interactions VI
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
EventMedical Laser Applications and Laser-Tissue Interactions VI - Munich, Germany
Duration: 14 May 201315 May 2013

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume8803
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Conference

ConferenceMedical Laser Applications and Laser-Tissue Interactions VI
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityMunich
Period14/05/1315/05/13

Keywords

  • dosimetry
  • feedback
  • laser
  • microsecond
  • realtime
  • RPE
  • selectivity
  • SRT

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