Our Mission:
To develop an add-on device for an ocular ultrasound probe that creates a 3-Dimensional model of the human eye for improving diagnosis of lesions; overcoming the limited spacial information that would originally be produced by the 2-Dimensional scan.
Background:
The eye is a superficial fluid-filled organ, so the typical method of visualizing the interior components of the eye relies on shining a beam of light through the eye. However, when an individual suffers due to excessive fluid, a foreign body that entered the area, or a specific disease, this beam of light will be rendered useless. Ultrasound imaging is the ideal method of diagnosis due to the depth of penetration of high frequency sound waves into the tissues, which generates a scan of the intraocular structures.
There are two main types of ophthalmologic ultrasounds: A-scan and B-scans. Our project uses B-scans that are capable of discerning the extraocular muscles and the optic nerve. A typical B-scan is illustrated below, and it should be noted that the image can determine the change in tissue density that is ideal for diagnostic purposes.
Overcoming Challenges:
Current technology revolving around intraocular ultrasound probes provide very limiting spatial information that is played back to the physicians. This 2-Dimensional image requires the physician to identify any abnormalities with their naked eye. However, our device proposes a 3-Dimensional model of the patient’s eye that will highlight and annotate the location of any abnormalities and areas with higher density. This will allow physicians to produce a more accurate diagnosis for the patient.