Method and Imaging Device for In Vivo Detection of Autofluorescence of a Fundus

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This invention introduces a method and a spectral imaging device for detecting autofluorescence in the ocular fundus (back of the eye) in living patients. The system uses short-wavelength light to stimulate areas of the eye and captures the emitted autofluorescent signals pixel by pixel, compensating for eye movements in real time. The key innovation enables the early and precise localization of sub-clinical retinal deposits (BLamD and BLinD), which are known precursors to drusen and indicators of early-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

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• Early screening and diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in ophthalmology clinics.
• Refined monitoring of retinal health during clinical trials for new AMD therapies.
• Research studies on retinal diseases and their progression.
• Integration into ophthalmic imaging systems for comprehensive retinal diagnostics.
• Potential screening tool in general eye health check-ups, especially for at-risk elderly patients.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables early detection of retinal changes that are not clinically visible through conventional methods, possibly before drusen formation.
• Improves accuracy by actively compensating for patient eye movement during imaging, ensuring precise localization of abnormal deposits.
• Non-invasive and in-vivo, suitable for routine eye examinations without additional risks for patients.
• Can be implemented in existing imaging setups (e.g., optical coherence tomography, snapshot cameras) with suitable adaptation.
• Potentially increases the effectiveness of AMD treatment by supporting intervention at earlier disease stages.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a spectral imaging device (1) for the in-vivo capturing of autofluorescence of an ocular fundus of an eye (2), having the following method steps: a) providing a light signal (4) with a predetermined wavelength in the short-wave range, b) capturing a first eye position and dividing the ocular fundus into a raster comprising multiple pixels on the basis of the captured first eye position, c) determining a region of the ocular fundus to be investigated, wherein the region of the ocular fundus to be investigated is determined by selecting a plurality of pixels, d1) exciting the ocular fundus of one pixel of the region to be investigated by means of the light signal (4), d2) capturing a further eye position, different from the first eye position, and updating the raster in accordance with the captured further eye position, e) capturing at least one emission signal (8) emitted by the pixel of the ocular fundus, f) providing the emission signal to an evaluation unit (9), g) repeating steps d1) to f) for each pixel of the region to be investigated. This makes it possible to establish and to precisely locate changes (BLamD and BLinD) that are drusen precursors early in vivo.