Optimization of handheld spectrally encoded coherence tomography and reflectometry for point-of-care ophthalmic diagnostic imaging.

Significance: Handheld optical coherence tomography (HH-OCT) systems enable point-of-care ophthalmic imaging in bedridden, uncooperative, and pediatric patients. Handheld spectrally encoded coherence tomography and reflectometry (HH-SECTR) combines OCT and spectrally encoded reflectometry (SER) to address critical clinical challenges in HH-OCT imaging with real-time en face retinal aiming for OCT volume alignment and volumetric correction of motion artifacts that occur during HH-OCT imaging.

Aim: We aim to enable robust clinical translation of HH-SECTR and improve clinical ergonomics during point-of-care OCT imaging for ophthalmic diagnostics.

Approach: HH-SECTR is redesigned with (1) optimized SER optical imaging for en face retinal aiming and retinal tracking for motion correction, (2) a modular aluminum form factor for sustained alignment and probe stability for longitudinal clinical studies, and (3) one-handed photographer-ergonomic motorized focus adjustment.

Results: We demonstrate an HH-SECTR imaging probe with micron-scale optical-optomechanical stability and use it for in vivo human retinal imaging and volumetric motion correction.

Conclusions: This research will benefit the clinical translation of HH-SECTR for point-of-care ophthalmic diagnostics.