How to Create Wide-Field Images of Tissue Using OCT Scanners

A method for stitching together multiple high-resolution medical images of uneven tissue samples to create a single, wide-field view for better diagnostic clarity.

What it covers

This patent describes a way to capture and stitch together Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images of tissue samples that have irregular or uneven surfaces. It first creates a surface map of the sample to identify the highest and lowest points. By adjusting the scanning head's position based on this map, the system ensures that the imaging window stays aligned with the tissue's topography. Finally, it combines multiple individual scans into a single, wide-field composite image, using an entropy-based method to determine the best alignment between overlapping sections.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover imaging techniques that rely on non-OCT modalities like MRI or CT scans.
• —Does not cover manual image stitching performed by a human operator without the automated surface-mapping logic.
• —Does not cover systems that do not utilize a predefined surface map to adjust the scanning head position.

The clever bit

The system uses the 'entropy' of overlapping image segments to automatically determine the perfect alignment, effectively letting the computer decide which stitch looks most natural and clear.

Why it matters

In medical pathology, especially during surgery, doctors need to see if they have removed all cancerous tissue. Because tissue samples are rarely perfectly flat, standard OCT scanners often struggle to capture the entire area in focus. This technology allows for larger, clearer images of irregular specimens, which can help surgeons make more accurate decisions in real-time.

Real-world examples

• 1.Perimeter Medical Imaging's S-Series OCT system
• 2.Intraoperative surgical margin assessment tools
• 3.Digital pathology imaging workstations