Method and Apparatus for Evaluating Ocular Tissue Conditions

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for evaluating an ocular tissue condition of a patient (e.g., a disease, a risk of developing a disease, etc.). For example, an indicator associated with the ocular tissue condition may be generated. A portion of ocular tissue of the patient is irradiated using a light source. Light from the portion of the ocular tissue is received. Raman spectra information associated with the received light is determined. An indicator of an ocular tissue condition is generated based at least on the Raman spectra information. The indicator may, for example, assist a physician in diagnosing or ruling out the ocular tissue condition.

1 . A method for evaluating ocular tissue of a patient, the method comprising:
 irradiating a portion of ocular tissue of the patient using a light source;   receiving light from the portion of the ocular tissue;   determining Raman spectra information associated with the received light; and   generating, based at least on the Raman spectra information, an indicator of an ocular tissue condition.   
     
     
         2 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the Raman spectra information includes a plurality of bands corresponding to received light at one or more wavelengths;
 wherein generating the indicator of the ocular tissue condition comprises determining at least one intensity of at least one band.   
     
     
         3 . A method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein determining the at least one intensity of the at least one band comprises at least one of:
 fitting a curve to at least one band;   calculating an area of at least one band; or   calculating a height of at least one band.   
     
     
         4 . A method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein generating the indicator of the connective tissue condition comprises:
 determining a first intensity of at least a first band;   determining a second intensity of at least a second band; and   determining a first ratio of the first intensity and the second intensity.   
     
     
         5 . A method as defined in  claim 4 , wherein generating the indicator of the connective tissue condition further comprises generating the indicator based at least in part on the first ratio. 
     
     
         6 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the ocular tissue condition is at least one of an acquired disorder or a genetic disorder including macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, keratitis, scleritis, or episcleritis. 
     
     
         7 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the ocular tissue condition is an increased risk of developing an ocular disease. 
     
     
         8 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the ocular tissue condition comprises at least one of compatibility of donated ocular tissue, integrity of a cornea after a corneal transplant, or an indication of whether cataract surgery is needed. 
     
     
         9 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the indicator is for monitoring the progression of the ocular tissue condition and/or monitoring a response to treatment of the ocular tissue condition. 
     
     
         10 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein generating the indicator is further based on at least one of an age of the patient, a medical history of the patient, or a family history of the patient. 
     
     
         11 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising repeating the acts of irradiating, receiving, and determining over a period of time to generate spectral content information that reflects the ocular tissue condition of the patient over the period of time. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for evaluating ocular tissue of a patient, comprising:
 a light source;   a Raman probe to receive light scattered from a portion of ocular tissue of a patient irradiated by the light source;   a spectrum analyzer coupled to receive light received by the light receiver and to determine Raman spectra information for the received light; and   a computing device coupled to the spectrum analyzer, the computing device configured to generate diagnostic information indicative of an ocular tissue condition based at least in part on the Raman spectra information.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the Raman spectra information includes a plurality of bands corresponding to received light at one or more wavelengths;
 wherein generating the indicator of the ocular tissue condition comprises determining at least one intensity of at least one band.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , wherein determining the at least one intensity of the at least one band comprises at least one of:
 fitting a curve to at least one band;   calculating an area of at least one band; or   calculating a height of at least one band.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , wherein generating the indicator of the connective tissue condition comprises:
 determining a first intensity of at least a first band;   determining a second intensity of at least a second band; and   determining a first ratio of the first intensity and the second intensity.   
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 15 , wherein generating the indicator of the connective tissue condition further comprises generating the indicator based at least in part on the first ratio. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the diagnostic information corresponds to an indicator of at least one of an acquired disorder or a genetic disorder including macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, keratitis, scleritis, or episcleritis. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the diagnostic information corresponds to whether an increased risk of developing an ocular disease exists. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the diagnostic information corresponds to an indicator of at least one of compatibility of donated ocular tissue, integrity of a cornea after a corneal transplant, or an indication of whether cataract surgery is needed. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the diagnostic information is further based on at least one of an age of the patient, a medical history of the patient, or a family history of the patient.