Devices, methods, and systems of functional optical coherence tomography

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for the determining a rate of change of one or more analyte concentrations in a target using non invasive non contact imaging techniques such as OCT. Generally, OCT data is acquired and optical information is extracted from OCT scans to quantitatively determine both a flow rate of fluid in the target and a concentration of one or more analytes. Both calculations can provide a means to determine a change in rate of an analyte over time. Example methods and systems of the disclosure may be used in assessing metabolism of a tissue, where oxygen is the analyte detected, or other functional states, and be generally used for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for evaluation of a treatment strategy for a subject, the method comprising:
 a. obtaining three dimensional (3D) optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of a target of the subject;   b. determining a status of one or more molecular markers in a bodily fluid in the target and simultaneously quantifying flow of the bodily fluid from the 3D OCT scans generated by the obtaining of 3D OCT scans of the target in a single measurement; and   c. evaluating one or more treatment options by comparing the status of one or more molecular markers in the bodily fluid in the target to a reference to drive a medical decision.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining the status of one or more molecular markers includes determining metabolic activity or a change in metabolic activity in the target. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining the status of one or more molecular markers includes determining oxygen saturation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the comparing the status of one or more molecular markers in the target in the bodily fluid to the reference is used to determine a change in target function. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining a status of one or more molecular markers in a bodily fluid in the target is performed by measuring an intensity, amplitude or phase of visible light reflected at a plurality of depths for each OCT scan obtained of the target. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the evaluating one or more treatment options includes stratifying one or more treatment options using an algorithm-based approach. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the evaluating one or more treatment options is performed using a computer and a computer readable medium. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the stratifying one or more treatment options using an algorithm-based approach comprises generating a report containing information predicting efficacy of one or more treatment options in the target. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the stratifying one or more treatment options using an algorithm-based approach includes generating a report containing a recommendation of one or more treatment options. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the stratifying one or more treatment options incorporates a type of disease, an age of the subject, a status of drug metabolism genes, and a family medical history for the subject. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target is selected from the following group: diseased tissue, suspected diseased tissue, previously treated tissue, and healthy tissue. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the evaluation of one or more treatment options includes at least one of changing a dosage of one or more drugs, selecting a frequency of drug administration, making a drug selection, or changing a drug selection. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the evaluation of one or more treatment options includes assessing candidate molecules for potential efficacy, toxicity and dosing in the target. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reference includes at least one of a healthy image, an average of information from healthy subjects, or OCT images generated at a different time. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reference includes scientific information curated in a database and used for comparison across select patients or sub groups of patients. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining a status of one or more molecular markers in a bodily fluid in the target, while simultaneously quantifying flow of the bodily fluid indicates the presence or absence of disease. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target is selected from the group consisting of tissue, healthy tissue, diseased tissue, retina, tumor, cancer, growth, fibroid, lesion, skin, mucosal lining, organ, graft, blood supply and one or more blood vessels. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining the status of one or more molecular markers includes imaging a blood flow or a blood supply. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the obtaining 3D OCT scans of a target is performed with visible-light or invisible light. 
     
     
         20 . A system for the evaluation of a treatment, the system configured to:
 a. obtain three dimensional (3D) optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of a target;   b. determine a status of one or more molecular markers in a bodily fluid in the target and simultaneously quantify flow of the bodily fluid from the 3D OCT scans generated by the obtaining of 3D OCT scans of the target in a single measurement;   c. evaluate one or more treatment options by comparing the status of one or more molecular markers in the target in the bodily fluid to a reference with a computer using a computer readable medium to drive a medical decision.