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Submicrometer precision biometry of the anterior segment of the human eye.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the feasibility of measuring the anterior structures of the human eye by partial coherence interferometry and to determine its precision for eyes under normal and cycloplegic conditions. METHODS: The dual-beam version of partial coherence interferometry, a recently developed noninvasive optical ranging technique, enables high resolution measurements of several intraocular distances with unprecedented precision. A modified, more sensitive scanning version of this technique was used to assess the central and peripheral corneal thickness, the anterior chamber depth, and the lens thickness of 20 healthy, emmetropic to moderately myopic eyes. Furthermore the anterior structures of three eyes were measured under cycloplegia (1% cyclopentolate) to investigate the influence on the precision of this technique after suppression of residual accommodations. RESULTS: The mean geometric precision (standard deviation) of the measurement of the central corneal thickness was 0.29 micron (range, 0.22 micron to 0.38 micron) and 0.43 micron (range, 0.27 micron to 0.56 micron) for the peripheral corneal thickness at a distance 2 mm from its apex. The precision for measuring the anterior chamber depth and the lens thickness for fixation at infinity was 8.7 microns (range, 3.9 microns to 16.8 microns) and 8.9 microns (rang, 2.9 microns to 14.4 microns) for noncycloplegic eyes and 1.9 microns (range, 1.7 microns to 2 microns) and 1.4 microns (range, 0.7 micron to 1.8 microns) for cycloplegic eyes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The dual-beam partial coherence interferometry enables fast, noninvasive, submicrometer precision biometry of the anterior segment of the eye. The precision of determining the anterior chamber depth and the lens thickness is more than one order of magnitude better than that of the currently used ultrasound and optical techniques, and it can be improved by a factor of 5 by using cycloplegia.

Adult↗

Laser interference-based techniques and applications in structural inspection of works of art.

Techniques based on laser interferometry principles provide great potential to retrieve imperceptible bulk information regarding the physical and mechanical condition of complex and inhomogeneous structures. This review presents the progress in and prospects for optical coherent interferometry techniques in artwork conservation applications, in particular concerning the performance of the developed instrumentations and methodologies. Each of the state-of-the-art techniques is introduced by reference to fundamental principles, basic equations and general optical geometry. In this context, a brief introduction to fundamental principles governing the optical coherent interferometry measurements is presented prior to discussion on performance. Some exemplary results demonstrating that bulk interferometric signals can be obtained from rough artwork surfaces are shown and their suitability is reviewed. Several opportunities for art conservation research and applications are summarised and discussed.

Journal Article↗

Dynamic holographic endoscopy--ex vivo investigations of malignant tumors in the human stomach.

Laser holographic interferometry is based on the superimposition of the holograms of different motional states of an object on a single holographic storing medium. Using a combination of holographic interferometry and endoscopic imaging, we tried to detect areas of focally disturbed tissue elasticity in gastric cancer preparations. By connecting a mobile electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) camera system (light source: double frequency Nd:YAG laser, lambda = 532 nm) to different types of endoscopes, ex vivo experiments were performed on ten formalin fixed human stomachs, nine containing adenocarcinomas and one with a gastric lymphoma. Linking the endoscopic ESPI camera complex to a fast image processing system, the method of double pulse exposure image subtraction was applied at a video frame rate of 12.5 Hz. Speckle correlation patterns and corresponding phase difference distributions resulting from gastric wall deformation by gentle touch with a guide wire were analyzed. Tumor-free gastric areas showed high-contrast concentric fringes around the point of stimulation. In contrast, fringe patterns and filtered phase difference distributions corresponding to the areas of malignancy in all the cases were characterized by largely parallel lines, indicating that stimulation of rigid tumor tissue primarily led to tilting. Our ex vivo investigations of malignant gastric tumors show that the application of dynamic holographic endoscopy makes it possible to distinguish areas of malignancy from surrounding healthy tissue based on the differences in tissue elasticity.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Ocular surface changes after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy.

PURPOSE: To study the ocular surface disorder in patients with Avellino, granular, and lattice dystrophy, band keratopathy, and corneal leukoma before and after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy. DESIGN: A prospective case-controlled study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 45 eyes of 33 patients with superficial corneal opacities seen at Kobe Kaisei Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, and 40 eyes of 20 normal control subjects were studied. INTERVENTION: The subjects underwent routine ophthalmic examinations, corneal sensitivity measurements, tear film break up time (BUT), Schirmer test, tear film lipid layer interferometry, and conjunctival impression cytology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The patients and the control subjects were compared for prephototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) tear function parameters, tear film lipid layer interferometry grade, goblet cell density, and conjunctival squamous metaplasia grade. Alterations of these parameters within 3 months after PTK were also looked for. RESULTS: The average pre-PTK corneal sensitivity and tear film break up time were lower in patients compared with control subjects before PTK. Tear film lipid layer interferometry grade and conjunctival squamous metaplasia grades were higher in the patients than the controls before PTK. All these parameters improved gradually and significantly after PTK. Goblet cell density was significantly lower in the patients compared with controls before PTK. Schirmer test results and goblet cell density did not show any significant alterations after PTK. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent improvements in corneal sensitivity, tear film break up time, lipid layer interference grades, and conjunctival squamous metaplasia grades all point to the favorable effects of PTK on the ocular surface by improving the stability of the tear film and ocular surface health through attainment of a regular corneal surface and probably inducing qualitatively/quantitatively better mucin production by a healthier epithelium after PTK.

Adult↗

Visual and tear function improvement after superficial phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for mid-stromal corneal scarring.

PURPOSE: To study the changes in visual and tear film function following superficial excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy in patients with mid-stromal corneal scars. METHODS: Fourteen eyes of 14 patients with mid-stromal corneal scars seen at the Department of Ophthalmology at Kobe Kaisei Hospital underwent superficial phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). The subjects underwent routine ophthalmic examinations, corneal sensitivity measurements, tear film break-up time (BUT), Schrimer test and tear film lipid layer interferometry. Thirty eyes of 15 normal control subjects were also studied. The patients and the control subjects were compared for pre-PTK tear function parameters and tear film lipid layer interferometry grade. The alterations in these parameters within 6 months following PTK were also determined. RESULTS: Visual improvement was achieved in 12 eyes (86%). A hyperopic shift was observed in all eyes. The average pre-PTK corneal sensitivity and tear film BUT were lower in patients compared with control subjects before PTK. Tear film lipid layer interferometry grades were also higher in the patients than the controls before PTK. All these parameters improved gradually and significantly after PTK. Schirmer test results did not show any significant alterations after PTK. CONCLUSION: We conclude that PTK is an effective means of treating corneal scars and attaining visual improvement, even in cases with deeper corneal involvement, and may obviate the need for corneal transplantation. Simultaneous improvements in corneal sensitivity and tear film stability suggest favourable effects of PTK on the ocular surface.

Adult↗

Super-resolving phase measurements with a multiphoton entangled state.

Interference phenomena are ubiquitous in physics, often forming the basis of demanding measurements. Examples include Ramsey interferometry in atomic spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction in crystallography and optical interferometry in gravitational-wave studies. It has been known for some time that the quantum property of entanglement can be exploited to perform super-sensitive measurements, for example in optical interferometry or atomic spectroscopy. The idea has been demonstrated for an entangled state of two photons, but for larger numbers of particles it is difficult to create the necessary multiparticle entangled states. Here we demonstrate experimentally a technique for producing a maximally entangled three-photon state from initially non-entangled photons. The method can in principle be applied to generate states of arbitrary photon number, giving arbitrarily large improvement in measurement resolution. The method of state construction requires non-unitary operations, which we perform using post-selected linear-optics techniques similar to those used for linear-optics quantum computing.

Journal Article↗

Fresh tympanic membrane perforations heal without significant loss of strength.

HYPOTHESIS: The mechanical and structural properties of the tympanic membrane change after a perforation has healed. BACKGROUND: In previous studies, efforts have been made to enhance the healing process of tympanic membrane perforations. The strength of the healed perforation has been tested with moiré interferometry in gerbils, but in no other species. METHODS: A laser myringotomy was made on 10 Sprague-Dawley rats and 10 CBA mice, and assessments were made after 2 or 4 weeks with moiré interferometry and light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: The mean peak displacement at pressure loads of +350 daPa and of -350 daPa did not differ significantly in the healed perforations as compared with the untouched tympanic membranes. Morphologic assays showed fivefold increased thickness at the site of the perforation due to invaded fibroblasts and extracellular matrix. CONCLUSION: Moiré interferometry was successfully performed in the rat ears, whereas in mouse ears the method was not easily applicable due to technical difficulties. The stress-strain curve of the rat tympanic membrane displays an S-shape. The strength of the spontaneously healed tympanic membrane after myringotomy was not significantly impaired. The site of the perforation became significantly thickened at 2 and 4 weeks post-myringotomy. This information is of clinical importance, because recently closed perforations will be challenged by pressure gradient in everyday life.

Animals↗

Vibration characteristics of composite piezoceramic plates at resonant frequencies: experiments and numerical calculations.

The experimental measurement of the resonant frequencies for the piezoceramic material is generally performed by impedance analysis. In this paper, we employ an optical interferometry method called the amplitude-fluctuation electronic speckle pattern interferometry (AF-ESPI) to investigate the vibration characteristics of piezoceramic/aluminum laminated plates. The AF-ESPI is a powerful tool for the full-field, noncontact, and real-time measurement method of surface displacement for vibrating bodies. As compared with the conventional film recording and optical reconstruction procedures used for holographic interferometry, the interferometric fringes of AF-ESPI are produced instantly by a video recording system. Because the clear fringe patterns measured by the AF-ESPI method will be shown only at resonant frequencies, both the resonant frequencies and corresponding vibration mode shapes are obtained experimentally at the same time. Excellent quality of the interferometric fringe patterns for both the in-plane and out-of-plane vibration mode shapes are demonstrated. Two different configurations of piezoceramic/aluminum laminated plates, which exhibit different vibration characteristics because of the polarization direction, are investigated in detail. From experimental results, we find that some of the out-of-plane vibration modes (Type A) with lower resonant frequencies cannot be measured by the impedance analysis; however, all of the vibration modes of piezoceramic/aluminum laminated plates can be obtained by the AF-ESPI method. Finally, the numerical finite element calculations are also performed, and the results are compared with the experimental measurements. Excellent agreements of the resonant frequencies and mode shapes are obtained for both results.

Letter↗

Plasmas with an index of refraction greater than 1.

Over the past decade, x-ray lasers in the wavelength range 14-47 nm have been used for interferometry of plasmas. As in optical interferometry of plasmas, the experimental analysis assumed that the index of refraction is due only to free electrons. This makes the index of refraction less than 1. Recent experiments in A1 plasmas have shown fringe lines bending the wrong way as though the electron density were negative. We show how the bound electrons can dominate the index of refraction in many plasmas and make the index greater than 1 or enhance the index such that one would greatly overestimate the density of the plasma using interferometry.

Journal Article↗

[Incidence of intra-individual lateral differences in interference fringe acuity and entoptic functions and their prognostic value with reference to lateral differences in optotypic acuity].

No adequate research results are available on the frequency and medical significance of intraindividual side differences in the entoptic functions and interference fringe acuity. We have collected data on these topics from examinations of 312 people with no eye defects; the subjects in this group were aged between 6 and 85 years and were divided into ten age-groups of approximately the same size. We were trying to find out to what extent a real side difference in the distant or near visual acuity can be deduced from an intraindividual side difference in the entoptic function test and/or laser interferometry as in healthy people. To allow grading of macular chagrin patches for the first time we defined the "microsymptoms of macular chagrin" patches. Moreover, we described the changes in interference fringe acuity and in entoptic function with advancing age. By using already established research approaches, we have evaluated the following parameters of examination: distant visual acuity with optotypes, near visual acuity (Nieden), entoptic functions (vessel figure of Purkinje and macular chagrin patches), laser interferometry (Retinometer) and ophthalmological findings. We found that of macular chagrin varied in appearance with the age of the patient. Patients with no eye defects seldom have an intraindividual side difference in the distant or near visual acuity, and any present is only marginal. This is why there seems to be too narrow a correlation with the results of the laser interferometry and of the entoptic function test. The negative predictive value is between 89% and 95%. This means that patients who have no side difference in interference fringe acuity or in the entoptic function test also have no intraindividual side difference in distant visual acuity with optotypes or near visual acuity (Nieden). This is the medical significance of our results in respect to more marked side differences such as are found in patients with eye defects. The predictive significance of the entoptic function test is enhanced by knowledge of microsymptoms of macular chagrin patches.

Accommodation, Ocular↗

Topical fundus pulsation measurement in patients with active central serous chorioretinopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine regional pulsatile choroidal blood flow using laser interferometry in patients with active central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHOD: The study compared an equally sized age-, sex-, and refractive error-matched control group of healthy volunteers obtained from the Department of Clinical Pharmacology with 18 consecutive patients who had newly diagnosed active, unilateral CSC obtained from the University of Vienna Eye Clinic, Vienna, Austria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Regional fundus pulsation amplitude as assessed using laser interferometry. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 40 years; the male-female ratio was 16:2. Foveal fundus pulsation amplitude was significantly higher in eyes with CSC (mean [SD], 5.5 [1.7] micro m) than in the eyes of the control subjects (4.1 [1.1] micro m; P =.005). In addition, eyes with CSC had a significantly higher variability in fundus pulsation amplitude (mean [SD], 48% [20%]) assessed at different fundus locations around the leak than the controls did (20% [9%]; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study that measures topical fundus pulsations in patients who have active, unilateral CSC. These data indicate a generally increased foveal pulsatile choroidal blood flow and an abnormal distribution of fundus pulsation amplitude in the area close to the leak. Whether these findings reinforce the concept that choroidal perfusion abnormalities play a role in the pathogenesis of CSC remains to be established.

Adult↗

Investigations of thermal property gradients in the human dentine.

An investigation of the adaptation of dentine to temperature variation was conducted with the aid of digital moiré interferometry and thermomechanical analysis. The moiré interferometric patterns provided direct evidence of two major phases of thermally involved deformation in dentine. An initial phase of expansion was followed by contraction at higher temperatures. Significant gradients in thermal strain and the coefficient of thermal expansion were identified. Close agreement was found between the response of dentine to thermal changes as observed by moiré interferometry and that detected by thermomechanical analysis. This study highlights the biological adaptation of dentine to thermal variations.

Dentin↗

An interferometric analysis of nucleoli in cultured mesothelial cells.

Previous studies have indicated that total nucleolar area and volume remain constant regardless of the number of nucleoli. The question remains whether this relationship is valid for mass. To answer this, total nucleolar mass values were obtained from nuclei of living mesothelial cells in culture possessing one to four nucleoli. The nucleolar mass was calculated using interferometry. The mean total nucleolar dry mass for cells with one, two, three, and four nucleoli was 40 x 10(-12)gm, 38.4 x 10(-12)gm, 39.1 x 10(-12)gm, and 41.4 x 10(-12)gm, respectively. These data suggest that on the average, each cell had approximately the same total nucleolar dry mass regardless of the number of nucleoli. In an additional study, interferometry was employed to reveal changes in nucleolar mass and concentration during a seven-hour period. It was concluded that the nucleolus is a dynamic organelle, with its total mass varying in time from an average 40 x 10(-12)gm with a mean concentration of 22.2gm/100cm3.

Animals↗

Attomole sensitivity for unlabeled proteins and polypeptides with on-chip capillary electrophoresis and universal detection by interferometric backscatter.

A universal detector based on backscatter interferometry has been developed to perform nanoliter volume refractive index measurements for on-chip sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel based (polyethylene oxide gel) separations and quantification label-free proteins. The on-chip interferometric backscatter detector (OCIBD) system consists of a simple, folded optical train based on the interaction of a laser beam with an etched channel in the shape of half cylinder in a fused-silica plate. The backscattered light from the channel takes on the form of a high-contrast interference pattern that contains information related to the bulk properties of the fluid located within the probe or detection volume of 2.32 x 10(-9) L. Depending on capillary electrophoresis (CE) injection method, the positional changes of the interference pattern extrema (fringes) allow for the quantification of unlabeled proteins at levels ranging from 11 to 310 amol (2.7 x 10(-8)mol/L) with a linear dynamic range of 2.5 decades (egg albumin). Using OCIBD microchannel-based SDS capillary gel electrophoresis (SDS/CGE), separation and detection of five label-free proteins was achieved in less than 100 seconds with detection limits ranging from 0.95 pg (1.1 x 10(-16)mol or 2.5 x 10(-7)mol/L) of calmodulin to 7.0 pg (1.0 x 10(-16)mol or 2.4 x 10(-7)mol/L) for bovine serum albumin (BSA) without signal filtering or active thermal control. This development shows that a universal detector based on backscatter interferometry can be used effectively for on-chip label-free solute analysis.

Animals↗

Experimental determination of the center of resistance of the upper first molar in a macerated, dry human skull submitted to horizontal headgear traction.

Laser speckle interferometry, recently developed for noninvasive measurement of small displacements (microns), was used to study the movement of maxillary molars submitted to extraoral traction. Using an antenna-headgear at different horizontal levels, loadings of 700 gm were applied perpendicular to the long axes of these teeth. Bodily movement was observed when the traction line passed slightly occlusal to the trifurcation of the roots. Therefore, the center of resistance of the upper molar was experimentally localized at this level. Laser speckle interferometry proved to be a promising technique for dental research.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Smoking associated with damage to the lipid layer of the ocular surface.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of smoking on ocular surface. DESIGN: Prospective, comparative, interventional case series. METHODS: setting: Institutional. study population: Sixty smokers (33 men, 27 women) and 34 healthy subjects (18 men, 16 women) were enrolled into this study. Patients with associated ophthalmic or systemic diseases, and history of contact lens use and ocular surgery were excluded. The duration of average smoking was 13.1 years (range 5 to 35 years). INTERVENTION: Ocular surface was evaluated by measuring corneal and conjunctival sensitivity, surface staining with fluorescein, tear film breakup time, Schirmer 1 test, and conjunctival impression cytology. Dry eye symptoms were scored by questionnaire. Kinetic analysis of sequential tear interference images obtained by a DR-1 tear lipid layer interferometry was used to investigate the precorneal lipid layer spread. Results were compared with a control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of subjective complaints with objective parameters in cigarette smokers and normal subjects. RESULTS: In the smoker group, the mean Schirmer 1 test value was 10.8 mm (range 8 to 14 mm). The mean breakup time was 5.3 seconds (range 1 to 10 seconds), the average conjunctival sensitivity was 26.2 mm (range 0 to 45 mm), and the average central corneal sensitivity was 37.6 mm (range 5 to 60 mm). There was no statistically significant difference in goblet cell densities or in Schirmer 1 test values between smokers and controls (P > .05). Higher grades of lipid layer changes were observed in smokers by DR-1 interferometry kinetic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking has deteriorating effects on the lipid layer of precorneal tear film.

Adult↗

Non-invasive methods of assessing the tear film.

The interaction between the tear film and the ocular surface epithelium is crucial for the maintenance of ocular surface health; interference with this relationship may cause dry eye. Several diagnostic techniques have been developed to assess the tear film and diagnose dry eye but many of these tests are invasive and modify the parameter which they are designed to measure. Non-invasive or minimally invasive tests may overcome this problem and provide more reproducible and objective data. One test of this kind is meniscometry, which is particularly useful in assessing tear volume indirectly by measuring tear meniscus radius. The newly developed video-meniscometer, which enables calculation of the meniscus radius digitally, is useful for the diagnosis of tear-deficient dry eye. Video-meniscometry also has other applications, to the study of tear and eye drop turnover, determining the indication for punctal plugs and in demonstrating dysfunction of the tear meniscus. Interferometry of the tear film lipid layer is useful in screening and evaluating dry eye severity and in selecting dry eye candidates for punctal occlusion. It is also useful for analysing tear lipid layer pathophysiology more clearly, especially in combination with meniscometry. Meibometry is a minimally invasive technique to quantify the amount of meibomian lipid on the lid margin. Lipid is blotted onto a plastic tape and the change in optical density is used to calculate lipid uptake. Laser meibometry has increased the scope of this technique for the assessment of meibomian gland dysfunction; also, the delivery of lipids from the lid reservoir to the preocular tear film can be analysed using interferometry and laser meibometry. The present report reviews the application of these techniques to the study of tear film physiology and dry eye.

Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological↗

Optical biometry of the anterior eye segment: interexaminer and intraexaminer reliability of ACMaster.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the interexaminer and intraexaminer reliability of corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth (ACD), and crystalline lens thickness measurements using a commercially available anterior segment optical biometry instrument (ACMaster, Carl Zeiss Meditec) based on partial coherence interferometry (PCI). SETTING: Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. METHODS: Interexaminer reliability and intraexaminer reliability were evaluated in 10 eyes of 10 young volunteers and 11 eyes of 11 cataract patients. The measurements of the interexaminer reliability were taken by 3 examiners. Corneal thickness, ACD, and lens thickness of the intraexaminer reliability were measured twice in all eyes by 1 examiner. To evaluate the effect of cycloplegia on the variability, the measurements were performed on 5 volunteers under cyclopentolate 1%. Measurements were performed using the prototype of the ACMaster based on PCI. RESULTS: The interexaminer/intraexaminer reliabilities were 99.9% for corneal thickness and ACD. The reliability of lens thickness could not be estimated because of a large number of missing values in the cataract patient group. The median interexaminer variability (SD) was 1.9 microm for corneal thickness, 7.5 microm for ACD, and 10.6 microm for lens thickness. The median intraexaminer variability (SD) was 1.6 microm for corneal thickness, 10.8 microm for ACD, and 8.7 microm for lens thickness. With cycloplegia, both the interexaminer variability and intraexaminer variability were smaller than without cycloplegia. CONCLUSIONS: Partial coherence interferometry measurements of anterior chamber distances (corneal thickness, ACD, lens thickness) using the prototype of ACMaster were highly reliable, allowing examiner-independent measurements. However, lens thickness measurements in cataract eyes were often difficult.

Adult↗