FOCUS ON. . .

An Eye on Clarity

Device offers extremely high resolution in viewing retinal structures.

BY KAREN APPOLD, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Fremont, CA-based Nidek Inc. offers the RS-3000 Advance, a spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system that incorporates a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope designed for comprehensive evaluation of the retinal and choroidal microstructures. The system assists physicians in detecting eye disease early on by providing exquisite detail.

The system, which received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration in 2014, offers three notable design criteria that may set it apart from existing SD-OCT systems — high-definition scanning, very accurate follow-up analysis with Torsion eye tracing (TET), and trend analysis, says Ron Kaiser, director of sales and marketing at Nidek.

The device has three selectable scanning modes, with the fastest (regular) being 53,000 A scans per second. “It can reduce scanning speeds where ocular pathology exists,” Kaiser says. “This increases the ability to gather better images when ocular pathology would otherwise give poor results using regular scan speeds. It’s like opening the shutter on a camera and using longer exposure times.”

The RS-3000 Advance’s fine mode provides 26,500 A scans per second for high-sensitivity image capture, while its ultrafine mode operates at a speed of 13,250 A scans per second, allowing for the enhanced visualization of microstructures.

“Having different scanning modes is of special benefit to physician practices, because insurers don’t reimburse for scans unless they contain useful image data such as pathology,” Kaiser says.

Howard Barnebey, MD, medical director, Specialty Eyecare Centre, Bellevue, WA, who was prompted to try the RS-3000 Advance due to previous experience with other Nidek products, says, “The device offers excellent image quality. I particularly appreciate the ability to adjust the scan speed to visualize media opacities such as cataract or vitreous debris.”

In addition, the system offers precise follow-up analysis TET, which incorporates positioning, tracing, and auto-shot functions. “This is more precise than current eye trackers in terms of accuracy and in ensuring that the scan is in the correct position,” Kaiser says. “TET eliminates any movement artifacts.” It provides for accurate averaging of up to 120 images.

Notably, patients can sit back during a scan and then move back into the proper position — then the scan resumes. “There’s no need to restart the scan from the beginning because of TET,” says Kaiser.

Says Dr. Barnebey, “Torsion tracking improves patient outcomes because it facilitates follow-up exam comparison with high-quality image registration.”

Finally, multifunctional follow-up with trend analysis allows for up to 50 follow-up scans to one baseline on all eight scan patterns.

PRECISION IS A PRIORITY

The RS-3000 Advance also features a high-definition confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope for extremely high resolution in viewing retinal structures and is designed to provide faster, accurate image registration for patients, delivering quick and dependable confirmation of treatment effects.

In addition, the device provides 9 mm by 9 mm thickness maps of the retinal nerve fiber layer and macula, as well as a color-coded thickness map of the nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, and inner plexiform layer — which supplement clinical work-up for the early detection of optic nerve fiber layer defects. The semiautomatic device also offers 12-mm wide horizontal line scans that allow detailed observation from the macula to the optic disc in a single image.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

The RS-3000 Advance is ideal for retina and glaucoma analysis.

“It is especially effective in retinal work involving the choroid — where keen interest prevails today,” says Kaiser, adding that the RS-3000 Advance illuminates at 880 mm and goes deeper into the retina than most competing systems—making viewing and measuring the choroid possible.

The multifunctional follow-up allows analysis of all the data obtained with the OCT and detailed observation of chronological change in retinal thickness and status. This function displays progression of pathology over time.

“The device is straightforward for techs to operate because of autoimage acquisition technology,” Dr. Barnebey says. Intuitive controls enhance its usability.

For patients, faster scan speeds reduce chair time by quickly capturing images. The ergonomic device offers comfort and quietness as well.

The RS-3000 Advance can seamlessly integrate with most electronic medical systems using the NAVIS-EX image filing software, which networks the RS-3000 Advance and other NIDEK imaging devices. RP