Triton triumph – success follows Topcon launch

Topcon is marking a milestone following the launch of its next generation of optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices, the ‘swept source DRI OCT Triton’ series.

The company is highlighting that there are now over 100 systems installed throughout the UK and Ireland since the launch of the Triton at Optrafair last year. Additionally, a significant number of the sites are now using the latest ‘SS OCT Angio’ module, which enables non-invasive blood flow measurement of the retina.

According to Topcon, in these early days of the technology, the crucial component with ‘SS OCT Angio’ is the algorithm which is used to generate the flow images.

For this the company uses a unique ratio-analysis technique called Octara. In combination with the sweeping frequency laser, it enhances sensitivity to areas with low blood flow, enabling clear images of retinal vascular pathology and fine capillary flow.

This is further enhanced by the company’s new tracking system, which pauses when it detects eye movements to eliminate movement artefacts.

“A significant advantage of this technology in the optometric environment is the early diagnosis ‘SS OCT Angio’ can provide for conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and an increasing amount of evidence pointing to blood flow in early glaucoma,” explained Topcon GB imaging product manager Tim Cole.

“The potential for optometrists in practice to monitor patients using this technology is significant, and could have a major impact on the over-burdened hospital system,” he highlighted.

Mr Cole added: “Our hospital and optometric sites have also benefitted from the greater penetrating quality of swept-source OCT compared to spectral-domain OCT, allowing scanning of even the most complicated and challenging patients.

“The peaking frequency at 1050nm is invisible to the human eye, greatly reducing movement artefacts and crucially, stopping the light source from being scattered by cataracts or obscured by haemorrhages.

“The long wavelength also allows penetration of the deep ocular tissues, including the retinal pigment epithelium and even the sclera.”

Integration benefits

One of the biggest benefits following the launch has been the integration into existing, historical Topcon data sets and instrumentation.

The latest imaging platform, ‘IMAGEnet 6’ enables clinicians to compare the new swept-source against older spectral-domain data. “This is incredibly important considering the huge data sets most hospitals have,” explained Mr Cole.

Providing an example, he told OT that Moorfields Eye Hospital has a database of more than one million Topcon OCT spectral-domain scans to compare with its swept-source scans.

The company highlighted that the Triton has the world’s fastest scanning speed of any commercially available OCT at 100,000 A scans per second. It is also the first and only posterior and anterior segment swept source OCT instrument.

“The crucial benefit of this high scanning speed, which is only possible with swept source technology, is the increased volume of data,” said Mr Cole.

“The Triton captures double the amount of data, 256 B scans per 3D cube, as opposed to the traditional 128, making mapping of the retinal nerve fibre layer, retina, ganglion cell and even the choroid, extremely precise,” he added.

Wide-field scanning (12x9mm) enables fully automated mapping of both the macula and optic disc topography in one single scan, allowing segmentation of the retina, nerve fibre layer, ganglion cell complex and the choroid, potentially halving the number of scans that the patient requires.

“In practical terms, this means we can now capture a scan of both eyes, macula and optic disc, in under 30 seconds, each acquisition taking four to five seconds,” said Mr Cole.

The device comes in two models, the ‘Triton,’ which provides swept-source OCT, ‘true colour’ retinal photography, which is approved for diabetic screening, and ‘SS OCT Angio.’

The ‘Triton plus’ model features all of the above, plus green autofluorescent imaging, traditional fluorescein angiography and ‘SS OCT Angio.’

Several high-profile research projects are currently underway. Looking to the future, Mr Cole told OT: “There is no doubt the ‘DRI OCT Triton’ will continue to rapidly expand its reach.

“With the huge potential of ‘SS OCT Angio’ technology, there is even the possibility of a 90–95% reduction of invasive tests such as fundus fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography in the foreseeable future.”

Mr Cole concluded: “The ‘DRI OCT Triton’ is among a long line of ground-breaking innovative products which showcase our commitment in bringing innovative technology to the optometric market and by doing so, support early diagnosis and enhance patient care.”

For more information, visit the company’s website.