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Stepper Motor Linear Actuators Provide the Precise Motion Needed for Optical Coherence Tomography

Linear Actuator Optical

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging test used to diagnose a wide range of eye conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, retinal disease and many other conditions.

OCT functions like an ultrasound, except it uses light waves instead of sound waves to map the shape of the retina and optic nerve. Optometrists looking at OCT images can detect areas of the eye that are abnormal or indicate early damage before they affect a patient’s vision. Early detection plays an important role in halting the progress of macular degeneration or other issues before they cause irreversible vision damage.

The camera-like devices used for OCT applications scan a patient’s eye several thousand times per second. Small, powerful and highly precise Stepper Motor Linear Actuators move the cameras in a variety of positions to create high-resolution scans.

Challenges:

  • Developing a range of miniature scanning probes is a complex task.

  • Non-iterative digital focusing methods are needed to alleviate the compromise between lateral resolution and depth measurement.

  • Topmost sensitivity is required ~2um.

  • Systems should be able to create axial resolution of 3–5 μm and a lateral resolution of 3–8 μm. Preferred Motion Solutions – HKP Stepper Motor Linear Actuators

The compact size, high performance and exceptional endurance of HKP’s hybrid actuators make them popular choices for a wide range of medical devices, including OCT scanners.
HKP’s captive and non-captive hybrid actuators turn a rotor drive nut on a stainless-steel precision acme lead screw. This patented interface reduces tolerances and noise while significantly increasing durability over v-thread or bronze nut configuration that are commonly used in other linear actuators.

For OCT applications, stability (once in position) is paramount, as is quiet and smooth operation. HKP actuators deliver these capabilities, and are available in three different designs:

  • Captive

  • Non-Captive

  • External

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