Patent Description:
The apparatus and method can be used for the detection of amyloid in the retina and brain. This can be achieved solely with OCT by identification of a spectral signature of an amyloid in an OCT data set and or the anatomic location of plaques. The detection can also be achieved by varying the wavelength of the OCT device and analyzing the generated signal to derive an amyloid signal. This can also be achieved by a combination of OCT with multispectral imaging or the use of multispectral imaging alone or the use of autofluorescence or a contrast agent together with OCT. In each of the modalities the spectral signature can be obtained by spectral analysis and image processing. The image processing can identify the spectral wavelength and the spectral signature identified with amyloid in the retina and the brain using image processing techniques.

The apparatus and method utilizes a plurality of traditional optical coherence tomography (OCT) and current fundus imaging techniques for the visualization of amyloid in the retina or the brain through a combination of optical technology in combination with spectral analysis and image processing. By operating a plurality of OCT and multispectral imaging devices at a plurality of specific wavelengths a spectral signature of amyloid-beta plaques are allowed to be obtained from a data set utilizing image processing.

The apparatus and method utilizes a plurality of different operating modes and configurations such as a hand-held instrument or a mounted slit lamp, an integrated slit lamp, an integrated fundus camera, a scanning laser ophthalmoscope, or an optical head (such as a fundus camera) attached to a separate chinrest-joystick assembly.

The apparatus and method utilizes OCT and/or multispectral imaging in combination with standard or proprietary spectral wavelength selection, spectral analysis, and image processing to identify amyloid in the retina (or brain) rendering it visible to a clinician.

<CIT> discloses imaging of of the anterior segment of the eye using a slit lamp. <CIT> (prior art under Article <NUM>(<NUM>) EPC) discloses imaging the anterior and posterior region of the eye using a slit lamp, wherein amyloid in the retina can be detected. <CIT> discloses to diagnose Alzheimer's disease from images of amyloid-beta plaques in the retina.

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:.

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.

The phrase "in one embodiment" is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms "comprising", "having" and "including" are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded perspective view of an apparatus <NUM> for producing an image of an eye, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The image is an image of an amyloid-beta plaque, an amyloid or an amyloid-beta peptide or other pathology or anatomical features in the eye or brain of a user. The apparatus <NUM> detects the amyloid-beta plaque, the amyloid or the amyloid-beta peptide by a spectral signature. The apparatus <NUM> performs a maximum and minimum intensity projection (MIP/MinIP).

The apparatus for producing an image of an eye <NUM> includes a video camera <NUM>, video camera optics <NUM>, a camera housing <NUM> mounted on a slit lamp chinrest and joystick assembly <NUM> and illumination source optics <NUM>. The video camera <NUM> is a digital camera but can be any type of suitable camera for use with the apparatus for producing an image of an eye <NUM>. The slit lamp chinrest and joystick assembly <NUM> includes a head support <NUM>, a movable base <NUM>, a joystick <NUM>, and a housing support <NUM>. The head support <NUM> holds the patient's chin and forehead in a known, fixed position. The head support <NUM> is provided with a plurality of elevation adjustments to provide a comfortable resting place for the patient's head. The position of the camera housing <NUM> relative to the head support <NUM> can be adjusted in both relative gross and fine increments using the joystick <NUM>. The apparatus for producing an image of an eye <NUM> is used in combination with a computer system <NUM>, which is described in greater detail in <FIG>. The computer system <NUM> can be any suitable computer system <NUM> that can be used in combination with the apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM>.

The personal computer <NUM> forms the center of the apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM>, processing data and controlling the operation of other components of the apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM>. Connected to the personal computer <NUM> is a video camera <NUM>. An observation video monitor which can be the screen of the personal computer, a slit lamp chinrest and joystick assembly <NUM>, illumination source optics <NUM>, and video camera optics <NUM> are associated with the camera housing <NUM>.

The personal computer <NUM> is a relatively compact computer, embedded computer, or tablet computer of relatively high processing power using a standardized operating system and having standardized card slots for interfacing peripheral equipment such as memory cards, video board, printer and a monitor. The personal computer <NUM> will run customized software as will be described in detail later. The monitor or screen of the personal computer will have very-high-resolution color graphics capability appropriate for displaying images under analysis.

The digitizing board accepts a digital file or video input from video camera <NUM> and functions as a "frame grabber," or display. That is, when activated by a signal from the personal computer <NUM>, the digitizing board will collect video and/or digital data and images from video camera <NUM> at that instant and store into digital data. The digital data produced is stored in memory and made available to personal computer <NUM> for analysis.

<FIG> illustrates a side perspective view of a camera housing <NUM> of the chinrest and joystick assembly <NUM>, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The camera housing <NUM> containing the video camera <NUM> illumination source(s) and optics <NUM> is proximate to a sectioned patient eyeball EB with a cornea C and a retina R. Housing <NUM> may be cylindrical or of any other suitable shape. The housing <NUM> has no forward protruding parts, which prevents accidental direct contact of any part of the apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM> with the patient's cornea C or facial features during movement of the housing <NUM> relative to the patient's eyes. This is advantageous since there is no contact with the patient's cornea C to accomplish examination and image capture. The external housing <NUM> and the optics have been designed to maintain some distance to the cornea C, increasing patient comfort while any testing is being performed. A flexible interface such as a rubber cup <NUM> can be provided at the interface between the housing <NUM> and the patient's eyeball EB.

The inclusion of illumination source optics <NUM>, camera optics <NUM> and the video camera <NUM> in the camera housing120 provides a high degree of accessibility. By placing all elements of the apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM> in one camera housing <NUM>, allows for an affordable design. Additionally, the relatively small design of the apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM> compared to that of a fundus camera for observation and image capture provides for a shorter and more efficient optical pathway. The compact design and simplicity of optics <NUM>,<NUM> reduces production costs and permits greater ease of use by the operator. The design of the apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM> allows imaging through a smaller pupil as compared to a fundus camera.

Video camera <NUM> is relatively compact and incorporates a color or monochrome CCD, CMOS, or multi /hyper-spectral image sensor. The focus of the patient may also be achieved by focus of internal optical elements of the digital camera. Lens contained inside camera <NUM> may be focused automatically or manually by observing the image displayed on an observation video monitor. Alternatively, an electronic auto-focusing control system could be provided for automatically adjusting the focus of lens inside camera <NUM>. The video camera <NUM> can also contain a monochrome or color CCD or CMOS sensor (not shown).

The observation optics <NUM> associated with the video camera <NUM> include the lens <NUM>, an observation aperture <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>. The observation aperture <NUM> and the filter <NUM> transmit light reflected from the retina R to the lens <NUM> and to the video camera <NUM>. The filter <NUM> is an infrared stepping filter (or other filter for other imaging procedures) which improves the contrast of the image seen by the video camera <NUM>.

Indo-cyanine green angiography, color fundus photography, autofluorescence, or fluorescein angiography, curcumin fluorescence imaging, or other filter sets may be utilized by the apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM>. These filters will be mounted so as to be selectively rotatable in and out of the view axis of the video camera <NUM> according to the function being performed. The rotation may be accomplished manually or under computer servo control.

The projection optics <NUM> of the invention projects light onto the retina R, off axis at an angle to the central axis <NUM> of lens <NUM> of video camera <NUM>. The projection optics <NUM> includes a lamp <NUM>, a lamp lens group <NUM>, a mirror <NUM>, and a projection aperture <NUM>. A control <NUM> is provided to adjust the intensity and position of the lamp <NUM>, either manually or under the control of the computer system <NUM>. The control is also used to sequentially control multiple lamps <NUM>, shifting optical elements, and flipping masks <NUM>, LED flipping internal fixation pointer <NUM>, and image capture trigger.

The light from lamp <NUM> passes through aperture <NUM> and the series of lamp lens group <NUM> that typically has two lenses. The lenses of lamp lens group <NUM> concentrate the light output of lamp <NUM>. Lamp lens group <NUM> may consist of multiple lenses or a single aspheric lens. The light is then deflected by mirror <NUM> which is placed at a critical pitch angle relative to the video camera <NUM> and the projection optics <NUM>. The light passes from the mirror <NUM> past the flipping mask <NUM> which concentrates the light. The light then passes through a plurality of small pupil masks <NUM>. The light then passes through the objective lens <NUM>. The light then passes past the cornea C and is projected onto retina R.

All the masks and apertures used, such as flipping mask <NUM> and aperture149 and <NUM>, are appropriately sized apertures. Although the lamp <NUM> has been described as a generalized LED lamp, it should be noted that the lamp <NUM> can be any source of radiant energy. In one embodiment, the lamp <NUM> is an infrared illumination source, and the specifications of filter <NUM> are adjusted accordingly to pass the wavelength of the lamp <NUM>. Infrared illumination may be particularly desirable for alignment prior to acquiring images without the problems generated by lack of pupil dilation. The image can be captured in a relatively dark room using infrared illumination, so that the eye being imaged is naturally dilated. There is also a means for sequentially turning the light source on and off in synchronization with image capture under each condition, which is a computer system <NUM>, further described in <FIG>.

In another embodiment which addresses the problems caused by lack of pupil dilation during imaging, the lamp <NUM> may be strobed in full color, red free, NIR or other wavelength (based on imaging procedure desired) during image acquisition rather than being kept on constantly, thereby preventing the energy of lamp <NUM> from narrowing the pupil prior to image capture. Because of the unique design of the projection optics <NUM> and the capabilities of the image processing and analysis software employed, useful image data from each image can be collected with minimum pupil dilation. Specifically, the pupils of the eye being imaged may have a diameter of as little as <NUM>. The projection optics <NUM> projects light onto the retina R off axis from the observation path of video camera <NUM>. Another embodiment places an adjustable mask <NUM> adjacent to objective lens <NUM> that adjust to the patient's pupil to optimize the image when the pupil is small.

<FIG> illustrates a front overhead perspective view of an eyecup <NUM>, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The eyecup <NUM> protrudes outward from the perimeter <NUM> at an approximate <NUM>% increase at the approximate <NUM>° <NUM> and <NUM>°degree <NUM> positions on the perimeter <NUM>. Further details regarding the eyecup <NUM> are described in <FIG> and its description.

<FIG> is an exploded diagonal side perspective diagram of a computer system <NUM>, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Such a computer system <NUM> includes a processing unit such as a CPU <NUM> connected by a bus to a random access memory or RAM <NUM>, a storage device <NUM>, a keyboard <NUM>, a display <NUM> and a mouse <NUM>. In addition, there is software <NUM> for entry of data embodying the apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM>. An example of a computer system <NUM> can be a Dell personal computer operating on the Microsoft Windows operating system, or Linux, Macintosh, etc. The invention can also be used on a laptop computer, cell phone, PDA, Apple™ Mac™, tablet, or other computerized device. The computerized system <NUM> can also be used in combination with a wireless modem <NUM> or network interface card <NUM>.

The various method embodiments of the invention will be generally implemented by a computer executing a sequence of program instructions for carrying out the steps of the method, assuming all required data for processing is accessible to the computer. The sequence of program instructions may be embodied in a computer program product comprising media storing the program instructions. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Any kind of computer/server system(s) or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software could be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when loaded and executed, carries out the method, and variations on the method as described herein.

Any combination of one or more computer usable or computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. Specific examples of the computer-readable medium can include a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or flash memory or a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). In the context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can be used by or in connection with the instruction execution system or apparatus. Computer program code for carrying out operations of the overall method may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions means which implement the function specified in the steps.

The computer program instruction may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions specified.

<FIG> illustrates a side perspective view of an apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM> utilized in combination with a microscope <NUM>, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> illustrates a side perspective view of an apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM> that has all of the same components of the apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM> described in <FIG>, except the microscope <NUM> and the computer system <NUM>. The apparatus for producing an image of an eye <NUM> includes a video camera <NUM>, video camera optics <NUM>, a camera housing <NUM> mounted on a patient alignment assembly <NUM> and illumination source optics <NUM>. The microscope assembly <NUM> includes a support <NUM>, a movable base <NUM>, and housing support <NUM>. The position of the camera housing <NUM> relative to the head support <NUM> can be adjusted in both gross and fine increments using the joystick <NUM>. The microscope <NUM> can be any suitable microscope that can be used in combination with the apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the apparatus and method, OCT data is presented with traditional OCT display modalities and/or en face to produce a plurality of familiar retinal images.

In one embodiment of the apparatus and method, OCT is performed using a plurality of specific wavelengths that allow for the visualization of amyloid in the retina and the brain. A plurality of OCT data sets are obtained and analysis is performed to identify a plurality of spectral signature components of the amyloid. These spectral components that correspond to the amyloid are subsequently displayed in the OCT data sets that include an en face presentation. Spectral signal characteristics can be combined with other specific spectral components to render traditional OCT data sets in combination with the amyloid spectral data set.

In another embodiment of the apparatus and method, a minimum threshold technique in combination with an adaptive spectral windowing technique is applied to the data sets to render visualization of previous unseen features in the OCT data sets. In another embodiment of the apparatus and method, this technique is applied to not only amyloid but also other pathology and also anatomical features of the retina.

In another embodiment of the apparatus and method, the OCT device is operated at a plurality of different and specific spectral wavelengths to tease out desired signature and information.

In another embodiment of the apparatus and method, the apparatus and method utilizes multispectral imaging to image amyloid and other retinal pathology and features without the use of dyes or contrast agents. In another embodiment of the apparatus and method, this is accomplished via optical multispectral imaging and/or autofluorescence techniques in which the specific amyloid signal is identified and presented.

In another embodiment of the apparatus and method, curcumin (which binds to the amyloid) is used as a contrast agent in combination with OCT to discreetly identify the amyloid. In another embodiment of the apparatus and method, curcumin is used as a contrast agent in combination with multispectral optical and/or autofluorescence imaging to discreetly identify amyloid in the retina.

Another embodiment of the apparatus and method, includes a non-claimed method of diagnosing macular degeneration and other eye diseases in a mammal that administers a fluorescent marker to the mammal for staining A[beta] peptides, imaging the mammal's retina with optical coherence tomography OCT, examining the data sets for stained A[beta] peptides and diagnosing the mammal as having macular degeneration or another eye disease if stained A[beta] peptides are present.

Another embodiment of the apparatus and method, wherein a fluorescent marker is selected from the group including but not limited to curcumin, curcumin derivatives, Thioflavin S and derivatives, Thioflavin T and derivatives, Congo Red and derivatives, methoxy-X04, Pittsburgh CompoundB (PiB), DDNP, Chrysamine-G and combinations thereof.

Another embodiment of the apparatus and method, wherein the OCT system is used with components including a spectrometer, a fluorescence microscope, a stereomicroscope, a mercury arc lamp, a variable wavelength light source, a xenon arc lamp, and LED, a tunable light source or swept source, a CCD gated camera, a color digital camera, an acoustic-optic tunable filter-based spectral image acquisition system, adaptive optics, imaging software, and combinations thereof.

Another embodiment of the apparatus for the prognosing of macular degeneration and other eye disease in a mammal that includes identification of A[beta] peptides, imaging the subject's retina with OCT and/or multispectral imaging / autofluorescence, examining the images for A[beta] peptides, quantitating the increase/decrease of A[beta] peptides in the subject's retina, as compared to a prior diagnosis and rendering a prognosis based upon the level of A[beta] peptides in the subject's retina including but not limited to number, area and volume.

Another embodiment of the apparatus for the prognosing of macular degeneration and other eye disease in a mammal that includes identification of A[beta] peptides, imaging the subject's retina with OCT and/or multispectral imaging / autofluorescence, examining the images for A[beta] Peptides, quantitating the increase/decrease of A[beta] peptides in the subject's retina, as compared to a prior diagnosis in combination with a normative database and rendering a prognosis based upon the level of A[beta] peptides in the subject's retina (including but not limited to number, area and volume).

Another embodiment of the apparatus for the prognosing of traumatic brain injury and other neurodegenerative disease in a mammal that includes identification of A[beta] peptides, imaging the subject's retina with OCT and/or multispectral imaging / autofluorescence, examining the images for A[beta].

Peptides, quantitating the increase/decrease of A[beta] peptides in the subject's retina, as compared to a prior diagnosis in combination with a normative database and rendering a prognosis based upon the level of A[beta] peptides in the subject's retina (including but not limited to number, area and volume).

Another embodiment of the apparatus and method, is to perform a Maximum/Minimum Intensity Projection (MIP/MiniP) and/or in combination with other specific discreet spectral signatures on OCT and/or multispectral images for the identification of amyloid in the retina (or brain) and other retinal features and pathology including but not limited to choroidal neovascularization. Maximum intensity projection (MIP) and minimum intensity projection (MiniP) are defined as volume rendering techniques in which suitable editing methods are used to define a volume of interest (VOI). All of the image data set may be used, or the volume may be confined to a region of interest (ROI).

In one embodiment of the apparatus and method, only desired features are included or excluded from the VOI and actual images are generated by projecting the volume of interest into a viewing plane and displaying the maximum OCT scan numbers (for MIP) or the minimum OCT numbers (for MiniP) that are encountered along the direction of the projection to ensure that optimum contrast is produced between small, high-contrast structures and surrounding tissues.

<FIG> illustrates a side perspective view of a hand held apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM>, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The hand held apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM> includes all of the same components of the apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM> described in <FIG> and can be used in combination with a microscope <NUM> (<FIG>) or a computer system <NUM> (<FIG>). The hand held apparatus for imaging an eye <NUM> utilizes a hand-held housing <NUM> instead of a camera housing <NUM> as described in <FIG> and <FIG>, but utilizes all of the same optical and electrical components disposed within the hand-held housing <NUM>.

The hand-held apparatus for producing an image of an eye <NUM> may also utilize a flexible eyecup <NUM> that could be fixed to the hand-held apparatus for producing an image of an eye <NUM>, or be utilized as a disposable flexible eyecup that attaches to the end <NUM> of the apparatus for producing an image of an eye for use on each patient. The flexible eyecup <NUM> could be made of baffled flexible material <NUM> such as rubber, plastic, or any type of suitable material that gently surrounds the patient's eye to create a darkened environment and could also be used to hold a patient's eyelids open. The flexible eyecup <NUM> could have an angular spring internal mechanism <NUM> that holds the patient's eyelids open. The baffles <NUM> are flexible to allow for adjustable and proper positioning around the patient's eye.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a plurality of various components <NUM> that can be utilized in combination with an apparatus for imaging an eye, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

These components <NUM> include are selected from the group consisting of a spectrometer <NUM>, a fluorescence microscope <NUM>, a stereomicroscope <NUM>, a mercury arc lamp <NUM>, a variable wavelength light source <NUM>, a xenon arc lamp <NUM>, an LED light <NUM>, a tunable light source or swept source <NUM>, a CCD gated camera <NUM>, a color digital camera <NUM>, an acoustic-optic tunable filter-based spectral image acquisition system <NUM>, a plurality of adaptive optics <NUM>, imaging software <NUM> and any combinations thereof. The apparatus <NUM> is utilized in combination with one or more contrasting agents that are selected from the group consisting of curcumin, curcumin derivatives, Thioflavin S and derivatives, Thioflavin T and derivatives, Congo Red and derivatives, methoxy-X04, Pittsburgh CompoundB (PiB), DDNP, Chrysamine-G and any combination thereof.

<FIG> is a method <NUM> for diagnosing an eye disease in a mammal, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The steps of the method <NUM> include administering a contrasting agent to the mammal to stain one or more A[beta] peptides <NUM>, imaging the mammal's retina with optical coherence tomography <NUM>, examining a plurality of data sets from the stained A[beta] peptides <NUM> and diagnosing the mammal as having the eye disease if the stained A[beta] peptides are present <NUM>. The administering a contrasting agent to the mammal to stain one or more A[beta] peptides <NUM> can be accomplished with one or more contrasting agents are selected from the group consisting of curcumin, curcumin derivatives, Thioflavin S and derivatives, Thioflavin T and derivatives, Congo Red and derivatives, methoxy-X04, Pittsburgh CompoundB (PiB), DDNP, Chrysamine-G and any combination thereof. The imaging the mammal's retina with optical coherence tomography <NUM> can be accomplished with the apparatus to produce an image of an eye of a patient that is previously described in <FIG> and <FIG> and its components that include a digital video camera that includes video camera optics, illumination source optics and a camera housing with a perimeter that houses the video camera optics and the illumination source optics, a slit lamp chinrest and joystick assembly that includes an adjustable head support , a movable base, a joystick that adjusts a position of the camera housing relative to the head support and the housing support that mounts the video camera, a rubber eyecup that provides an interface between the camera housing and the patient's eye that protrudes outward from the perimeter and a computer system. The examining a plurality of data sets from the stained A[beta] peptides <NUM> is accomplished typically with the computer system previously described in <FIG>. The diagnosing the mammal as having the eye disease if the stained A[beta] peptides are present <NUM> is straightforwardly an indication characteristic of the stained A[beta] peptides.

<FIG> is a non-claimed method <NUM> for diagnosing an eye disease in a mammal, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The method <NUM> includes administering a fluorescent marker to the mammal to stain one or more A[beta] peptides <NUM>, imaging the mammal's retina with optical coherence tomography <NUM>, examining a plurality of data sets from the stained A[beta] peptides <NUM> and quantitating an increase or decrease of the A[beta] peptides in the mammal's retina and rendering a prognosis based upon a level of the A[beta] peptides <NUM>.

The administering a contrasting agent to the mammal to stain one or more A[beta] peptides <NUM> can be accomplished with one or more contrasting agents are selected from the group consisting of curcumin, curcumin derivatives, Thioflavin S and derivatives, Thioflavin T and derivatives, Congo Red and derivatives, methoxy-X04, Pittsburgh CompoundB (PiB), DDNP, Chrysamine-G and any combination thereof. The imaging the mammal's retina with optical coherence tomography <NUM> can be accomplished with the apparatus to produce an image of an eye of a patient that is previously described in <FIG> and <FIG> and its components that include a digital video camera that includes video camera optics, illumination source optics and a camera housing with a perimeter that houses said video camera optics and said illumination source optics, a slit lamp chinrest and joystick assembly that includes an adjustable head support , a movable base, a joystick that adjusts a position of said camera housing relative to said head support and the housing support that mounts the video camera, a rubber eyecup that provides an interface between the camera housing and the patient's eye that protrudes outward from the perimeter and a computer system. The examining a plurality of data sets from the stained A[beta] peptides <NUM> is accomplished typically with the computer system previously described in <FIG>. The quantitating an increase or decrease of the A[beta] peptides in the mammal's retina and rendering a prognosis based upon a level of the A[beta] peptides <NUM> is accomplished typically with the computer system previously described in <FIG>.

The method <NUM> includes administering a fluorescent marker to the mammal to stain one or more A[beta] peptides <NUM>, imaging the mammal's retina with optical coherence tomography <NUM>, examining a plurality of data sets from the stained A[beta] peptides <NUM> and quantitating an increase or decrease of the A[beta] peptides in the mammal's retina as compared to a prior diagnosis in combination with a normative database and rendering a prognosis based upon a level of the A[beta] peptides <NUM>.

The administering a contrasting agent to the mammal to stain one or more A[beta] peptides <NUM> can be accomplished with one or more contrasting agents are selected from the group consisting of curcumin, curcumin derivatives, Thioflavin S and derivatives, Thioflavin T and derivatives, Congo Red and derivatives, methoxy-X04, Pittsburgh CompoundB (PiB), DDNP, Chrysamine-G and any combination thereof. The imaging the mammal's retina with optical coherence tomography <NUM> can be accomplished with the apparatus to produce an image of an eye of a patient that is previously described in <FIG> and <FIG> and its components that include a digital video camera that includes video camera optics, illumination source optics and a camera housing with a perimeter that houses said video camera optics and said illumination source optics, a slit lamp chinrest and joystick assembly that includes an adjustable head support , a movable base, a joystick that adjusts a position of said camera housing relative to said head support and the housing support that mounts the video camera, a rubber eyecup that provides an interface between the camera housing and the patient's eye that protrudes outward from the perimeter and a computer system. The examining a plurality of data sets from the stained A[beta] peptides <NUM> is accomplished typically with the computer system previously described in <FIG>. The quantitating an increase or decrease of the A[beta] peptides in the mammal's retina as compared to a prior diagnosis in combination with a normative database and rendering a prognosis based upon a level of the A[beta] peptides <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) to produce an image of amyloid-beta plaques in an eye of a patient, comprising:
- an optical head that includes a digital camera (<NUM>), a plurality of imaging optics (<NUM>), a plurality of illumination source optics (<NUM>) and a camera housing (<NUM>) with a perimeter that houses said digital camera (<NUM>), plurality of imaging optics (<NUM>) and said illumination source optics (<NUM>)
- either a slit lamp chinrest and joystick assembly (<NUM>) that includes an adjustable head support (<NUM>), a movable base (<NUM>), a joystick (<NUM>) that adjusts a position of said camera housing relative to said head support and a housing support (<NUM>) that mounts said optical head; or a hand-held assembly (<NUM>) that includes the optical head and a hand grip for operation;
- a rubber eyecup (<NUM>) that provides an interface between said camera housing (<NUM>) and said patient's eye that protrudes outward from said perimeter to hold eye lids open; and
- a computer system (<NUM>) that (a) includes a live viewing image display window (<NUM>) that is configured to display a live video image having an amyloid-beta plaque, an amyloid, a drusen, an amyloid containing deposit, or an amyloid-beta peptide, and is configured to (b) provide a plurality of alignment aids, (c) process data, and (d) control said optical head and said digital camera and said illumination source optics, wherein said apparatus is configured to be utilized in combination with one or more components that are selected from the group consisting of a spectrometer (<NUM>), a fluorescence microscope (<NUM>), a stereomicroscope (<NUM>), a mercury arc lamp (<NUM>), a variable wavelength light source (<NUM>), a xenon arc lamp (<NUM>), an LED light (<NUM>), a tunable light source or swept source (<NUM>), a CCD gated camera (<NUM>), a color digital camera (<NUM>), an acoustic-optic tunable filter-based spectral image acquisition system (<NUM>), a plurality of adaptive optics (<NUM>), imaging software (<NUM>) and any combinations thereof, wherein said apparatus is configured to detect by spectral analysis a spectral reflectance signature of said amyloid-beta plaque, said amyloid, said drusen, said amyloid containing deposit, or said amyloid-beta peptide, from a data set utilizing image processing.