TOPI Imaging Technology

About TOPI Imaging Technology

TOPI Imaging Technology is developing a novel method for observing the human retina at a cellular level, called Transscleral Optical Phase Imaging (TOPI). This technique allows for high-contrast, high-resolution imaging of retinal cells, including the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE), with acquisition times fast enough for clinical use. The technology combines transscleral retinal illumination with adaptive optics to enhance the phase contrast of transparent cells. An infrared beam is projected onto the sclera, and the transmitted light provides an oblique illumination of the eye fundus, which helps in revealing the RPE layer underneath the photoreceptor interface.

The primary application of TOPI is to enable the in-vivo observation and quantification of retinal cells, which is crucial for detecting lesions before irreversible vision loss occurs. This can aid in diagnosing and monitoring the progression of retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa. By detecting changes in cell density and morphology at an early stage, TOPI could provide new quantitative endpoints for evaluating the efficacy of treatments and interventions before significant functional loss has happened. The company's technology has been demonstrated to image and quantify RPE cells in healthy human volunteers in a matter of seconds.