Optical Technology Transfer and Innovation in Ophthalmic Imaging

This book presents a new view of symbiotic technology transfer between different fields in the optical sciences. For example, adaptive optics were initially developed for military research programs seeking to correct the effects of atmospheric fluctuations on telescopes. The technology was subsequently transferred to optical microscopes, and then finally used in ophthalmic imaging devices to image photoreceptors in the living human retina. This book examines various recent and historical technology transfers among the optical sciences, and attempts to answer the following questions: What are the mathematical and the physical foundations of these technology advances? What events and influences (military requirements, new journals, new funding sources, the internet, etc.) made the technologies and their transfer possible? What was the impact of technology transfer on the development of optical science? What role did the human eye and visual system play in technology development? This book examines how innovations propagate from one field to another, illustrating the benefits of cross-disciplinary collaboration. This book is about curiosity, skepticism, innovation, and creativity in science and technology, and explores practices that advance innovation and those that inhibit innovation. Analyses of some selected, pertinent case studies highlight the roles of unique individuals who were able to make the journey from initial concept to widespread clinical acceptance of their instruments. What are the common factors of their education, experiences, and approaches that resulted in their inventions and innovations? This book is intended to inspire and encourage those who dream of advancing the diagnostics and the treatment of diseases through new medical devices. It also addresses budding startup dreamers, venture capitalists, research directors, and funding agency administrators by providing new insights into practices that promote and inhibit innovation. This book should be of interest to scientists and researchers in many fields of optics, as well as technical policy makers at funding institutions.