Medical Imaging On Computational Load and Suitable System Architecture for Ophthalmology

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Optical coherence tomography enables the creation of high-resolution cross-sectional images of fine tissue structures. Increasing image rates, 3D imaging, and the integration of AI are raising the demands on computing power and system architecture of the industrial PCs used.

The early and thus timely diagnosis of diseases is a crucial factor for treatment success. This is especially evident in ophthalmology, where medical professionals examine highly sensitive structures such as the retina, optic nerve, or cornea. While ultrasound and X-rays have become established for general purposes, optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows very precise and non-invasive imaging of the finest tissue layers in the eye.

The technology, often referred to as an "optical biopsy," uses low-energy near-infrared and interferometry. This allows real-time images with micrometer resolution to be generated. Although OCT is increasingly being used in cardiology and dermatology, ophthalmology remains the primary field of application due to its high demand for precise images.

A Growing Data Load

With the demand for faster diagnoses and more precise, data-driven clinical decisions, such OCT systems are evolving very rapidly. Hardware developers in particular are struggling with increasing computing power and data bandwidth demands.

A low latency between image capture and visualization is crucial. Any delay impacts the diagnosis, particularly when tiny anomalies in retinal layers need to be reliably detected. Additionally, modern systems must handle increasingly large data volumes: fast A-scans for eye depth profiles generate very high data streams per second, while wider fields of view and the growing prevalence of volumetric 3D imaging demand high throughput.

Additionally, artificial intelligence is being utilized. An AI-powered overlay displays potential pathological changes. This information must be provided without noticeable delay to avoid disrupting the clinical workflow. To process the large data volumes from high-performance cameras and frame grabber cards, precise coordination of CPU performance, GPU acceleration, memory bandwidth, and high-speed I/O interfaces is required.

The Computational Foundations Matter

To meet these requirements, increasingly powerful industrial motherboards based on the latest processor generations are being used in medical imaging systems. Platforms for Intel Core processors of the 12th, 13th, and 14th generations support configurations with up to 24 cores, a thermal design power (TDP) of 65 W, and up to 36 MB cache.

To process the data streams from cameras and sensors in parallel, such computing capacities are necessary. High-speed signal acquisition and real-time reconstruction depend on efficiently distributing computationally intensive workloads across multiple cores without compromising the system's responsiveness.

Another critical factor is storage capacity. Supporting up to 192 GB of DDR5 memory enables the buffering of extensive optical datasets and accelerates complex reconstruction processes such as interpolation, noise reduction, segmentation, and image enhancement. As conventional DDR4 memory architectures are gradually being phased out, DDR5 also provides OEMs with long-term investment protection for extended product lifecycles.

Bandwidth and Peripherals in the Clinical Environment

In high-performance OCT systems, raw computing power alone is not sufficient: the data must also be transmitted losslessly and with minimal latency between capture hardware, graphics processors (GPUs), and displays. Expansion interfaces such as PCIe x16 Gen5 and Gen4 play a crucial role here. They enable the direct integration of frame grabber cards and dedicated GPUs, which handle rendering and thereby offload the CPU. Some newer camera architectures now forward image data directly to the motherboard for CPU-controlled processing. This brings the performance of the motherboard even more into focus.

For clinical routines, where medical professionals often require multiple views simultaneously, such as live imaging, retinal thickness maps, and segmentation views, systems must also feature versatile display interfaces. Motherboards with up to four independent 4K outputs via DisplayPort, HDMI, and eDP simplify the setup of multi-screen workstations. Additionally, single-cable solutions via USB Type-C are gaining importance, as they combine power supply, audio, touch functionality, and peripherals on medical monitors. This simplifies installations in examination rooms and improves ergonomics.

The advancement of OCT into faster, AI-supported, and volumetric 3D methods demands uncompromising computational power, high bandwidth, and stable platforms. The meticulous design of motherboard architecture, memory expansion, and peripheral connections is key for developers of medical imaging systems to reliably meet the growing demands of clinical practice. 

*Christoph Kühn is Medical Key Account Sales Manager at Advantech Europe.