  This study introduces a groundbreaking optical coherence tomography (OCT)
imaging system dedicated for high-throughput screening applications using ex
vivo tissue culture. Leveraging OCT's non-invasive, high-resolution
capabilities, the system is equipped with a custom-designed motorized platform
and tissue detection ability for automated, successive imaging across samples.
Transformer-based deep learning segmentation algorithms further ensure robust,
consistent, and efficient readouts meeting the standards for screening assays.
Validated using retinal explant cultures from a mouse model of retinal
degeneration, the system provides robust, rapid, reliable, unbiased, and
comprehensive readouts of tissue response to treatments. This fully automated
OCT-based system marks a significant advancement in tissue screening, promising
to transform drug discovery, as well as other relevant research fields.
