Improved ophthalmic equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to an ophthalmic device for examining a patient's eyes. The ophthalmic device comprises a housing (2) arranged in a manner defining at least one chamber (20). The housing comprises at least one observation opening (21) adapted to allow the patient to observe the interior of the at least one chamber along at least one corresponding predefined optical path (O). The ophthalmic device comprises an adjustment device capable of continuously adjusting the pupil diameter of at least one eye (100) of the patient.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved ophthalmic device.

[0002] The use of ophthalmic equipment to examine a patient's eye, for example to perform optometric visual field examinations or to diagnose diseases, is well known.

[0003] Some ophthalmic equipment is arranged to measure values ​​related to the patient's eye, such as refractive power, visual field aberration, corneal curvature, intraocular pressure, etc.

[0004] Other ophthalmic devices, such as a "fundus camera" or an OCT / SLO ophthalmoscope, are arranged to acquire images of the retina, such as color or infrared images.

[0005] Typically, when an ophthalmic device is used to examine a patient's eyes, the patient's pupils must be in a dilated state, ie, enlarged relative to their normal state.

[0006] Devices for obtaining pupil diameter dilation are known. One example is described in patent application US 2008 / 0161716 A1.

[0007] Currently available devices of this type often have some unsatisfactory performance, often not being able to provide continuous adjustment of pupil diameter. Furthermore, these are often "stand-alone" devices that cannot be integrated into more complex ophthalmic devices.

[0008] In view of the current state of the art, there is a great need for innovative solutions that can provide a high-end function of adjusting pupil diameter, preferably in combination with other typical functions of ophthalmic instruments.

[0009] A primary object of the present invention is to provide an ophthalmic device that meets this need while reducing or overcoming the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

[0010] Based on this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide an ophthalmic device that is able to provide a very high performance in adjusting the pupil diameter of a patient's eye.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ophthalmic device that is capable of combining the function of adjusting the pupil diameter with other functions of examining the patient's eyes.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ophthalmic device which is easily producible on an industrial scale and which is cost competitive with prior art ophthalmic devices.

[0013] The above-mentioned aims and objectives (and other objectives) will become more clearly apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, and are achieved by an ophthalmic device according to claim 1 and related dependent claims of the claims of the present invention.

[0014] In its general definition, an ophthalmic device according to the present invention comprises a housing defining at least one chamber.

[0015] The housing further comprises a viewing opening adapted to allow a patient to view the interior space of the at least one chamber along at least one corresponding optical path of the ophthalmic device.

[0016] The ophthalmic device according to the invention comprises adjustment means for the pupil diameter of at least one eye of a patient.

[0017] These pupil diameter adjustment devices include:

[0018] - a measuring device adapted to measure the pupil diameter of at least one eye of the patient when the patient observes the interior space of the at least one chamber;

[0019] - visible light illumination means adapted to emit visible light radiation in the interior space of said at least one chamber, comprising at least one visible light source arranged in said at least one chamber;

[0020] - control means operatively associated with said measuring means and said visible light illumination means.

[0021] The control device is adapted to receive measurement data of the pupil diameter of at least one eye of the patient from the measurement device, and control the operation of the visible light illumination device according to the measurement data.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, the measuring device comprises:

[0023] - infrared lighting means, adapted to emit infrared light radiation in the interior space of said at least one chamber, comprising at least one infrared light source arranged in said at least one chamber;

[0024] - an acquisition device adapted to acquire a pupil image of at least one eye of the patient, comprising at least one acquisition unit placed in the at least one chamber and arranged along at least one optical path;

[0025] - Processing means adapted to receive said pupil image of at least one eye of a patient and to provide said measurement data.

[0026] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the housing defines a single chamber.

[0027] According to the embodiments of the present invention, the above-mentioned measuring device comprises at least one infrared light source and an acquisition unit arranged in the single chamber.

[0028] According to other embodiments of the present invention, the housing defines a pair of chambers that are different from each other.

[0029] According to these embodiments of the present invention, the above-mentioned measuring device includes an infrared light source and an acquisition unit arranged in each of the cavities.

[0030] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the housing includes a single viewing opening.

[0031] According to other embodiments of the present invention, the housing includes a pair of observation openings that are different from each other.

[0032] According to one aspect of the present invention, the control device is adapted to perform a first adjustment process of the pupil diameter of at least one eye of the patient. The first adjustment process comprises the following steps:

[0033] a1) deactivating or keeping deactivating the visible light source;

[0034] a.2) obtaining the measurement data in a manner of obtaining a first measurement value of pupil diameter;

[0035] a.3) Wait for a predefined time interval;

[0036] a.4) obtaining the measurement data again in a manner to obtain a second measurement value of pupil diameter;

[0037] a.5) comparing the first measured value of the pupil diameter with the second measured value of the pupil diameter;

[0038] If the pupil diameter is enlarged:

[0039] a.6) comparing the second measured value of the pupil diameter with the first target value of the pupil diameter;

[0040] a.7) if the second measured value of the pupil diameter does not exceed the first target value of the pupil diameter, repeating the first adjustment process;

[0041] a.8) if the second measured value of the pupil diameter exceeds the first target value of the pupil diameter, terminating the first adjustment process;

[0042] If the pupil diameter has not increased:

[0043] a.9) comparing the second measured value of the pupil diameter with the first target value of the pupil diameter;

[0044] a.10) if the second measured value of the pupil diameter does not exceed the first target value of the pupil diameter, terminating the first adjustment process;

[0045] a.11) If the second measured value of the pupil diameter exceeds the first target value of the pupil diameter, terminating the first adjustment process.

[0046] According to one aspect of the present invention, the control device is adapted to perform a second adjustment process of the pupil diameter of at least one eye of the patient. The second adjustment process comprises the following steps:

[0047] b1) activating or keeping activating the visible light source and instructing the visible light source to emit visible light radiation having a light intensity reference value;

[0048] b.2) obtaining the measurement data in a third measurement value manner of obtaining pupil diameter;

[0049] b.3) Wait for a predefined time interval;

[0050] b.4) obtaining the measurement data again in a fourth measurement value manner of obtaining pupil diameter;

[0051] b.5) ​​comparing the third measured value of the pupil diameter with the fourth measured value of the pupil diameter;

[0052] If the pupil diameter is reduced:

[0053] b.6) comparing the fourth measured value of the pupil diameter with a second target value of the pupil diameter;

[0054] b.7) if the fourth measured value of the pupil diameter exceeds the second target value of the pupil diameter, repeating the second adjustment process, keeping the light intensity reference value unchanged;

[0055] b.8) if the fourth measured value of the pupil diameter is less than or equal to the second target value of the pupil diameter, instructing the visible light source to emit visible light radiation having a first new light intensity value lower than the light intensity reference value, and repeating the second adjustment process with the first new light intensity value as a new light intensity reference value;

[0056] If pupil diameter does not decrease:

[0057] b.9) instructing the visible light source to emit visible light radiation having a second new light intensity value higher than the light intensity reference value, and repeating the second adjustment process using the second new light intensity value as a new light intensity reference value.

[0058] According to an aspect of the invention, the ophthalmic apparatus comprises examination means for at least one eye of a patient operatively associated with the at least one chamber.

[0059] The pupil diameter adjustment device can cooperate with the examination device to perform an examination process on at least one eye of the patient.

[0060] Further features and advantages of the ophthalmic device according to the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, which are given for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, in which:

[0061] - Figure 1 schematically shows an embodiment of an ophthalmic device according to the invention; and

[0062] - Figure 2-4 Some further embodiments of the ophthalmic device according to the invention are schematically shown;

[0063] as well as

[0064] - Figure 5-7 The operation of the ophthalmic device according to the invention is schematically shown.

[0065] With reference to the above-mentioned figures, the present invention relates to an ophthalmic apparatus 1 for examining at least one eye 100 of a patient.

[0066] The ophthalmic device 1 according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises means for adjusting the pupil diameter of at least one eye 100 of the patient.

[0067] A particularly important aspect of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 is that it comprises means 200 for examining the eye, which can be operated simultaneously with the means for adjusting the pupil diameter as described above.

[0068] In this way, the ophthalmic device 1 is best able to provide functions that require adjustment of the pupil diameter to be successfully implemented, such as functions for measuring characteristic values ​​of the patient's eyes (refractive power, visual field aberration, corneal curvature, intraocular pressure, etc.) or functions for acquiring retinal images (color, infrared, fluorescence, etc.).

[0069] In general, the ophthalmic device 1 may be of monocular or binocular type and may comprise a single optical path or a pair of optical paths O along which the patient's eye or eyes 100 are positioned during use of the ophthalmic device.

[0070] Each optical path O may be configured differently as required. For example, each optical path O may have a straight path or be configured as a broken line.

[0071] In use, the ophthalmic device 1 may need to be supported, for example like any other tabletop instrument, or may be worn by the user, for example in the form of glasses or a helmet.

[0072] The ophthalmic device 1 comprises an outer shaped housing 2 defining an interior space thereof.

[0073] Typically, the housing 2, for example made of plastic material, can be configured as required.

[0074] According to the invention, the housing 2 is arranged in such a way that one or more chambers 20 are defined internally.

[0075] One or more chambers 20 are so-called "dark rooms" in the sense that during use of the ophthalmic device, without illumination, the luminance value of the interior space thereof is less than 10 -4 nit(cd / m 2 ).

[0076] Preferably, the one or more chambers 20 are intended to shield near infrared light and visible light, for example light having wavelength values ​​in the range between 400 nm and 1250 nm.

[0077] Each chamber 20 can be configured as required. For example, Figure 1 , 3 -4 shows an embodiment of a chamber 20 having a substantially rectangular cross-section, while Figure 2 An embodiment is shown having a chamber 20 that is substantially L-shaped in cross-section.

[0078] Preferably, each chamber 20 is defined by one or more walls 201 of the housing 2 having an anti-reflective surface, preferably black.

[0079] To produce the wall 201 with an anti-reflective surface, known industrial techniques and processes may be used, such as plastic molding or co-molding processes, painting or spraying, applying a layer of plastic or silicone material, sandblasting, shot blasting or similar treatments.

[0080] Preferably, if of the monocular type, the ophthalmic device 1 comprises a single chamber 20 ( Figure 1-2 ), the optical path O extends in the chamber.

[0081] Preferably, if it is a binocular type, the ophthalmic device 1 includes a pair of chambers 20 ( Figure 3 ), the optical path O extends in each chamber.

[0082] However, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, even if the ophthalmic device 1 is of binocular type, a single chamber 20 ( Figure 4 ).

[0083] In this case, a pair of optical paths O extend within the above-mentioned chamber.

[0084] According to the invention, the housing 2 defines a viewing interface 22 of the ophthalmic device.

[0085] At this viewing interface, the housing 2 comprises at least one viewing opening 21 leading to the one or more chambers 20 .

[0086] Each viewing opening 21 is adapted to allow a patient to observe the interior space of the chamber 20 along at least one corresponding optical path O, thereby maintaining one or both eyes in a stable position during use of the ophthalmic device.

[0087] Preferably, if the housing 2 is of the monocular type, it comprises a single viewing opening 21 ( Figure 1-2 ), the patient can observe the internal space of the chamber 20 along the corresponding optical path O through the observation opening.

[0088] Preferably, if the housing 2 is of binocular type, it comprises a pair of viewing openings 21, at each of which the patient can view the corresponding optical path O( Figure 3 )Observe the internal space of each chamber 20.

[0089] However, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the housing 2 may include a single viewing opening 21 at which the patient may view the interior space of one or more chambers 20 along a pair of optical paths O. Figure 4 ).

[0090] Those skilled in the art can easily understand that possible variations of the embodiments all fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0091] For example, the one or more chambers 20 and viewing openings 21 of the housing 2 and the one or more optical paths O of the ophthalmic device 1 may be configured in a variety of ways different from those described above.

[0092] Preferably, at the viewing interface 22, the housing 2 includes one or more contoured surfaces (not shown) against which the patient's face may rest during use of the ophthalmic device.

[0093] Preferably, the ophthalmic device 1 comprises a user interface (not shown), by which an operator can send instructions or receive information.

[0094] The user interface may preferably include a display for displaying data and suitable controls, possibly of the touch screen type.

[0095] If desired, the user interface may be separate or detachable relative to the main body of the ophthalmic device 1 .

[0096] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the ophthalmic device 1 may comprise a suitable communication port for sending / receiving data to / from a remote computer device.

[0097] According to these embodiments of the invention, the ophthalmic device 1 may be connected to a portable computer device which, if desired, may be adapted to serve as a user interface for the device.

[0098] Preferably, the ophthalmic device 1 comprises a control unit adapted to control the operation of said device.

[0099] Preferably, the control unit is operatively associated with the pupil diameter adjustment device, the eye examination device 200, and, where necessary, with the above-mentioned user interface and communication port.

[0100] Preferably, the control unit comprises one or more data processing devices, such as a microprocessor or a digital signal processor, capable of executing software instructions stored in a suitably installed memory to realize the requested functions.

[0101] In each case, the control unit may also preferably comprise suitable analog circuitry operatively associated with said data digital processing means.

[0102] Corresponding scope for realizing further variations of the control unit is available to a person skilled in the art.

[0103] As mentioned above, an essential aspect of the ophthalmic device 1 is that it comprises means for adjusting the diameter of the pupil of the patient's eye.

[0104] According to the invention, the adjustment device comprises a measuring device 3 suitable for measuring the pupil diameter of at least one eye 100 of the patient while the patient is observing the interior of the chamber 20 .

[0105] Preferably, the measuring device 3 comprises:

[0106] - infrared lighting device L2, suitable for emitting infrared light radiation in the interior space of at least one chamber 20; and

[0107] - acquisition means 31 , suitable for acquiring an image of at least one eye of a patient and arranged along at least one optical path O of the ophthalmic device 1 ; and

[0108] - Processing means 32 suitable for receiving and processing the above-mentioned images I provided by the acquisition means 31 and providing measurement data D1 of the pupil diameter of at least one eye of the patient.

[0109] Preferably, the infrared lighting device includes at least one infrared light source L2 disposed in the at least one chamber 20 .

[0110] Preferably, when the ophthalmic apparatus 1 is of a monocular type and comprises a single chamber 20 , the infrared illumination device comprises a single infrared light source L2 disposed in the above-mentioned chamber.

[0111] Preferably, when the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 is of a binocular type and includes chambers 20 different from each other, the infrared illumination device includes an infrared light source L2 disposed in each chamber.

[0112] Preferably, when the ophthalmic device 1 is of binocular type and comprises a single chamber 20, the infrared illumination means comprises one or more infrared light sources L2 arranged in the above chamber along each optical path O of the ophthalmic device.

[0113] Preferably, each infrared source L2 comprises an LED device suitable for emitting infrared light and an associated electronic driving circuit, suitable for driving the LED device in response to receiving an appropriate control signal.

[0114] Preferably, the acquisition device comprises at least one acquisition unit 31 , which is disposed in the at least one chamber 20 .

[0115] Preferably, when the ophthalmic device 1 is of a monocular type and comprises a single chamber 20 , the acquisition device comprises a single acquisition unit 31 arranged along the optical path O in the chamber.

[0116] Preferably, when the ophthalmic device 1 is of binocular type and comprises chambers 20 different from each other, the above-mentioned acquisition device comprises an acquisition unit 31 arranged in each chamber along the corresponding optical path O.

[0117] Preferably, when the ophthalmic device 1 is of binocular type and comprises a single chamber 20, the acquisition device comprises a plurality of acquisition units 31 arranged in the chamber, each acquisition unit 31 being along a corresponding optical path O of the ophthalmic device.

[0118] Preferably, each acquisition unit 31 comprises a CCD or C-MOS sensor panel, coupled to an optical assembly for receiving optical radiation, if necessary, and a corresponding electronic interface circuit suitable for encoding and transmitting the image I acquired by the sensor panel.

[0119] Preferably, the processing means 32 are included in the control unit of the ophthalmic device. In this case, they can best be formed by the processing components of the above-mentioned control unit, preferably of digital type.

[0120] Alternatively, the processing means 32 may be formed by an autonomous processing unit, preferably of digital type.

[0121] In operation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 , in order to provide measurement data D1 , the measuring device 3 operates as follows.

[0122] Infrared illumination device L2 emits infrared light in such a way as to illuminate at least one eye 100 of the patient. Acquisition device 31 acquires images I of at least one eye of the patient and provides these images (suitably encoded) to processing device 32. Processing device 32 processes images I received from acquisition device 32 and provides measurement data D1.

[0123] For processing the image I relating to at least one eye of the patient, the processing means 32 may use suitable image processing algorithms of known type.

[0124] In general, the measuring means 3, in particular the infrared illumination means L2, the acquisition means 31 and the processing means 32 may be of known type and, for obvious reasons of brevity, only the aspects that are essential to the invention will be described in more detail below.

[0125] According to the invention, the pupil diameter adjustment device comprises a visible light illumination device L1 adapted to emit visible light radiation in the interior space of at least one chamber 20 to increase the brightness (in relation to visible light) of the at least one chamber 20 .

[0126] The visible light illumination device includes at least one visible light source L1 disposed in at least one chamber 20 .

[0127] Preferably, when the ophthalmic apparatus 1 is of a monocular type and includes a single chamber 20 , the visible light illumination device includes a single visible light source L1 disposed in the above-mentioned chamber.

[0128] Preferably, when the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 is of a binocular type and includes chambers 20 different from each other, the visible light illumination device includes a visible light source L1 disposed in each chamber.

[0129] Preferably, when the ophthalmic apparatus 1 is of binocular type and comprises a single chamber 20 , the visible light illumination device comprises one or more visible light sources L1 disposed in the above-mentioned chamber.

[0130] Preferably, each visible light source comprises an LED device for emitting visible light and an associated electronic driving circuit, adapted to drive the LED device in response to receiving a suitable control signal.

[0131] In general, the above-mentioned visible light illumination device L1 may be of a known type, and for obvious reasons of brevity, only the aspects that are important to the present invention will be described in more detail below.

[0132] According to the present invention, the adjustment device of the pupil diameter comprises a control device 5 operatively associated with the measuring device 3 and the visible light illumination device L1. The control device 5 is adapted to receive and process the measurement data D1 of the pupil diameter of at least one eye 100 of the patient received from the measuring device 3, and is adapted to control the operation of the visible light illumination device L1 according to the measurement data D1. Preferably, the control device 5 is adapted to provide a first control signal C1 to control the operation of the visible light illumination device L1.

[0133] Preferably, the control device 5 is adapted to provide a second control signal C2 to control the operation of the measuring device 3 , in particular the infrared lighting device L2 , the acquisition device 31 and the processing device 32 .

[0134] Preferably, the control means 5 are included in the control unit of the ophthalmic device. In this case, they can best be formed by processing means of the control unit, preferably of digital type.

[0135] Alternatively, the control means 5 may be formed by an autonomous processing unit, preferably of digital type.

[0136] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control device 5 is configured to perform a suitable adjustment process 50A, 50B for the pupil diameter of at least one eye 100 of the patient.

[0137] Generally speaking, during the execution of the above adjustment processes 50A and 50B, the control device 5 controls the operation of the visible light lighting device (activation or deactivation of the light source L1 ) by sending a suitable control signal C1 to the above lighting device.

[0138] In order to acquire the measurement data D1, the control device 5 provides appropriate control signals C2 to control the operation of the measuring device 3, in particular the operation of the infrared lighting device L2, the acquisition device 31 and the processing device 32.

[0139] Preferably, the control device 5 is configured to first perform a first adjustment process 50A of the pupil diameter, and then perform a second adjustment process 50B of the pupil diameter.

[0140] However, in principle, the adjustment processes 50A, 50B (in particular the adjustment process 50A) may be performed separately from each other (even if not simultaneously for reasons that will become apparent after their details are explained).

[0141] For the sake of simplicity, the pupil diameter adjustment processes 50A, 50B are described here with reference to their implementation in an ophthalmic device 1 of monocular type.

[0142] Those skilled in the art can easily understand that the pupil diameter adjustment processes 50A and 50B described below can be easily adapted to be performed in a binocular type ophthalmic apparatus 1 .

[0143] The first adjustment process of pupil diameter

[0144] Typically, the first adjustment process 50A of the pupil diameter is intended to obtain pupil dilation of the patient's eye 100 , that is, to bring the pupil of the eye 100 into a mydriatic state.

[0145] Therefore, the control device 5 is configured to perform a first regulation process 50A in order to maintain the deactivation (ie switched off) of the visible light source L1 and thus to maintain the chamber 20 at the lowest possible brightness value (with respect to visible light).

[0146] refer to Figure 5, the regulation process 50A comprises an initial step a.1) of deactivating or keeping deactivated the visible light source L1.

[0147] The adjustment process 50A comprises a step a.2 of obtaining measurement data D1 of the pupil diameter of the patient's eye. In this way, the control device 5 can obtain a first measurement value M of the pupil diameter. D1 .

[0148] The adjustment process 50A comprises a step a.3 of waiting in a standby state for a predefined time interval (for example a few seconds). This step of the adjustment process 50A aims at waiting for the pupil to dilate in order to keep the patient's eyes in darkness (or more precisely, in conditions of minimum ambient brightness).

[0149] The adjustment process 50A includes obtaining a second measurement value M of the pupil diameter. D2 Step a.4) of obtaining the measurement data D1 again in this way.

[0150] The adjustment process 50A comprises converting the first measurement value M of the pupil diameter obtained in step a.2) into D1 and the second measured value M of the pupil diameter obtained in step a.4) D2 Step a.5) of the comparison.

[0151] The increase in pupil diameter means that the patient's eye 100 responds to the darkness that has been maintained for the above-mentioned predefined time interval by dilating the pupil.

[0152] Therefore, if the value of pupil diameter increases (i.e., M D2 >M D1 ), the adjustment process 50A comprises converting the second measurement value M of the pupil diameter obtained in step a.4) into D2 The first target value T of pupil diameter D1 Step a.6) of the comparison.

[0153] The first target value T of pupil diameter D1 It may be a predefined value, eg stored by the control unit. It may be a constant value or a value selectable via a user interface of the ophthalmic device 1 .

[0154] If the second measured value of pupil diameter M D2 The first target value T of pupil diameter is not exceeded D1 (i.e., M D2 <=T D1 ), then repeat the adjustment process 50A (step a.7).

[0155] The first target value T of pupil diameter D1has not yet been reached, and therefore sufficient dilation has not yet been achieved for the pupil of the eye 100. If possible, the accommodation process 50A is repeated with the aim of obtaining further dilation of the pupil.

[0156] If the second measured value of pupil diameter M D2 Exceeding the first target value T of pupil diameter D1 (i.e., M D2 >T D1 ), the adjustment process 50A terminates (step a.8).

[0157] The first target value T of pupil diameter has been reached D1 And thus sufficient dilation of the pupil of the eye 100 has been obtained. The adjustment process 50A can be terminated. At this point, a second adjustment process 50B of the pupil diameter can be performed (with the visible light source L1 activated), or a possible inspection process of the eye 100 of the patient 100 by the eye inspection device 200 can be performed.

[0158] If step a.5) shows that the value of pupil diameter has not increased, this means that the eye has not responded to the basic condition of maintaining darkness by pupil dilation during the above-mentioned predefined time interval. D2 <=M D1 ), the adjustment process 50A comprises comparing the second measurement value M of the pupil diameter obtained in step a.4). D2 and the first target value TD1 of the pupil diameter in step a.9).

[0159] If the second measured value of pupil diameter M D2 The first target value T of pupil diameter is not exceeded D1 (i.e. M D2 <=T D1 ), then the adjustment process 50A terminates (step a.10). This situation basically indicates an error situation, in which the adjustment process 50A is basically ineffective in obtaining sufficient dilation of the pupil diameter.

[0160] If the second measured value of pupil diameter M D2 Exceeding the first target value T of pupil diameter D1 (i.e., M D2 >T D1 ), the adjustment process 50A is terminated (step a.11). Even if the pupil of the eye 100 cannot be further dilated, the first target value TD1 of the pupil diameter has been reached, so the pupil is sufficiently dilated. The adjustment process 50A can be terminated. At this time, the second adjustment process 50B of the pupil diameter can be performed (when the visible light source L1 is activated), or a possible inspection process of the eye 100 of the patient 100 can be performed by the eye inspection device 200.

[0161] Second adjustment process of pupil diameter

[0162] Typically, the second adjustment process 50B of the pupil diameter is intended to continuously adjust the pupil diameter, particularly when sufficient dilation of the pupil of the patient's eye 100 has been obtained (eg, performing the adjustment process 50A described above).

[0163] The control device 5 is configured to execute a second adjustment process 50B, maintaining the visible light source L1 activated and instructing it to emit visible light with different light intensity values. During the execution of the second adjustment process 50B, the chamber 20 will therefore have a brightness value (in terms of visible light) higher than the minimum obtainable value.

[0164] Reference Figure 6 The adjustment process 50B includes an initial step b.1) of starting or keeping the visible light source L1 started and instructing the visible light source L1 to emit visible light with a light intensity reference value IREF.

[0165] The adjustment process 50B comprises a step b.2) of acquiring measurement data D1 of the pupil diameter of the patient's eye.

[0166] In this way, the control device 5 can obtain a third measured value M of the pupil diameter: D3 Typically, this measurement is different from the other measurements obtained during the regulation process 50A and 50B. The regulation process 50B comprises a step b.3) of waiting in a standby state for a second predefined time interval (for example a few seconds).

[0167] This step of the adjustment process 50B aims at waiting for the pupil to contract in order to keep the patient's eye 100 exposed to visible light having the light intensity reference value IR.

[0168] The adjustment process 50B comprises a step b.4) of again acquiring measurement data D1 of the pupil diameter of the patient's eye.

[0169] In this way, the control device 5 can obtain a fourth measurement value M of the pupil diameter: D4 Typically, this measurement is different from other measurements obtained during adjustment processes 50A and 50B.

[0170] The adjustment process 50B comprises adjusting the third measurement value M of the pupil diameter obtained in step b.2) D3 and the fourth measured value M of the pupil diameter obtained in step b.4) D4 Step b.5) of the comparison.

[0171] The reduction in pupil diameter means that the patient's eye 100 responds to the state of visible light, and during the above-mentioned second predefined time interval, the eye 100 remains in this state by pupil constriction.

[0172] Therefore, if the pupil diameter decreases (i.e., M D4 <M D3 ), the adjustment process 50B comprises comparing the fourth measurement value M of the pupil diameter obtained in step b.4) D3 and a second target value T with pupil diameter D2 Step b.6).

[0173] The second target value T of pupil diameter D2 It may be a predefined value, eg stored by the control unit. It may be a constant value or a value selectable via a user interface of the ophthalmic device 1 .

[0174] Preferably, the second target value T D2 is lower than or equal to the first target value T used during the adjustment process 50A D1 .

[0175] If the fourth measurement of pupil diameter M D4 Exceeding the second target value T of pupil diameter D2 (i.e., M D4 >T D2 ), the adjustment process 50B (step b.7) is repeated to keep the light intensity reference value IREF of the visible light emitted by the visible light source L1 unchanged.

[0176] The second target value T of pupil diameter D2 The pupil of the eye 100 has not yet been sufficiently contracted. If possible, the adjustment process 50A is repeated to obtain further contraction of the pupil. The light intensity IREF of the visible light emitted by the visible light source L1 can remain unchanged because the patient's eye 100 responds to the visible light with this light intensity value during the second predefined time interval, and the pupil contracts.

[0177] If the fourth measurement value M of the pupil diameter D4 The second target value T is less than or equal to the pupil diameter D2 (i.e. M D4 <=T D2 ), the adjustment procedure 50B includes step b.8) instructing the visible light source L1 to emit visible light having a first new light intensity value I1 lower than the light intensity reference value IREF. The adjustment procedure 50B is repeated using the first new light intensity value I1 as the new light intensity reference value IREF.

[0178] Reach the second target value T of pupil diameter D2And thus sufficient contraction of the pupil of the patient's eye is obtained. Repeating the adjustment process 50B with a new lower light intensity reference value I1 = IREF emitted by the visible light source L1 aims to prevent further contraction of the pupil of the patient's eye and to promote a slight dilation.

[0179] If the aforementioned step b.5) shows that the pupil diameter has not decreased, this means that the eye has not responded to visible light having an intensity equal to the reference value IREF to which the eye was exposed during the aforementioned second predefined time interval of pupil constriction.

[0180] Therefore, if the pupil diameter does not decrease (i.e., M D4 >=M D3 ), the adjustment process 50B includes step b.9 of instructing the visible light source L1 to emit visible light having a second new value I2 of light intensity higher than the light intensity reference value IREF). Therefore, the adjustment process 50B is repeated using the second new light intensity value I2 as the new light intensity reference value IREF.

[0181] If the pupil diameter does not decrease, it is impossible to reach the second target value T of the pupil diameter. D2 The adjustment process 50B is repeated with a new higher reference value I2 = IREF of the light intensity of the visible light emitted by the visible light source L1, with the aim of obtaining a further contraction of the pupil of the patient's eye in such a case. The second target value T of the pupil diameter is reached. D2 become possible.

[0182] It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that further variations of the embodiments of the adjustment processes 50A and 50B are possible, all of which are within the scope of the present invention. Naturally, at each repetition of the adjustment processes 50A and 50B, the control device 5 acquires a new measurement value M of the pupil diameter. D1 、M D2 、M D3 、M D4 .

[0183] The best target value of pupil diameter is T D1 , T D2 Modifications may be made as needed, such as when adjustment processes 50A and 50B are repeated.

[0184] From the above, it can be seen how the pupil diameter adjustment device can adjust the pupil diameter of at least one eye 100 ( Figure 7 )'s pupil diameter is clearly adjustable in a substantially closed loop.

[0185] The implementation of the regulation process 50A, 50B allows the above regulation device to track the appropriate target value T which can be selected as required. D1 , T D2 The pupil diameter is adjusted in this way.

[0186] As mentioned above, according to a preferred embodiment, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 comprises an eye examination device 200 operatively associated with at least one chamber 20 .

[0187] Preferably, if it is of the monocular type and comprises a single chamber 20, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 comprises an eye examination device 200 arranged along the corresponding optical path O in the above-mentioned chamber.

[0188] Preferably, if it is of binocular type and comprises chambers 20 different from each other, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 comprises an eye examination device 200 in each chamber along the corresponding optical path O.

[0189] Preferably, if of binocular type and comprising a single chamber 20, the ophthalmic device 1 comprises eye examination means 200 placed in said chamber, each along a respective optical path O of said ophthalmic device.

[0190] The eye examination device 200 may include a device for measuring characteristic values ​​of the patient's eye (refractive power, visual field aberration, corneal curvature, intraocular pressure, etc.), a device for acquiring retinal images (color, infrared, fluorescence, etc.), or a portion of the ophthalmic device 1 including these devices. Generally, the above-mentioned eye examination device 200 may be of a known type, and for obvious indirect reasons, only the important aspects of the present invention will be further described below.

[0191] In some embodiments of the present invention (not shown), some components of the pupil diameter adjustment device (e.g., the visible light illumination device L1, the infrared illumination device L2, and the acquisition device 31) may be included in the inspection device 200 of the ophthalmic device. This makes it possible to obtain greater structural and functional integration between the pupil diameter adjustment device and the eye inspection device 200.

[0192] According to the above preferred embodiments of the present invention, the pupil diameter adjustment device can cooperate with the eye examination device 100 to perform an eye examination procedure.

[0193] They are thus able to perform the above-mentioned pupil diameter adjustment function during a measurement or examination procedure performed on at least one eye 100 of a patient by means of the eye examination device 200 .

[0194] In practice, by executing the pupil diameter adjustment processes 50A and 50B, the adjustment device can track the pupil diameter target value T D1 , T D2 The continuous closed-loop adjustment of the pupil diameter in a manner can be best defined in a manner that allows a measurement or inspection procedure to be performed on at least one eye 100 of a patient by means of the eye inspection device 200.

[0195] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in addition to the pupil diameter adjustment device and the above-mentioned eye 200 inspection device, the ophthalmic device 1 may include one or more optical elements 90 (such as beam splitters, lens assemblies, color dichroic mirrors, lenses, etc.) placed in the at least one chamber 20, for example, arranged along at least one corresponding optical path O.

[0196] Those skilled in the art can easily understand that further possible variations of the embodiment of the ophthalmic device 1 all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0197] For example, the adjustment device for the pupil diameter may comprise an alternative arrangement of the measuring device 3 (in particular the infrared illumination device L2 and the acquisition device 31 ), the visible light illumination device L1 and the control device 5 .

[0198] Reference Figure 1 The operation of the ophthalmic device 1 is described in more detail with reference to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0199] In use of the ophthalmic device 1 , the patient's face rests against the viewing interface 22 in such a way as to hold the eye 100 in a predetermined position at the viewing opening 21 .

[0200] The measuring device 3 periodically measures the pupil diameter. In each measuring cycle, the infrared illumination device L2 illuminates the eye 100 with infrared light, and the acquisition device 31 collects one or more images I (infrared light) of the eye 100 and transmits them to the processing device 32, which processes the above images and provides measurement data D1.

[0201] Based on the measurement data D1, the control device 5 controls the operation of the visible light illumination device to continuously (cyclically) adjust the pupil diameter of the eye 100 so as to track the target value of the pupil diameter. To this end, the control device 5 preferably performs adjustment processes 50A, 50B.

[0202] Simultaneously with the above-described adjustment of the pupil diameter by the pupil diameter adjustment device, the eye inspection device 200 performs an inspection procedure of the eye 100 (eg, measuring or acquiring an image of the retina).

[0203] The ophthalmic device 1 according to the invention has great advantages over the prior art.

[0204] The ophthalmic device 1 allows to perform precise continuous adjustment of pupil diameter using essentially closed loop regulation. It is therefore able to provide very high performance in controlling the pupil diameter of a patient's eye.

[0205] The ophthalmic device 1 is able to perform the above-mentioned function of adjusting the pupil diameter in a simple and direct manner, while having other functions of measuring or examining the patient's eyes. It is therefore a multifunctional system that is relatively simple to use in practice.

[0206] The ophthalmic device 1 can be relatively easily produced on an industrial scale to achieve costs that are competitive with prior art solutions.

Claims

1. An ophthalmic device (1), characterized in that include: - a housing (2) defining at least one chamber (20), the housing comprising at least one viewing opening (21) adapted to allow a patient to observe the interior space of the at least one chamber (20) along at least one corresponding optical path (O) of the ophthalmic device; - A device for adjusting the diameter of a pupil, the pupil being the pupil of at least one eye (100) of a patient, comprising: - a measuring device (3) adapted to measure the pupil diameter of at least one eye (100) of the patient when the patient observes the interior space of the at least one chamber (20); - a visible light illumination device, adapted to emit visible light radiation in the inner space of the at least one chamber (20), comprising at least one visible light source (L1) arranged in the at least one chamber; a control device (5) operatively associated with the measuring device (3) and the visible light illumination device, the control device being adapted to receive measurement data (D1) of the pupil diameter of at least one eye (100) of the patient from the measuring device (3) and to control the operation of the visible light illumination device according to the measurement data (D1); The control device (5) is adapted to perform a first adjustment process (50A) of the pupil diameter of at least one eye (100) of the patient, the first adjustment process comprising the following steps: a.1) deactivating or keeping deactivating the visible light source (L1); a.2) to obtain the first measurement of pupil diameter (M D1 ) to obtain the measurement data (D1); a.3) waiting for a predefined time interval; a.4) to obtain a second measurement of pupil diameter (M D2 ) to obtain the measurement data (D1) again; a.5) The first measured value of the pupil diameter (M D1 ) and the second measured value (M D2 ) for comparison; If the pupil diameter is enlarged: a.6) The second measured value of the pupil diameter (M D2 ) and the first target value of pupil diameter (T D1 ) for comparison; a.7) If the second measured value of the pupil diameter (M D2 ) does not exceed the first target value (T D1 ), then repeat the first adjustment process; a.8) If the second measured value of the pupil diameter (M D2 ) exceeds the first target value (T D1 ), the first adjustment process is terminated, and an inspection procedure is performed on the patient's eyes through the inspection device (200).

2. An ophthalmic device according to claim 1, characterized in that The measuring device (3) comprises: - infrared lighting means, adapted to emit infrared light radiation in the interior space of said at least one chamber (20), comprising at least one infrared light source (L2) arranged in said at least one chamber; - an acquisition device, suitable for acquiring a pupil image (I) of at least one eye of a patient, comprising at least one acquisition unit (31) arranged in the at least one chamber (20) and along at least one optical path (O); - processing means (32) adapted to receive said pupil image (I) of at least one eye (100) of a patient and to provide said measurement data (D1).

3. The ophthalmic device according to claim 1, characterized in that The housing (2) defines a single chamber (20).

4. The ophthalmic device according to claim 1, characterized in that The housing (2) defines a pair of chambers (20) that are different from each other.

5. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The measuring device (3) comprises at least one infrared light source (L2) and an acquisition unit (31) arranged in a single dark room.

6. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The measuring device (3) comprises an infrared light source (L2) and an acquisition unit (31) arranged in each dark room.

7. The ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The housing (2) comprises a single viewing opening (21).

8. The ophthalmic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The housing (2) includes a pair of observation openings (21) that are different from each other.

9. The ophthalmic device according to claim 1, characterized in that The control device (5) is adapted to perform a first adjustment process (50A) of the pupil diameter of at least one eye (100) of the patient, the first adjustment process further comprising the following steps: If the pupil diameter has not increased: a.9) The second measured value of the pupil diameter (M D2 ) and the first target value of the pupil diameter (T D1 ) for comparison; a.10) If the second measured value of the pupil diameter (M D2 ) does not exceed the first target value (T D1 ), then terminate the first adjustment process; a.11) If the second measured value of the pupil diameter (M D2 ) exceeds the first target value (T D1 ), then the first adjustment process is terminated.

10. The ophthalmic device according to claim 1, characterized in that The control device (5) is adapted to perform a second adjustment process (50B) of the pupil diameter of at least one eye (100) of the patient, the second adjustment process comprising the following steps: b.1) activating or keeping activated the visible light source (L1) by instructing the visible light source (L1) to emit visible light radiation having a light intensity reference value (IREF); b.2) obtaining the measurement data (D1) in a third measurement value manner of obtaining pupil diameter; b.3) Wait for a predefined time interval; b.4) to obtain the fourth measurement value of pupil diameter (M D4 ) to obtain the measurement data (D1) again; b.5) ​​The third measured value of the pupil diameter (M D3 ) and the fourth measured value of the pupil diameter (M D4 ) for comparison; If pupil diameter is reduced: b.6) The fourth measured value of the pupil diameter (M D4 ) and the second target value of pupil diameter (T D2 ) for comparison; b.7) If the fourth measured value of the pupil diameter (M D4 ) exceeds the second target value (T D2 ), repeat the second adjustment process and keep the light intensity reference value (IREF) unchanged; b.8) If the fourth measured value of the pupil diameter (M D4 ) is less than or equal to the second target value (T D2 ), instructing the visible light source (L1) to emit visible light radiation having a first new light intensity value (I1) lower than the above-mentioned light intensity reference value (IREF), and using the first new light intensity value (I1) as a new light intensity reference value (IREF) to repeat the second adjustment process; If pupil diameter does not decrease: b.9) instructing the visible light source (L1) to emit visible light radiation, whose second new light intensity value (I2) is higher than the light intensity reference value (IREF), and using the second new light intensity value (I2) as a new light intensity reference value (IREF) to repeat the second adjustment process.

11. The ophthalmic device according to claim 1, characterized in that An examination device (200) includes at least one eye (100) of a patient operatively associated with the at least one chamber (20), wherein the pupil diameter adjustment device is capable of cooperating with the examination device (200) to perform an examination procedure on the at least one eye (100) of the patient.

12. The ophthalmic device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that The internal brightness of the darkroom is less than 10 -4 nit(cd / m 2 ).

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