A continuous optical zoom slit lamp microscope based on adaptive lens
By introducing adaptive lenses and CCD image acquisition into the slit-lamp microscope, automated continuous optical zoom and real-time image processing are achieved, solving the problem of reliance on manual observation in traditional slit-lamp microscopes and improving diagnostic efficiency and imaging quality.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SICHUAN UNIV
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a slit-lamp microscope, and more specifically, to a continuous optical zoom slit-lamp microscope based on an adaptive lens. Background Technology
[0002] The slit-lamp microscope is an essential instrument for ophthalmic examinations. It mainly consists of two parts: a Köhler illumination system and a microscope magnification system. By illuminating the tissues within the eye through a slit light source, the illuminated area presents a strong contrast with the surrounding unilluminated area. Combined with a stereomicroscope, this allows observation of minute lesions on the corneal surface. The slit-like light band can penetrate the transparent tissues of different parts of the eye, forming an "optical section," allowing even minute lesions on different transparent media within the eye to be clearly displayed to the doctor. Binocular microscopy can provide a three-dimensional perspective, increasing the accuracy of the examination. However, traditional stereo slit-lamp microscopes primarily rely on human observation and require manual recording of the findings, which has many limitations. Therefore, scientists urgently need to develop a continuous optical zoom slit-lamp microscope based on adaptive lenses to ensure continuous zooming and observation. Summary of the Invention
[0003] This invention proposes a continuous optical zoom slit-lamp microscope based on an adaptive lens. (See attached image) Figure 1 As shown, the microscopic system includes a Köhler illumination system, a microscopic magnification system, and a frame system.
[0004] This invention is applicable to achieving continuous optical zoom in slit-lamp microscopes.
[0005] This invention proposes a continuous optical zoom slit-lamp microscope that integrates a collective-view slit-lamp microscope and a digital slit-lamp microscope. Based on traditional microscopes, it is equipped with CCD image acquisition and image processing functions, enabling real-time display and recording of examinations, and allowing for comprehensive diagnosis of eye diseases. (See attached image.) Figure 2 As shown, the microscopic magnification system consists of two adaptive lenses, a microscope tube, a beam splitter (BS), an eyepiece, and a CCD camera. The adaptive lens is one of the core components of this system, mainly composed of a liquid-filled cavity and a control system. The adaptive lens can quickly and precisely adjust the focal length without mechanical movement, achieving continuous optical zoom. This slit-lamp microscope can rapidly and continuously zoom optically, switching between different magnifications in a short time, greatly improving observation efficiency. Simultaneously, by adjusting the focal plane by changing the optical power of the adaptive lens, the continuous optical zoom slit-lamp microscope can also image the fundus.
[0006] When increased magnification is needed, the control system sends a signal to the microscope objectives, causing multiple adaptive lenses to zoom simultaneously. By shortening the focal length of the objectives, the magnification is increased, thus providing a higher resolution image. This function can be achieved in real-time operation by using the control system to drive the adaptive lenses.
[0007] This microscope has two operating modes: 1. Continuous optical zoom mode: In this mode, the distance between the objective lens and the observed object remains constant. The microscopic magnification system achieves magnification changes by adjusting the focal length of the adaptive lens without moving the objective lens or sample. The focal length is controlled by driving the adaptive lens. Because the adaptive lens has a fast response and precise focusing capability, a wide range of focal length adjustments can be achieved in a short time, thereby changing the magnification. The main advantage of this mode is that it allows for rapid adjustment of magnification when observing different details within the same field of view, providing high-resolution images and offering a faster and clearer way to diagnose eye diseases.
[0008] 2. Fundus shooting mode: In this mode, the system needs to adjust the working distance to image structures at different depths of the fundus. The adaptive lens dynamically adjusts its focal length to achieve high-resolution imaging at different depths. Real-time changes in focal length are achieved through the optical power adjustment of the adaptive lens to adapt to different working distances. In this mode, the control system automatically adjusts the focal length of the adaptive lens based on the location of the fundus being imaged, ensuring accurate imaging of retinal structures at different depths. This aids in the diagnosis and monitoring of various eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Dynamic focal length adjustment allows for detailed imaging of different layers of the retina, providing more comprehensive information on disease progression.
[0009] The high flexibility and rapid response of the adaptive lens enable the microscopic magnification system to maintain high precision and efficiency in different modes. These two operating modes are suitable for different imaging needs, achieving both continuous zoom for detailed magnification and adapting to depth variations in fundus imaging, thus meeting a wider range of application scenarios. The advantage of the adaptive lens lies in its high flexibility and rapid response, allowing the proposed slit-lamp microscope to provide higher precision and efficiency when performing complex imaging tasks. Through these two operating modes, the proposed slit-lamp microscope not only achieves continuous zoom for detailed magnification but also adapts to different imaging requirements, enabling broader applications.
[0010] Preferably, the microscopic magnification system has M 1 adaptive lens, where 2≤ M ≤8.
[0011] Preferably, the adaptive lens is a liquid lens, a polymer lens, or a liquid crystal lens.
[0012] Preferably, when the adaptive lens is a liquid lens, its driving method is electrowetting, dielectric force, mechanical force, or electromagnetic force.
[0013] Preferably, the working distance of the continuous optical zoom slit lamp microscope is: N mm, where 100≤ N ≤110, the focal plane can move from the eyelashes to the retina. Attached Figure Description
[0014] Appendix Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a continuous optical zoom slit-lamp microscope based on an adaptive lens according to the present invention.
[0015] Appendix Figure 2 This is a simulation diagram of the optical path of a continuous optical zoom slit lamp microscope based on an electrowetting liquid lens according to the present invention.
[0016] Appendix Figure 3 This is a simulation diagram of the optical path of a continuous optical zoom slit lamp microscope based on an elastic film liquid lens according to the present invention.
[0017] The figure labels in the above figures are as follows: 1. CCD, 2. Slit lamp head, 3. Eyepiece, 4. Adaptive lens, 5. Objective lens support rod, 6. Headrest, 7. Slit lamp base, 8. Glass lens, 9. Adaptive lens, 10. BS.
[0018] It should be understood that the above figures are only schematic and are not drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The following detailed description of an embodiment of a continuous optical zoom microscope based on an adaptive lens proposed in this invention further illustrates the invention. It is important to note that the following embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention. Any non-essential improvements and adjustments made to this invention by those skilled in the art based on the above description still fall within the scope of protection of this invention.
[0020] In this embodiment 1, a continuous optical zoom slit-lamp microscope based on an adaptive lens is shown below. Figure 3As shown. In this embodiment, the adaptive lens is an electrowetting liquid lens used to achieve continuous optical zoom. Its driving method is electrowetting drive, and the glass lens is used to increase the optical power. The slit-lamp microscope uses Köhler illumination, characterized by a condenser lens and a focusing lens. The light source is imaged onto the focusing lens through the condenser lens, and the slit is imaged onto the inspected area through the focusing lens. The small diameter of the focusing lens reduces lens aberrations and increases the depth of field. The width of the slit can be achieved through discontinuous changes in the aperture or through a spiral stop. Filters with different coatings can also be placed in the illumination path to emit different colors of slit light according to the inspection requirements. In this embodiment, the electrowetting liquid lens has a diameter of 5.8 mm and is driven by the electrowetting effect. Applying voltage to the sidewalls and bottom of the lens changes the contact angle between the liquid surface and the sidewall, thereby changing the optical power of the lens. The slit-lamp microscope has a variable magnification of 0.4×~3.2×, an eyepiece magnification of 12.5×, and a total magnification of 5×~40×. At low magnification, it is mainly used to locate lesions, while at high magnification, it is mainly used to observe the details of lesions.
[0021] In this embodiment 2, a continuous optical zoom microscope based on an adaptive lens is shown as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the adaptive lens in this embodiment is an elastic film liquid lens used to achieve continuous optical zoom. It is driven by mechanical force, and the glass lens is used to increase optical power. The slit-lamp microscope uses Köhler illumination, characterized by a condenser lens and a focusing lens. The light source is imaged onto the focusing lens via the condenser lens, and the slit is imaged onto the inspected area via the focusing lens. The small diameter of the focusing lens reduces lens aberrations and increases the depth of field. The width of the slit can be achieved through discontinuous changes in the aperture or through continuous changes using a spiral aperture. Filters with different coatings are placed in the illumination path to emit different colors of slit light to meet different inspection needs. In this embodiment, the elastic film material used is polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and the lens aperture is 12mm. The working principle of the PDMS elastic film lens is similar to the focusing mechanism of the human eye. The deformable elastic film produces the desired surface shape under the pressure difference between the liquid cavity and the external environment. When the optical fluid is injected into the liquid chamber, a positive pressure is generated. The elastic membrane, under the pressure difference, bulges outward, forming a convex lens. Conversely, when the optical fluid is extracted from the liquid chamber, a negative pressure is generated, forming a concave lens. The pressure within the chamber is controlled by the inflow and outflow of the fluid, thereby adjusting the focal length. The magnification of the slit-lamp microscope's zoom lens is 0.4×~3.2×, the eyepiece magnification is 12.5×, and the total magnification is 5×~40×. At low magnification, it is mainly used to locate lesions, while at high magnification, it is mainly used to observe the details of lesions.
Claims
1. A continuous optical zoom slit-lamp microscope based on an adaptive lens, comprising a Köhler illumination system and a microscopic magnification system, characterized in that, The microscopic magnification system consists of an adaptive lens, a lens barrel, a BS (body frame), an eyepiece, and a CCD camera. By changing the optical power of the adaptive lens, the focal length of the objective lens is adjusted to achieve continuous optical zoom, while ensuring the continuity and speed of zooming.
2. The slit-lamp microscope based on an adaptive lens with continuous optical zoom according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microscopic magnification system has M adaptive lenses, where 2≤M≤8.
3. A continuous optical zoom slit-lamp microscope based on an adaptive lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, Adaptive lenses include liquid lenses, polymer lenses, and liquid crystal lenses.
4. A continuous optical zoom slit-lamp microscope based on an adaptive lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, When an adaptive lens uses a liquid lens, its driving methods include electrowetting, dielectric force, mechanical force, and electromagnetic force.
5. A continuous optical zoom slit-lamp microscope based on an adaptive lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The working distance is N mm, where 100 ≤ N ≤ 110, and the focal plane can move from the eyelashes to the retina.