Ophthalmologic apparatus

Abstract

To provide an ophthalmologic apparatus to which a specific light irradiation system for irradiation of specific light can be easily and selectively attached.SOLUTION: A slit lamp microscope 100 as an example of an ophthalmologic apparatus includes: an illumination system 30 that irradiates a subject eye E of a subject with illumination light; a body unit 10 that has an observation system 40 for observing return light from the subject eye E; and an imaging unit 60 that is detachably attached to the body unit 10. The imaging unit 60 has: an imaging unit 61 that acquires an image of the subject eye E; and a background illumination system 80 that irradiates the subject eye E with background light different from the illumination light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to ophthalmic devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an ophthalmic apparatus including a slit lamp for irradiating slit light, a mirror unit having a reflecting mirror or prism for reflecting the slit light irradiated from the slit lamp and irradiating the slit light to the subject's eye, a microscope unit for observing the subject's eye, and a background illumination system (specific light irradiation system) for irradiating the subject's eye with background light (specific light) for irradiating the background of the slit light (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The ophthalmic apparatus is also provided with an imaging device for taking an image of the subject's eye illuminated by the specific light. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5747924 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, among users of ophthalmic devices, there are users who do not use specific light for observation or photography and do not need the specific light irradiation system. However, in conventional ophthalmic devices, the specific light irradiation system is often provided integrally with a microscope unit or a mirror unit, and an operation unit of the specific light irradiation system is often provided integrally with a stand unit of the ophthalmic device, so that it cannot be flexibly attached or detached according to the user's usage pattern.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in light of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an ophthalmic device to which a specific light irradiation system that irradiates specific light and its operation unit can be easily and selectively attached. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present disclosure includes a main body having an illumination system for irradiating an eye to be examined with illumination light and an observation system for observing return light from the eye to be examined, and an imaging unit detachably attached to the main body. The imaging unit has an imaging section for acquiring an image of the eye to be examined, and a specific light irradiation system for irradiating the eye to a specific light different from the illumination light. Effect of the Invention

[0007] In the ophthalmic device configured in this manner, it is possible to easily and selectively attach a specific light irradiation system that irradiates specific light by attaching and detaching the imaging unit to the main body, so that a user can selectively use an ophthalmic device equipped with a specific light irradiation system and an ophthalmic device not equipped with a specific light irradiation system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1A is a right side view showing the overall configuration of an ophthalmic apparatus according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a moving mechanism portion. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a wiring state and a detachable imaging unit of the ophthalmic apparatus of the first embodiment, and is a left side view generally showing the ophthalmic apparatus in a state where the imaging unit is not attached. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a wiring state and a detachable imaging unit of the ophthalmic apparatus of the first embodiment, and is a left side view generally showing the ophthalmic apparatus with the imaging unit attached. [Diagram 3] 1 is a rear view of the vicinity of the background light switching unit of the ophthalmologic apparatus of Example 1 as seen from the examiner side, and is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of the background light switching unit when switching the background light. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a front view of the background illumination system and the vicinity of the objective lens of the ophthalmic apparatus of the embodiment 1, as viewed from the subject side. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an ophthalmic apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the wiring state and the detachable imaging unit of the ophthalmic apparatus of the second embodiment, and is a left side view showing the ophthalmic apparatus in a state where the imaging unit is attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Example 1 A slit lamp microscope 100 according to Example 1, which is an embodiment of an ophthalmic device according to the present disclosure, will be described as follows with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The slit lamp microscope 100 shown in Figure 1 is an ophthalmic device that obtains an image of a cross section of the cornea by cutting out an optical slice of the cornea of ​​a subject's eye E using slit-shaped illumination light (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "slit light"), and is also called a "slit lamp microscope."

[0010] 1, the slit lamp microscope 100 of Example 1 mainly includes a main body 10, a power supply unit 20, and an imaging unit 60. The main body 10 mainly includes an illumination system 30, an observation system 40, and a control device 50. The imaging unit 60 mainly includes an imaging section 61, and a background illumination system 80, which is an example of a specific light irradiation system.

[0011] The slit lamp microscope 100 of Example 1 is a so-called Zeiss type (Littman type) slit lamp microscope, and is configured such that the illumination system 30 is arranged below the observation system 40, making it a more compact device than the slit lamp microscope 100A of Example 2 described below.

[0012] The main body 10 is installed on the optical bench 1. As described above, the main body 10 includes the illumination system 30, the observation system 40, and the control device 50. The main body 10 further includes a base 11 fixed to the upper surface of the optical bench 1, a stand 12 provided on the upper surface of the base 11, a moving mechanism 13 for moving the stand 12 in the left-right direction, a support 14 provided on the upper surface of the stand 12, a face support 15 supported by the base 11, and a pair of grips 16 provided on both sides of the base 11 in the left-right direction.

[0013] The stand unit 12 includes a stand 12a, a dimming knob (dimming operation unit) 12b, an operation lever (movement operation unit) 12c, and a shooting button 12d provided on the upper surface of the operation lever 12c. The stand unit 12 can be moved by a movement mechanism 13 in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction as viewed from the subject's eye with respect to the base unit 11. The movement mechanism 13 includes a slide bar 13a inserted into the stand 12a, and a pair of fixing parts 13b that support both ends of the slide bar 13a so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. In this specification, the front direction of the front-rear direction is a direction approaching the subject, and the rear direction is a direction away from the subject and toward the examiner. The left direction of the left-right direction is a direction toward the subject's left hand, and the right direction is a direction toward the subject's right hand.

[0014] The operation lever 12c is a member for giving an instruction to move the stand unit 12. The photographing button 12d is a member for giving an instruction to photograph the image capturing unit 61. The operation lever 12c and the photographing button 12d are electrically connected to the control device 50. The examiner, who is a user of the slit lamp microscope 100, can move the entire stand unit 12 in the front-rear and left-right directions by the action of the moving mechanism 13 by moving the operation lever 12c while holding it. In addition, when the examiner tilts the operation lever 12c, the control device 50 controls the observation system 40 according to the amount and direction of the operation, and causes focusing. When the examiner rotates the operation lever 12c around an axis, the support unit 14 provided on the upper surface of the base 11 moves up and down by a lifting mechanism (not shown) according to the amount and direction of the operation. When the examiner presses down the photographing button 12d, the control device 50 controls the image capturing unit 61 to capture an image of the subject's eye E.

[0015] The light control knob 12b is a member that allows the examiner to turn on and off the slit light of the illumination system 30 and adjust the brightness (amount of light). When the examiner rotates the light control knob 12b, the illumination system 30 is turned on or off under the control of the control device 50, and when the illumination system 30 is turned on, the brightness of the illumination light of the illumination system 30 is continuously and freely changed according to the amount and direction of operation from the off position.

[0016] The support unit 14 includes a base 14a, a first support arm 14b, and a second support arm 14c. The base 14a is provided on the upper surface of the stand 12a. The first support arm 14b and the second support arm 14c stand upright from the base 14a. The first support arm 14b and the second support arm 14c are each independently rotatable about a coaxial vertical shaft 14d.

[0017] The support unit 14 also includes a test rod 14e that is detachably attached to a rotation shaft hole (not shown) provided in the vertical shaft 14d. The test rod 14e is a member for checking the state of the slit light irradiated from the illumination system 30, and is removed when the slit light is irradiated onto the subject's eye E for observation.

[0018] An illumination system housing 31 that houses the optical members of the illumination system 30 is attached to the upper portion of the first support arm 14b, and supports the illumination system 30. The first support arm 14b is manually rotated. When the first support arm 14b rotates, the illumination system housing 31 revolves around the subject's eye. This changes the irradiation direction of the slit light with respect to the subject's eye. The first support arm 14b may also rotate in the vertical direction, in which case the elevation angle or depression angle of the slit light with respect to the subject's eye is changed.

[0019] The second support arm 14c is composed of a cylindrical body that is L-shaped when viewed from the side, and is provided with an accommodation space 14f (see Figs. 2A and 2B) in which various wirings are accommodated. The observation system housing 41 that accommodates the optical members of the observation system 40 is attached to the upper part of the second support arm 14c, and supports the observation system 40. The imaging unit 60 is detachably attached to the second support arm 14c below the observation system 40, and supports the imaging unit 60. The second support arm 14c is manually rotated. By rotating the second support arm 14c, the observation system 40 and the imaging unit 60 rotate around the first support arm 14b. As a result, the observation direction of the observation system 40 and the imaging unit 60 with respect to the subject's eye E is changed.

[0020] The second support arm 14c accommodates a relay board 14g below the accommodation space 14f. The relay board 14g is electrically connected to the control device 50 accommodated in the stand 12a by a first power cable w1 accommodated in the accommodation space 14f and the stand 12a. In addition, a second power cable w2 extending from an imaging section 61 of the imaging unit 60, which will be described later, and a third power cable w3 extending from a background illumination system 80 can be detachably connected to the relay board 14g. These power cables w2 and w3 can also be accommodated in the accommodation space 14f.

[0021] The second support arm 14c is provided with a mounting portion 14h for mounting the background illumination system 80 on the side facing the subject and below the objective lens 43 of the observation system 40. This mounting portion 14h has a hole (not shown) into which one end of the background illumination system 80 is inserted, and is covered with a lid (not shown) when the background illumination system 80 is not used. Alternatively, the mounting portion 14h may be configured to be composed of an input / output terminal, and the background illumination system 80 may be connected to this input / output terminal.

[0022] The first support arm 14b and the second support arm 14c may be configured to rotate automatically by electricity. In this case, the support unit 14 includes an actuator that generates a driving force to rotate the first support arm 14b and the second support arm 14c, and a transmission mechanism that transmits this driving force. For example, a stepping motor (pulse motor) is used as the actuator. For example, a combination of gears or a rack and pinion is used as the transmission mechanism.

[0023] The face support part 15 is disposed in front of the observation system 40 so as to face the observation system 40. The face support part 15 includes a chin rest part 15a on which the subject's chin is placed, and a forehead rest part 15b on which the forehead is placed. In the first embodiment, the examiner operates the slit lamp microscope 100 to observe the subject's eye, etc., in a state in which the subject faces the optical table 1 and places his / her face in contact with the chin rest part 15a and the forehead rest part 15b.

[0024] The face support unit 15 is also provided with a detachable fixation unit 17 used for external fixation. The fixation unit 17 includes a fixation lamp holder 17a made of a flexible arm, and an external fixation lamp 17b (e.g., an LED light source) that is provided at the tip of the fixation lamp holder 17a and emits fixation light. The fixation unit 17 can arbitrarily adjust the position of the external fixation lamp 17b and the emission direction of the fixation light by the fixation lamp holder 17a. The fixation unit 17 can guide the line of sight of the subject's eye E by the external fixation lamp 17b and adjust the direction of the subject's eye E.

[0025] The pair of gripping parts 16 are members that the subject holds with both hands when undergoing an examination. By gripping these gripping parts 16, the subject can fix his / her body and maintain a stable posture to undergo an appropriate examination.

[0026] The power supply unit 20 is a device that supplies power to the slit lamp microscope 100. The power supply unit 20 is connected to the control device 50 by a fifth power cable w5. The power supply unit 20 mainly includes a switch box 21, an AC / DC converter 22, and an insertion plug 23. The switch box 21 includes a switch board 24, a power switch 25, and a confirmation indicator light 26. The switch board 24 is a control device that controls the switching of the power of the slit lamp microscope 100 between ON and OFF according to the operation state of the power switch 25. The power switch 25 is a member for indicating the power ON or OFF. The confirmation indicator light 26 is a so-called pilot lamp, and is made of, for example, an LED light source. The confirmation indicator light 26 is for notifying the user of the power supply state of the slit lamp microscope 100. The confirmation indicator light 26 is lit when the slit lamp microscope 100 is in a power supply state, i.e., in a start-up state (power ON), and is turned off when the slit lamp microscope 100 is in a non-power supply state, i.e., in a stopped state (power OFF).

[0027] The AC / DC converter 22 converts AC voltage into DC voltage. The attachment plug 23 is inserted into a socket (not shown). When the examiner turns on the power switch 25, the power supply unit 20 supplies power via the AC / DC converter 22 to the control device 50, and to the illumination system 30, observation system 40, and imaging unit 60 connected to the control device 50.

[0028] The illumination system 30 irradiates slit light toward the subject's eye E. The illumination system 30 mainly includes a slit lamp (e.g., an LED light source) 32 housed in an illumination system housing 31, and a deflection optical system 33. The illumination system 30 may also include an exciter filter 35, a diffuser plate 36 (see FIG. 2B) and the like selectively arranged on the optical path. The exciter filter 35 enables fluorescent observation of the cornea of ​​the subject's eye E in combination with a barrier filter described later. The diffuser plate 36 diffuses the illumination light irradiated from the slit lamp 32, thereby enabling observation of a wider range of the subject's eye E.

[0029] The slit lamp 32 irradiates slit light toward the deflection optical system 33. The deflection optical system 33 is provided above the slit lamp 32. The deflection optical system 33 includes a deflection optical element 34. In the first embodiment, the deflection optical element 34 is configured with a prism. The deflection optical element 34 deflects the slit light irradiated from the slit lamp 32 toward the subject's eye E. This causes the slit light to be irradiated onto the subject's eye E. The deflection optical element 34 is not limited to a prism, but may be configured with a mirror (reflecting mirror) or the like, and may deflect the slit light by reflecting it toward the subject's eye E. The slit lamp 32 and the deflection optical system 33 are not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and their shapes, structures, and arrangements are not particularly limited as long as they are used in a Zeiss-type slit lamp microscope.

[0030] The slit lamp 32 is electrically connected to the control device 50 by the first support arm 14b and a fourth power cable w4 housed within the support part 14. With this configuration, the slit lamp 32 is supplied with power from the power supply part 20 via the control device 50 and is controlled by the control device 50.

[0031] The brightness of the slit light is changed by operating the light control knob 12b provided on the stand 12a as described above. The width of the slit light is changed by the examiner operating the slit opening / closing knob (slit opening / closing operation unit) 37 provided on the illumination system 30. The slit light is light in which the irradiation area is formed into a strip-like shape by blocking a part of the irradiation area, and is illumination light for observing the cornea and fundus of the examinee's eye.

[0032] The observation system 40 is used to observe the return light (also called "reflected light") from the subject's eye, and is a so-called microscope. Here, the "return light" includes not only the slit light and background light reflected by the subject's eye, but also various kinds of light such as scattered light from the subject's eye and its periphery. In the first embodiment, all of these various kinds of light are called "return light". As described above, the observation system 40 is attached to the upper part of the second support arm 14c, and the observation optical system 42 that guides the return light from the subject's eye E is housed in the observation system housing 41. The observation system housing 41 in the first embodiment is composed of a first observation system housing 41a arranged on the subject side (front side) of the second support arm 14c, and a second observation system housing 41b arranged on the examiner side (rear side) of the second support arm 14c.

[0033] The observation optical system 42 includes one objective lens 43, a pair of left and right relay optical systems 44, and a pair of left and right eyepieces 45. The objective lens 43 is a lens that faces the subject's eye E. The pair of left and right eyepieces 45 each include an eyepiece 45a that faces the examiner's left and right eyes e of the examiner. The pair of left and right relay optical systems 44 each include optical members such as a variable magnification optical system, an aperture, and a prism unit (not shown). The objective lens 43 and a part of the relay optical system 44 (e.g., the variable magnification optical system and the aperture) are housed in the first observation system housing 41a, and the rest of the relay optical system 44 (e.g., the prism unit) and the eyepieces 45 are housed in the second observation system housing 41b. The relay optical system 44 may be configured to be entirely housed in the first observation system housing 41a or the second observation system housing 41b.

[0034] The examiner can observe the subject's eye E with the naked eye by looking into the pair of eyepieces 45 with both eyes. In addition, observation magnification adjustment handles (observation magnification adjustment operation unit) 46 for changing the observation magnification are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the observation system housing 41.

[0035] As described above, the imaging unit 60 mainly includes the imaging section 61 and the background illumination system 80, and is detachably attached to the second support arm 14c of the main body 10. The imaging section 61 is attached to the side (rear side) of the second support arm 14c facing the examiner. The background illumination system 80 is attached to a mounting section 14h provided below the objective lens 43 of the observation system 40 on the side (front) of the second support arm 14c facing the examinee.

[0036] The imaging unit 61 receives return light from the subject's eye E and captures an image of the subject's eye E. As shown in FIG. 2B, the imaging unit 61 mainly includes an imaging unit housing 62, an imaging unit deflection optical member 63, an imaging optical system 64, an imaging element 65, an LED board 66 which is a control board, and a background light switching unit 67 which is an operation unit. The imaging unit housing 62 is attached to the second support arm 14c so as to be sandwiched between the second observation system housing 41b and the second support arm 14c. The imaging unit deflection optical member 63, the imaging optical system 64, the imaging element 65, and the LED board 66 are contained in the imaging unit housing 62.

[0037] With the imaging unit 61 attached to the second support arm 14c, the imaging unit deflection optical member 63 is disposed in the optical path of the observation system 40, more specifically, in the optical path of one of the pair of relay optical systems 44, and deflects a part of the return light from the subject's eye E out of the optical path of the observation system 40. In the first embodiment, the imaging unit deflection optical member 63 is constituted by a beam splitter, and deflects the return light toward the imaging element 65 by reflecting a part of the return light, and transmits the remaining return light. The imaging optical system 64 is constituted by optical elements such as an imaging lens, and collects the return light deflected by the imaging unit deflection optical member 63 and forms an image on the imaging element 65.

[0038] The imaging element 65 is a photoelectric conversion element that detects the return light collected by the imaging optical system 64, converts it into an electrical signal (image signal), and outputs it. The imaging element 65 may be, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor.

[0039] In the first embodiment, the imaging element 65 is connected to a personal computer (PC) 2 (see FIG. 2B), which is an external device, by a communication cable u1, and is capable of outputting an image signal to the PC 2. Therefore, an image captured by the imaging unit 61 can be stored in the PC 2. The image signal may be input to the control device 50, and the image may be stored in a storage device of the control device 50.

[0040] The communication cable u1 is, for example, a USB cable, and is housed in the imaging unit housing 62, the housing space 14f of the second support arm 14c, and the stand 12a. One end of the communication cable u1 is connected to the imaging element 65, and the other end extends from the stand 12a to the outside and is connected to the PC 2, or is connected to the PC 2 via an input / output terminal or a USB cable (not shown) provided on the main body 10.

[0041] The LED board 66 is a circuit board equipped with an LED light source. The LED board 66 is connected to the relay board 14g by the second power cable w2. As described above, the relay board 14g is connected to the control device 50 by the first power cable w1, and the control device 50 is connected to the power supply unit 20 by the fifth power cable w5. With this configuration, the LED board 66 is supplied with power from the power supply unit 20 via the relay board 14g and the control device 50, and is controlled by the control device 50.

[0042] The LED board 66 is connected to the imaging element 65 via the first circuit cable C1, supplies power to the imaging element 65, and controls the imaging element 65 under the control of the control device 50. That is, when the photographing button 12d is pressed, the control device 50 controls the LED board 66 via the relay board 14g, and the LED board 66 controls the imaging element 65 to photograph an image of the subject's eye E.

[0043] The LED board 66 is also connected to the background light switching unit 67 by a second circuit cable C2. The LED board 66 is further connected to the background illumination system 80 via the second power cable w2, the relay board 14g, and the third power cable w3 housed in the housing space 14f. With this configuration, an electrical signal based on the examiner's rotation operation of the background light switching unit 67 is output to the control device 50 via the LED board 66 and the relay board 14g. The control device 50 controls the background illumination system 80 in accordance with this electrical signal, and causes it to turn on and off the background light, switch the background light, and adjust the brightness (amount of light).

[0044] The LED light source of the LED board 66 functions as a light emitting unit 70 that informs the examiner of the power-on state (power ON or OFF) of the imaging unit 61 and the color of the background light irradiated from the background illumination system 80. The light emitting unit 70 is turned off when the imaging unit 61 is in a non-powered state, i.e., in a stopped state (power OFF), and is turned on, for example, in green when the imaging unit 61 is in a powered state, i.e., in an activated state (power ON). The light emitting unit 70 is turned on, for example, in blue when visible light is irradiated from the background illumination system 80, and is turned on, for example, in red when infrared light is irradiated. The color of the light irradiated from the light emitting unit 70 is not limited to these colors, and may be other colors as long as the power-on state of the imaging unit 61 and the color of the background light can be identified. The light emitting unit 70 may also indicate the state of the imaging unit 61 and the background light by changing the light emitting mode, such as blinking the light. The examiner can check the lighting state and color of the light emitting unit 70 through a display window 71 (see FIG. 3) provided in the upper center of the background light switching unit 67 on the examiner's side of the imaging unit housing 62.

[0045] The background light switching unit 67 is a member for the examiner to turn on or off the background illumination system 80, switch the background light, and adjust the brightness (amount of light). As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the background light switching unit 67 is provided on one surface of the imaging unit housing 62, below the side (rear side) facing the examiner. The background light switching unit 67 is provided with a marker 67a for indicating a rotation position on the surface. In addition, the above-mentioned display window 71 is provided on one surface of the imaging unit housing 62 at the 12 o'clock position above the background light switching unit 67. This display window 71 is also the off position of the background illumination system 80. A predetermined range in the clockwise direction based on this display window 71 is the range in which visible light is irradiated from the background light source 82 and the brightness is adjustable, and the letters "BG" are displayed at the position where the brightness of the visible light is maximum (maximum visible light position 72). Furthermore, with the display window 71 as a reference, a predetermined range in the counterclockwise direction is the range in which infrared light is irradiated from the background light source 82 and the brightness is adjustable, and the letters "IR" are displayed at the position where the brightness of the infrared light is at its maximum (infrared light maximum position 73).

[0046] As shown in the top view of Fig. 3, when the marker 67a is in the off position, the LED board 66 turns off the background light source 82. As shown in the right view of Fig. 3, when the examiner rotates the background light switching unit 67 clockwise, the LED board 66 receives this operation and causes the background light source 82 to emit visible light. At this time, the LED board 66 increases the brightness of the visible light according to the amount of operation (amount of rotation) of the background light switching unit 67 from the off position, and controls the lighting of the background light source 82 so that the brightness of the visible light is maximized when the marker 67a reaches the "BG" position.

[0047] Similarly, when the examiner rotates the background light switching unit 67 counterclockwise, the LED board 66 receives this operation and causes the background light source 82 to irradiate infrared light. At this time, the LED board 66 increases the brightness of the infrared light according to the amount of operation (amount of rotation) of the background light switching unit 67 from the off position, and controls the lighting of the background light source 82 so that the brightness of the infrared light is maximized when the marker 67a reaches the "IR" position.

[0048] Background illumination system 80 illuminates with background light an area surrounding the illumination area of ​​the slit light emitted from illumination system 30. The illumination area by background illumination system 80 needs to include at least this surrounding area, and may partially overlap with the illumination area by illumination system 30. Background illumination system 80 mainly includes a background illumination housing 81, a background light source 82, and optical members such as a condenser lens (not shown).

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, the background light source 82 has a visible light source 82a that emits visible light (background light: BG), and a pair of infrared light sources 82b that emit infrared light (IR) on both sides of the visible light source 82a. The visible light and infrared light emitted from the background light source 82 are turned on, switched, and the brightness is adjusted by operating the background light switching unit 67 arranged on the examiner side. The visible light is used for naked eye observation and photography, and the infrared light is used for observation and photography of the meibomian glands. The background light source 82 emits background light from an irradiation port 83 opened in the background illumination housing 81 toward the subject's eye E. The background light emitted from the background light source 82 is collected by a condenser lens and then irradiated toward the subject's eye E. Note that the background light emitted from the background light source 82 is not limited to both visible light and infrared light, and may be one that emits either one. In the first embodiment, the background light source 82 is composed of the visible light source 82a and the infrared light source 82b, but it may be configured such that one LED light source selectively irradiates visible light and infrared light.

[0050] The control device 50 controls each part of the slit lamp microscope 100. The control device 50 is composed of a motherboard (main board) having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that functions as a control unit, and storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a hard disk drive. The control device 50 is built into the stand 12a.

[0051] The control device 50 is connected to the power supply unit 20, the illumination system 30, the observation system 40, the imaging unit 61, and the background illumination system 80 via power cables w1-w5, acquires necessary information, and outputs appropriate control commands to these. A control program is stored in advance in the storage device of the control device 50. Control commands from the CPU are realized by the cooperation of this control program and hardware. The control device 50 also supplies power from the power supply unit 20 to the illumination system 30, the observation system 40, the imaging unit 61, and the background illumination system 80.

[0052] The control device 50 may be connected to a PC having an operation unit and a display unit, a tablet terminal, a dedicated controller, etc. The control device 50 may receive operation input by the examiner from an operation unit such as a PC, control the slit lamp microscope 100, output captured images, measurement results, etc., and display them on the display unit.

[0053] In the slit lamp microscope 100 of the first embodiment configured as described above, when the imaging unit 60 is not used, an installation worker installs the second observation system housing 41b, which houses a part of the relay optical system 44 and the eyepiece 45, to the second support arm 14c as shown in Fig. 2A. This allows the examiner to observe the subject's eye E with the naked eye through the objective lens 43 of the observation system 40, the relay optical system 44, and the eyepiece 45.

[0054] On the other hand, when the imaging unit 60 is used, as shown in Fig. 2B, the operator attaches the imaging section 61 to the examiner side of the second support arm 14c, and attaches the background illumination system 80 to the attachment section 14h on the subject side of the second support arm 14c. At this time, the operator connects the second power cable w2 extending from the imaging section 61 and the third power cable w3 extending from the background illumination system 80 to the relay board 14g in the second support arm 14c. As a result, the imaging section 61 and the background illumination system 80 are electrically connected to the control device 50, and their operations are controlled by the control device 50.

[0055] Then, the operator attaches the second observation system housing 41b to the examiner side of the imaging section 61. This allows the examiner to observe the subject's eye E with the naked eye through the objective lens 43, relay optical system 44, and eyepiece section 45 of the observation system 40. Also, a part of the return light from the subject's eye E is deflected by the imaging section deflection optical member 63, allowing the examiner to capture an image of the subject's eye E using the imaging section 61. The imaging unit 60 may be attached (or detached) by the manufacturer when the slit lamp microscope 100 is manufactured, by a dealer or the like when the microscope is delivered to a user, or by the user himself / herself.

[0056] As described above, the slit lamp microscope 100 of Example 1 includes a main body 10 having an illumination system 30 that irradiates illumination light onto the subject's eye E and an observation system 40 that observes return light from the subject's eye E, and an imaging unit 60 that is detachably attached to the main body 10. The imaging unit 60 includes an imaging section 61 that obtains an image of the subject's eye E, and a specific light irradiation system (background illumination system 80) that irradiates the subject's eye E with specific light (background light) different from the illumination light.

[0057] In this way, since the imaging unit 60 is detachable from the main body 10, the slit lamp microscope 100 of the first embodiment can be configured without the imaging unit 60 as shown in Fig. 2A, or with the imaging unit 60 as shown in Fig. 2B, depending on the user's request and the purpose of use. Also, by attaching and detaching the imaging unit 60, the background illumination system 80 used in combination with the imaging section 61 can be attached and detached without changing the configuration of other members such as the observation system 40. Therefore, the slit lamp microscope 100 of the first embodiment can easily and selectively attach the background illumination system 80 (specific light irradiation system) that irradiates background light (specific light).

[0058] Moreover, the main body 10 of the first embodiment includes a second support arm 14c that supports the observation system 40, and the imaging unit 60 is detachably provided on the second support arm 14c. This configuration allows the operator to more easily attach and detach the imaging unit 60.

[0059] The observation system 40 of the first embodiment is attached to the upper part of the second support arm 14c, and has an objective lens 43 facing the subject's eye E and an eyepiece lens 45a facing the examiner's eye e. The background illumination system 80 (specific light irradiation system) is disposed on the side of the second support arm 14c facing the subject, below the objective lens 43. With this configuration, the background illumination system 80 can appropriately irradiate the subject's eye E with background light from below. Therefore, the observation and photography of the subject's eye E using the background light can be more appropriately performed, and the subject is less likely to feel dazzled even if the background light is visible light.

[0060] In addition, in conventional ophthalmic devices, wiring such as a power cable for the background lighting system and a communication cable for the imaging unit is connected to a power supply unit or an external device from outside the ophthalmic device and is exposed to the outside. This makes the ophthalmic device look unattractive, and the wiring can get in the way when moving the main body back and forth or left and right.

[0061] In contrast, the slit lamp microscope 100 of the first embodiment includes a power supply unit 20 that supplies power, and the second support arm 14c has a storage space 14f that stores wiring such as the first to fourth power cables w1 to w4. The imaging unit 60 is connected to the power supply unit 20 by wiring stored in the storage space 14f. In the first embodiment, the communication cable u1 that outputs the image captured by the imaging unit 61 to the PC2, which is an external device, is also connected to the PC2 through the storage space 14f. With this configuration, the slit lamp microscope 100 of the first embodiment has wiring stored in the storage space 14f of the second support arm 14c and is not exposed to the outside. Therefore, the slit lamp microscope 100 of the first embodiment has improved wiring storage, improved appearance, and excellent operability.

[0062] Moreover, the second support arm 14c of the first embodiment has a relay board 14g in the accommodation space 14f to which the first power cable (first wiring) w1 from the imaging unit 61 and the second power cable (second wiring) w2 from the background illumination system 80 are connected. The relay board 14g is connected to the power supply unit 20 by the third power cable w3 (third wiring) accommodated in the main body 10, and further the control device 50 and the fifth power cable w5. Therefore, when attaching the imaging unit 60 to the main body 10, the worker can install the wiring by simply connecting the second power cable w2 extending from the imaging unit 61 and the third power cable w3 extending from the background illumination system 80 to the relay board 14g, thereby improving workability. Moreover, since the third wiring is accommodated in the main body 10, it is not exposed to the outside and does not affect the appearance or operability.

[0063] In the conventional ophthalmic device, the background illumination system is disposed on the side facing the examinee, and therefore the operation unit for turning on the background light, etc. is also disposed on the side facing the examinee, making it difficult for the examiner to operate the operation unit. In contrast, the imaging unit 61 in the first embodiment is disposed on the side of the second support arm 14c facing the examiner, and a background light switching unit 67 (operation unit) of the background illumination system 80 is provided on the side of the imaging unit 61 facing the examiner. Therefore, the examiner can easily operate the background light switching unit 67, and can more appropriately turn on, turn off, switch, and adjust the brightness of the background light.

[0064] Furthermore, the imaging section 61 of the first embodiment has an imaging section deflection optical member 63 that is disposed in the optical path of the observation system 40 and deflects a part of the return light out of the optical path of the observation system 40, and an imaging element 65 that receives the return light deflected by the imaging section deflection optical member 63. With this configuration, the imaging element 65 can capture an image of the subject's eye E similar to that observed by the examiner. In addition, by attaching and detaching the imaging unit 60 to and from the main body 10, the imaging section deflection optical member 63 is also attached and detached from the optical path of the observation system 40. For this reason, it is not necessary to change the configuration of the observation optical system 42 of the observation system 40, and the return light can be deflected toward the imaging element 65 by arranging the imaging section deflection optical member 63 in this optical path.

[0065] Moreover, the background illumination system 80, which is the specific light illumination system of the first embodiment, irradiates background light as the specific light, and irradiates at least one of visible light and infrared light as this background light onto the subject's eye E. With this configuration, the examiner can observe and photograph the surroundings of the area illuminated with the slit light with visible light, and can observe and photograph the meibomian glands with infrared light.

[0066] Moreover, the imaging unit 60 of the first embodiment has a light emitting section 70 on the side facing the examiner, which emits light in different modes depending on the color of the background light irradiated from the background illumination system 80. With this configuration, the examiner can easily know whether the background light irradiated from the background illumination system 80 is visible light or infrared light, and can more appropriately observe and photograph the subject's eye E.

[0067] Example 2 A slit lamp microscope 100 according to a second embodiment of the ophthalmic apparatus of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The slit lamp microscope 100A according to the second embodiment is a so-called Haag type (Goldmann type) slit lamp microscope, and has the same basic configuration as the slit lamp microscope 100 according to the first embodiment, except that the illumination system 30 is disposed above the observation system 40. For this reason, in the slit lamp microscope 100A according to the second embodiment, the same components as those in the slit lamp microscope 100 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0068] 5 and 6, the slit lamp microscope 100A of Example 2 mainly includes a main body 10 and a power supply unit 20. The main body 10 mainly includes an illumination system 30, an observation system 40, a control device 50, a base 11 fixed to the upper surface of an optical bench 1, a stand unit 12, a moving mechanism 13, a support unit 14, and a face support unit 15.

[0069] The illumination system 30 is attached to the upper part of the first support arm 14b, above the observation system 40. The observation system 40 is attached to the upper part of the second support arm 14c, which has an accommodation space 14f therein.

[0070] The imaging unit 60 mainly includes an imaging section 61 and a background illumination system 80 that selectively irradiates visible light and infrared light, and is detachably attached to the second support arm 14c of the main body 10. Although Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show a state in which the imaging unit 60 is attached to the second support arm 14c, the imaging unit 60 can also be detached and used in the second embodiment.

[0071] The imaging unit 61 is attached to the second support arm 14c on the side (rear side) facing the examiner. The background illumination system 80 is attached to a mounting portion 14h provided on the second support arm 14c on the side (front) facing the examinee and below the objective lens 43 of the observation system 40. The imaging unit housing 62 is provided with a background light switching unit 67 and a light emitting unit 70 on the examiner side.

[0072] The imaging unit 61 and the background illumination system 80 are connected to the relay board 14g by a first power cable w1 and a second power cable w2, respectively, housed in the housing space 14f. The relay board 14g is connected to the control device 50 by a third power cable w3 housed in the housing space 14f and the stand 12. The imaging element 65 is connected to the PC 2 by a communication cable u1 housed in the housing space 14f and the stand 12.

[0073] The slit lamp microscope 100A of Example 2 can achieve the same effects as the slit lamp microscope 100 of Example 1. In addition, in the slit lamp microscope 100A of Example 2, the imaging unit 60 including the imaging section 61 and the background illumination system 80 is detachably provided on the main body 10, as in Example 1, so that the background illumination system 80 (specific light illumination system) that irradiates background light (specific light) can be easily and selectively attached.

[0074] The ophthalmic device of the present disclosure has been described above based on Example 1 and Example 2. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these Examples, and design changes and additions are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention according to each claim in the scope of the claims.

[0075] Although the ophthalmic apparatus in each of the above-mentioned embodiments is a slit lamp microscope, the ophthalmic apparatus to which the present disclosure is applied is not limited to a slit lamp microscope. For example, the ophthalmic apparatus may be a surgical microscope. In addition, the present disclosure may be applied to an ophthalmic apparatus that observes and photographs a subject's eye using a specific light different from the illumination light. In this case, the specific light irradiation system is not limited to a configuration that irradiates background light, and may be a configuration that irradiates a second illumination light having a wavelength, illumination range, etc. different from the illumination light for observation.

[0076] The light-emitting unit 70 in each of the above-described embodiments is an LED light source of the LED board 66 in the imaging unit housing 62, and emits light through the display window 71 in response to background light, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the light-emitting unit 70 may be provided on the back side of the characters "BG" and "IR" attached to the maximum visible light position 72 and the maximum infrared light position 73, and may be configured to cause these characters to emit light in a predetermined color or manner in response to the operation of the background light switching unit 67. Alternatively, the light-emitting unit 70 may be provided in the marker 67a portion within the background light switching unit 67, and may be configured to cause the marker 67a to emit light in a predetermined color or manner in response to the operation of the background light switching unit 67. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10: Main body portion 14c: Second support arm (support arm) 14f: Storage space 14g: Relay board 20: Power supply section 30: Lighting system 40: Observation system 43: Objective lens 45a: Eyepiece lens 60: Imaging unit 61: Imaging unit 63: Imaging unit deflection optical member 65: Image sensor 70: Light emitting section 80: Background illumination system (specific light irradiation system) E: Subject's eye e: Examiner's eye u1: Communication cable (wiring) w1: 1st power cable (wiring) w2: Second power cable (wiring) w3: Third power cable (wiring) w4: 4th power cable (wiring)

Claims

1. An illumination system that irradiates illumination light onto the subject's eye; and a main body having an observation system for observing return light from the subject's eye; an imaging unit that is detachably attached to the main body, The imaging unit includes an imaging section for acquiring an image of the subject's eye, and a specific light irradiation system for irradiating the subject's eye with specific light different from the illumination light. An ophthalmic apparatus comprising:

2. the main body portion includes a support arm for supporting the observation system, The imaging unit is detachably attached to the support arm.

2. An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1.

3. the observation system is attached to an upper portion of the support arm, and has an objective lens facing the subject's eye and an eyepiece facing the examiner's eye, The specific light irradiation system is disposed below the objective lens on the side of the support arm facing the subject.

3. An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 2.

4. A power supply unit for supplying power is provided, The support arm has an accommodation space for accommodating wiring, The imaging unit is connected to the power supply unit by the wiring housed in the housing space.

3. An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 2.

5. the support arm has a relay board in the accommodation space to which a first wiring from the imaging unit and a second wiring from the specific light irradiation system are connected, The relay board is connected to the power supply unit by a third wiring housed in the main body unit.

5. An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 4.

6. the imaging unit is disposed on a side of the support arm facing an examiner, An operation unit of the specific light irradiation system is provided on the side of the imaging unit facing the examiner.

3. An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 2.

7. The imaging unit includes a deflection optical member disposed in an optical path of the observation system and deflecting a part of the return light out of the optical path of the observation system, and an imaging element receiving the return light deflected by the deflection optical member.

2. An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The specific light irradiation system irradiates the subject's eye with at least one of visible light and infrared light as the specific light.

2. An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 1.

9. The imaging unit has a light emitting section on a side facing an examiner, the light emitting section emitting light in different modes according to the color of the specific light irradiated from the specific light irradiating system.

9. An ophthalmic apparatus according to claim 8.

Images