ophthalmic microscope

Abstract

To provide an ophthalmologic microscope capable of acquiring an observation image that corresponds to an object and a purpose of the observation of an eye to be examined, and to a dominant eye of an examiner.SOLUTION: An ophthalmologic microscope includes: an observation system for observing an eye to be examined, which includes an objective lens and a pair of observation light paths; an imaging system capable of stereoscopically imaging observation light of the eye to be examined for each observation light path; and a mode switching part capable of selectively switching modes to a first mode for acquiring a first image obtained by stereoscopically imaging the observation light from both of the observation light paths by the imaging system, a second mode for acquiring only a second image obtained by imaging the observation light from one of the observation light paths by the imaging system, and a third mode for acquiring only a third image obtained by imaging the observation light from the other of the observation light paths by the imaging system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ophthalmic microscope used for observing an eye to be examined. [Background technology]

[0002] A slit lamp microscope (also called a slit lamp or slit lamp microscope) is known as an ophthalmic microscope used to observe an eye to be examined. This slit lamp microscope uses slit light to cut out an optical slice of a region of interest in the eye to observe a cross section of the region of interest and obtain an image of this cross section.

[0003] A slit lamp microscope includes an illumination system and an observation system. The illumination system irradiates the subject's eye with slit light whose width has been adjusted. The observation system guides the return light from the subject's eye, which has been irradiated with the slit light, from the objective lens through a pair of left and right observation optical paths to a pair of left and right eyepieces. This allows the examiner to observe the subject's eye through the eyepieces.

[0004] In this case, looking through the eyepiece for a long time is a burden for the examiner. For this reason, the observation system is equipped with an imaging system (camera) that branches off from the left and right observation light paths, and directs a portion of the returning light into the imaging system. As a result, the imaging system continuously captures images of the returning light, allowing the examiner to observe the subject's eye in real time through the display unit.

[0005] As a slit lamp microscope equipped with such an imaging system and a display unit, one capable of three-dimensionally observing an eye to be examined (stereoscopic viewing) is known. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a microscope that uses an imaging system to stereoscopically capture return light branched from a pair of left and right observation optical paths, and displays the pair of left and right observation images obtained by this stereoscopic imaging on a display unit so as to be stereoscopically visible. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-107552 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-222720 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] When observing a subject's eye with a slit lamp microscope, it is preferable to display a pair of left and right observation images of the subject's eye obtained by the above-mentioned stereo imaging on the display unit so that they can be viewed stereoscopically, depending on the type of disease in the observed area. On the other hand, when simply observing the anterior segment of the subject's eye, it is not necessary to perform the above-mentioned stereo imaging. Instead, it is sufficient to perform mono imaging, in which an imaging system captures only the return light branched from one of the pair of left and right observation optical paths, and display the observation image obtained by this mono imaging on the display unit. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to freely switch between obtaining observation images by stereo imaging and obtaining observation images by mono imaging, so that the examiner can easily observe the subject's eye depending on the object and purpose of the observation.

[0008] Conventionally, when mono imaging is performed with a slit lamp microscope, it is common to mono-image only the return light from the observation optical path corresponding to one of the examiner's left and right eyes, among the return light branched from each of a pair of left and right observation optical paths, and display the resulting observation image on a display unit. In this case, for example, if the return light from the observation optical path corresponding to the examiner's right eye is mono-imaged, there is no problem if the examiner's dominant eye is the right eye. However, if the dominant eye is the left eye, the examiner may feel uncomfortable due to a difference in how the image of the subject's eye observed by the examiner through the display unit and the image of the subject's eye observed through the eyepiece. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to freely switch between acquiring an observation image obtained by capturing only the return light from the observation optical path for the right eye and acquiring an observation image obtained by capturing only the return light from the observation optical path for the left eye, depending on the examiner's dominant eye.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an ophthalmic microscope that can acquire an observation image that corresponds to the object and purpose of observation of the subject's eye and the examiner's dominant eye. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An ophthalmic microscope for achieving the object of the present invention comprises an observation system for observing an eye to be examined, the observation system having an objective lens and a pair of observation light paths; an imaging system capable of stereoscopically imaging the observation light of the eye to be examined for each observation light path; and a mode switching unit selectively switchable between a first mode in which a first image is acquired by stereoscopically imaging the observation light from both of the observation light paths using the imaging system; a second mode in which only a second image is acquired by imaging the observation light from one of the observation light paths using the imaging system; and a third mode in which only a third image is acquired by imaging the observation light from the other of the observation light paths using the imaging system.

[0011] This ophthalmic microscope allows free switching to the most suitable mode from among the first to third modes depending on the object and purpose of observing the subject's eye and the dominant eye of the examiner.

[0012] In an ophthalmologic microscope according to another aspect of the present invention, the mode switching unit includes a shutter that is removably provided for each observation optical path, and a shutter switching mechanism that retracts the shutter from both observation optical paths in a first mode, retracts the shutter from one of the observation optical paths and inserts the shutter into the other observation optical path in a second mode, and inserts the shutter into one of the observation optical paths and retracts the shutter from the other observation optical path in a third mode. This allows for free switching to an optimal mode from the first to third modes depending on the object and purpose of observation of the subject's eye and the examiner's dominant eye.

[0013] In an ophthalmic microscope according to another aspect of the present invention, the imaging system stereoscopically captures observation light from both sides of the observation optical path and outputs a first image, and the mode switching unit is a trimming unit that trims the first image output from the imaging system, and the trimming unit trims the second image from the first image in the second mode, trims the third image from the first image in the third mode, and is in a standby state in the first mode. This allows for free switching to an optimal mode from the first mode to the third mode depending on the object and purpose of observing the subject's eye and the examiner's dominant eye.

[0014] In another aspect of the ophthalmic microscope of the present invention, the observation system comprises binocular eyepieces, one observation optical path is provided between one of the eyepieces and the objective lens, and the other observation optical path is provided between the other eyepiece and the objective lens, and a deflection element is provided that can deflect a portion of the observation light passing through one and the other observation optical paths out of the observation optical paths, and the imaging system is capable of imaging the observation light of one of the observation optical paths deflected by the deflection element and the observation light of the other observation optical path deflected by the deflection element.

[0015] In an ophthalmic microscope according to another aspect of the present invention, the imaging system can capture images of both observation lights deflected by deflection elements for each observation optical path using a common imaging element.

[0016] In an ophthalmic microscope according to another aspect of the present invention, a deflection element is provided in an arrangement spanning both of the observation optical paths.

[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, an ophthalmic microscope includes a variable magnification optical system provided between an objective lens and a deflection element for each observation optical path, and a diaphragm provided between the deflection element and the variable magnification optical system for each observation optical path, thereby preventing observation light entering the imaging system from one of the observation optical paths from being mixed with observation light from the other observation optical path.

[0018] An ophthalmic microscope according to another aspect of the present invention is provided with a display unit that displays a second image in a second mode, a third image in a third mode, and a first image in a stereoscopically viewable manner in a first mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The present invention can acquire an observation image that corresponds to the subject and purpose of the examination of the eye and the dominant eye of the examiner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a slit lamp microscope according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an optical layout diagram showing the layout of the optical system of the microscope as viewed from above. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an optical layout diagram showing the layout of the optical system of the microscope as viewed from the side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the imaging system in FIG. 3 as viewed from the A direction side. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a stereo imaging mode, a right viewpoint image acquisition mode, and a left viewpoint image acquisition mode of the microscope. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining shutter insertion / removal control by a switching control unit in a right viewpoint image acquisition mode and a left viewpoint image acquisition mode. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a control device of a slit lamp microscope according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining image processing (trimming) by the image processing unit 77. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] [First embodiment] 1 is a side view of a slit lamp microscope 10 according to a first embodiment. The slit lamp microscope 10 corresponds to the ophthalmic microscope of the present invention and includes a base 12, a face support unit 14, an electric drive unit 16, a movable table 18, an operating lever 20, a first support unit 22, a microscope support arm 24, a rotating shaft 26, a second support unit 28, a rotating shaft 30, an illumination system 32, a microscope 34, an operating unit 38, a display unit 39, and a control device 40.

[0022] The base 12 is placed on an optometry table (not shown). A face support unit 14 is provided on the upper surface of the base 12 at the front end of the base 12 (on the side of the subject's eye E). An electric drive unit 16 and an operation unit 38 are provided on the upper surface of the base 12, and a movable table 18 is held so as to be movable in horizontal directions (front-rear and left-right directions). The front-rear direction refers to the front direction approaching the subject and the rear direction away from the subject, and the left-right direction refers to the interpupillary direction of the subject.

[0023] The face support part 14 has a pair of support columns 14a fixed to the base 12 and extending in the vertical direction, a chin rest 14b provided in the vertical middle of the pair of support columns 14a, and a forehead rest 14c provided at the vertical upper ends of the pair of support columns 14a. When the subject places his / her chin on the chin rest 14b and his / her forehead on the forehead rest 14c, the subject's face is supported by the face support part 14. This fixes the position of the subject's eye E.

[0024] The electric drive unit 16 moves the movable table 18 in horizontal directions (front-back and left-right directions) on the base 12. An operating lever 20 is provided on the upper surface of the movable table 18 at the rear end on the rear side (examiner side). Furthermore, a first support unit 22 is provided on the upper surface of the movable table 18 so as to be movable in the up-down direction (liftable).

[0025] The electric drive unit 16 includes a plurality of motors (not shown) and a drive transmission mechanism (not shown) that converts the rotation of each motor into horizontal and vertical drive forces. The electric drive unit 16 moves the movable table 18 in the horizontal direction and moves the first support unit 22 in the vertical direction in response to the operation of the operating lever 20. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the first support unit 22 (illumination system 32 and microscope 34) relative to the subject's eye E.

[0026] The operating lever 20 is an operating member for manually moving the first support unit 22 (illumination system 32 and microscope 34) in the horizontal direction and the up-down direction. For example, by tilting the operating lever 20 forward / backward or left / right, the electric drive unit 16 moves the movable table 18 forward / backward or left / right. Furthermore, by rotating the operating lever 20 about its axis, the electric drive unit 16 moves the first support unit 22 in the up-down direction. A switch 20a used for photography, etc. is provided at the top of the operating lever 20.

[0027] A microscope support arm 24 is disposed on the first support portion 22. This microscope support arm 24 has a horizontal arm portion 24a and a vertical arm portion 24b, and is formed in a substantially L-shape.

[0028] The front end of the horizontal arm 24a is attached to the first support 22 via a rotation shaft 26 extending in the vertical direction so as to be horizontally rotatable. In addition, a second support 28 is attached to the horizontal arm 24a via a rotation shaft 30 located on an extension of the rotation shaft 26 so as to be horizontally rotatable.

[0029] The horizontal rotation of the microscope support arm 24 around the rotation axis 26 and the horizontal rotation of the second support part 28 around the rotation axis 30 may be performed manually by the examiner or electrically using an electric rotation mechanism not shown.

[0030] A microscope 34 is attached to the upper end of the vertical arm portion 24b. An illumination system 32 is provided on the second support portion 28.

[0031] The illumination system 32 irradiates slit light onto the subject's eye E. The illumination system 32 includes a slit lamp 44 and a deflecting element 48. The slit lamp 44 emits slit light toward the deflecting element 48. Note that the configuration of the slit lamp 44 is a known technique, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] The deflecting element 48 is provided above the slit lamp 44. The deflecting element 48 is, for example, a prism, and deflects the slit light emitted from the slit lamp 44 toward the subject's eye E. Note that a mirror (reflecting mirror) may be used as the deflecting element 48 instead of a prism. This allows the subject's eye E to be irradiated with the slit light.

[0033] The illumination system 32 is horizontally rotated integrally with the second support part 28 around the rotation axis 30. This makes it possible to adjust the irradiation direction of the slit light onto the eye E to be examined.

[0034] The illumination system 32 (slit lamp 44 and deflection element 48) is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1, and its shape, structure, and arrangement may be changed as appropriate.

[0035] The microscope 34 corresponds to the observation system of the present invention and is used to observe the subject's eye E illuminated by the illumination system 32. An objective lens 50 is provided at the front end of the microscope 34 (toward the subject's eye E), and a pair of left and right eyepieces 68L, 68R are provided at the rear end of the microscope 34 (toward the examiner). The symbol O in FIG. 1 denotes the optical axis of the objective lens 50.

[0036] The microscope 34 is rotated horizontally together with the microscope support arm 24 around the rotation axis 26. This makes it possible to adjust the observation direction of the subject's eye E using the microscope 34. The microscope 34 is also provided with an imaging system 56 that captures an image of the subject's eye E via the optical system of the microscope 34.

[0037] An operation unit 38 is provided on the upper surface of the base 12 at the rear end on the rear side (examiner side). This operation unit 38, which will be described in detail later, is used by the examiner to turn on and off the slit lamp 44 and to switch the operating mode of the microscope 34.

[0038] The display unit 39 is a known monitor such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that can display a pair of left and right images obtained by stereo imaging in a manner that allows for stereoscopic viewing. The display unit 39 displays an observation image of the subject's eye E captured by the imaging system 56, and if the observation image is an image obtained by stereo imaging, it is displayed in a manner that allows for stereoscopic viewing. This allows the examiner to observe the subject's eye E (including stereoscopic viewing) through the display unit 39.

[0039] The control device 40 is an arithmetic processing device such as a computer that executes various types of arithmetic processing and control processing, and is provided, for example, on the underside of the base 12. There are no particular limitations on where the control device 40 may be provided. The various components of the slit lamp microscope 10 are connected to this control device 40. The control device 40 performs overall control of the operation of the various components of the slit lamp microscope 10 based on operation instructions input to the operating lever 20 and the operation unit 38. For example, the control device 40 adjusts the positions of the illumination system 32 and microscope 34 using the electric drive unit 16, switches the operation mode of the microscope 34, controls the imaging system 56, and controls the display on the display unit 39.

[0040] Fig. 2 is an optical layout diagram showing the layout of the optical system of the microscope 34 as viewed from above. Fig. 3 is an optical layout diagram showing the layout of the optical system of the microscope 34 as viewed from the side.

[0041] 2 and 3, the microscope 34 is a binocular type capable of stereoscopically viewing the subject's eye E, and includes an objective lens 50, a pair of left and right observation optical paths 52L and 52R (also referred to as relay optical systems), a pair of left and right eyepiece systems 54L and 54R, and an imaging system 56. Note that the symbol OL in the figures denotes an observation optical axis extending from the objective lens 50 via the observation optical path 52L to the eyepiece system 54L for the left eye, and the symbol OR in the figures denotes an observation optical axis extending from the objective lens 50 via the observation optical path 52R to the eyepiece system 54R for the right eye. The observation optical axes OL and OR intersect at a predetermined convergence angle θ at the objective lens 50.

[0042] The observation optical path 52L is an optical system (optical path) that guides return light (observation light) from the subject's eye E illuminated with slit light to the eyepiece system 54L. In the observation optical path 52L, a magnification variable unit 60L, an aperture 62L, and a beam splitter 64 are arranged along the observation optical axis OL from the objective lens 50.

[0043] The observation optical path 52R is an optical system that guides the returning light to the eyepiece system 54R. In the observation optical path 52R, a magnification variable unit 60R, a diaphragm 62R, and a beam splitter 64 are arranged along the observation optical axis OR from the objective lens 50.

[0044] The magnification change units 60L and 60R are known variable magnification optical systems, and are used to change the magnification of the image observed through the microscope .

[0045] The diaphragms 62L, 62R include, for example, a field diaphragm 62a and an imaging diaphragm 62b, and are provided between the magnification units 60L, 60R and the eyepiece systems 54L, 54R (more specifically, the beam splitter 64). The type and number of the diaphragms 62L, 62R are not particularly limited. By providing the diaphragms 62L, 62R between the magnification units 60L, 60R and the beam splitter 64, it is possible to separate the return light beams that enter the imaging system 56 from the observation optical paths 52L, 52R via the beam splitter 64. In other words, the return light beams that enter the imaging system 56 from one of the observation optical paths 52L, 52R are prevented from mixing with the return light beams from the other observation optical path 52L, 52R.

[0046] The beam splitter 64 corresponds to a deflection element of the present invention and is disposed so as to straddle both of the observation optical paths 52L and 52R. The beam splitter 64 deflects a portion of the returning light for each of the observation optical paths 52L and 52R toward the imaging system 56 (outside the optical paths of the observation optical paths 52L and 52R). Note that in Fig. 3, the symbol OLa denotes a branched optical axis branched from the observation optical axis OL by the beam splitter 64, and the symbol ORa denotes a branched optical axis branched from the observation optical axis OR by the beam splitter 64.

[0047] The beam splitter 64 also emits the remainder of the returning light passing through the observation optical path 52L toward the eyepiece system 54L, and emits the remainder of the returning light passing through the observation optical path 52R toward the eyepiece system 54R. Note that the beam splitter 64 may be provided separately for each of the observation optical paths 52L and 52R.

[0048] The eyepiece system 54L is composed of a prism unit 66L and an eyepiece 68L. The eyepiece system 54R is composed of a prism unit 66R and an eyepiece 68R. This allows the examiner to observe the subject's eye E by looking through the eyepieces 68L and 68R.

[0049] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the imaging system 56 as viewed from the direction A in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 4 and the above-described Fig. 3, the imaging system 56 has an imaging lens (not shown) and a common imaging element 56a that captures the return light from each of the observation light paths 52L and 52R deflected by the beam splitter 64.

[0050] The image sensor 56a is a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type and has a rectangular light-receiving surface that is perpendicular to the branched optical axes OLa and ORa and that straddles both of them. This allows the image sensor 56a to simultaneously capture the return light from each of the observation optical paths 52L and 52R, i.e., perform stereo imaging. As described above, the return light incident on the image sensor 56a is separated by the apertures 62L and 62R provided between the magnification units 60L and 60R and the beam splitter 64. This allows for a good image to be obtained even when the return light from each of the observation optical paths 52L and 52R is simultaneously captured by the common image sensor 56a.

[0051] In this embodiment, the return light from each of the observation light paths 52L and 52R can be simultaneously captured by the common image sensor 56a, but the return light from each of the observation light paths 52L and 52R may be captured by an individual image sensor 56a.

[0052] 2 and 3, a shutter 70L is removably provided in the observation light path 52L, and a shutter 70R is removably provided in the observation light path 52R. The shutters 70L, 70R are inserted into and removed from the observation light paths 52L, 52R by a shutter switching mechanism 72. The positions of the shutter 70L on the observation light path 52L and the shutter 70R on the observation light path 52R are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but can be changed appropriately on the observation light paths 52L, 52R. The shutters 70L, 70R may also be provided between the beam splitter 64 and the image sensor 56a.

[0053] The shutter switching mechanism 72, together with the shutters 70L and 70R described above, functions as a mode switching unit of the present invention. This shutter switching mechanism 72 is configured with an actuator (not shown), and under the control of the control device 40 (described later), individually inserts and removes the shutter 70L into and from the observation light path 52L, and inserts and removes the shutter 70R into and from the observation light path 52R. This makes it possible to retract the shutters 70L and 70R from both the observation light paths 52L and 52R, to retract the shutter 70L only from the observation light path 52L, or to retract the shutter 70R only from the observation light path 52R.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the control device 40 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the functions of the control device 40 are realized using various processors. The various processors include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a programmable logic device (e.g., a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). The various functions of the control device 40 may be realized by a single processor or by multiple processors of the same or different types.

[0055] The control device 40 functions as a drive control unit 73, an illumination control unit 74, a switching control unit 75, an image acquisition unit 76, and a display control unit 78 by executing a program read from a storage unit (not shown).

[0056] The drive control unit 73 drives the electric drive unit 16 in response to input operations on the operating lever 20, and moves the illumination system 32 and the microscope 34 back and forth, left and right, up and down, thereby adjusting the position of the illumination system 32 and the microscope 34 relative to the subject's eye E.

[0057] The illumination control unit 74 turns on and off the emission of slit light from the slit lamp 44 in response to an on / off operation of the slit lamp 44 via the operation unit 38 (or an on / off operation of the power supply of the slit lamp microscope 10).

[0058] The switching control unit 75 drives the shutter switching mechanism 72 in response to a switching operation of the operating mode of the microscope 34 on the operation unit 38, and individually controls the insertion and removal of the shutter 70L into and from the observation light path 52L and the insertion and removal of the shutter 70R into and from the observation light path 52R.

[0059] The operating modes of the microscope 34 include a stereo imaging mode (corresponding to the first mode of the present invention), a right viewpoint image acquisition mode (corresponding to the second mode of the present invention), and a left viewpoint image acquisition mode (corresponding to the third mode of the present invention).

[0060] 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the stereo imaging mode, right-viewpoint image acquisition mode, and left-viewpoint image acquisition mode of the microscope 34. As indicated by reference numeral 6A in FIG. 6, the stereo imaging mode is a mode selected, for example, when observing a specific disease in the subject's eye E, and is a mode for acquiring an observation image 80A obtained by stereo-capturing the return light from each of the observation optical paths 52L and 52R using the image sensor 56a. The observation image 80A includes a pair of images of the subject's eyes E corresponding to the first image of the present invention, i.e., a left-viewpoint image 81L obtained by capturing the return light from the observation optical path 52L and a right-viewpoint image 81R obtained by capturing the return light from the observation optical path 52R.

[0061] 6, the right viewpoint image acquisition mode is a mode selected when an examiner whose dominant eye is the right eye observes the anterior segment of the subject's eye E (in this case, observation that does not require stereoscopic vision of the subject's eye E), and is a mode for acquiring an observation image 80B in which only the return light of the observation optical path 52R is captured by the image sensor 56a. This observation image 80B includes only a right viewpoint image 81R, which corresponds to the second image of the present invention.

[0062] 6, the left viewpoint image acquisition mode is a mode selected when an examiner whose dominant eye is the left eye observes the anterior segment of the subject's eye E, and is a mode for acquiring an observation image 80C in which only the return light of the observation optical path 52L is captured by the image sensor 56a. This observation image 80C includes only a left viewpoint image 81L, which corresponds to the third image of the present invention.

[0063] Returning to FIG. 5, when a switching operation to switch to the stereo imaging mode is performed using the operation unit 38, the switching control unit 75 drives the shutter switching mechanism 72 to retract the shutters 70L and 70R from both the observation optical paths 52L and 52R (see FIG. 2). As a result, the return light from both the observation optical paths 52L and 52R is incident on the light-receiving surface of the image sensor 56a and captured by the image sensor 56a. As a result, an observation image 80A is output from the image sensor 56a.

[0064] 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the insertion / removal control of the shutters 70L and 70R by the switching control unit 75 in the right-viewpoint image acquisition mode and the left-viewpoint image acquisition mode. As indicated by reference numeral 7A in FIG. 7, when a switching operation to switch to the right-viewpoint image acquisition mode is performed using the operation unit 38, the switching control unit 75 drives the shutter switching mechanism 72 to retract the shutter 70R from the observation optical path 52R and insert the shutter 70L into the observation optical path 52L. As a result, only the returning light from the observation optical path 52R is incident on the light-receiving surface of the image sensor 56a and is captured by the image sensor 56a. As a result, an observation image 80B is output from the image sensor 56a.

[0065] 7, when a switching operation to switch to the left viewpoint image acquisition mode is performed using the operation unit 38, the switching control unit 75 drives the shutter switching mechanism 72 to retract the shutter 70L from the observation optical path 52L and insert the shutter 70R into the observation optical path 52R. As a result, only the returning light from the observation optical path 52L is incident on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 56a and is captured by the image sensor 56a. As a result, an observation image 80C is output from the image sensor 56a.

[0066] 5, the image acquisition unit 76 is connected to the image sensor 56a by wire or wirelessly via a communication interface (not shown). In each of the operation modes of the stereo imaging mode, the right viewpoint image acquisition mode, and the left viewpoint image acquisition mode, the image acquisition unit 76 acquires an observation image (one of observation images 80A, 80B, and 80C) from the image sensor 56a and outputs the observation image to the display control unit 78.

[0067] The display control unit 78 controls the display on the display unit 39. In the stereo imaging mode, the display control unit 78 extracts a left viewpoint image 81L and a right viewpoint image 81R from the observation image 80A acquired from the image acquisition unit 76, and displays the left viewpoint image 81L and the right viewpoint image 81R so as to be stereoscopically visible on the display unit 39. Note that the specific display method is a known technique (for example, a lenticular lens system, an active shutter system, etc.), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0068] In the right viewpoint image acquisition mode, the display control unit 78 extracts a right viewpoint image 81R from the observation image 80B acquired from the image acquisition unit 76, and displays the right viewpoint image 81R on the display unit 39. In the left viewpoint image acquisition mode, the display control unit 78 extracts a left viewpoint image 81L from the observation image 80C acquired from the image acquisition unit 76, and displays the left viewpoint image 81L on the display unit 39.

[0069] As described above, in this embodiment, by providing the microscope 34 with the shutters 70L, 70R and the shutter switching mechanism 72, it is possible to switch between stereo imaging and mono imaging by the microscope 34 and to switch between the observation optical paths 52R, 52L used for mono imaging. This allows switching between stereo imaging and mono imaging (right-viewpoint image acquisition mode, left-viewpoint image acquisition mode) to be performed in accordance with the object and purpose of observation of the subject's eye E, and during mono imaging, switching between the right-viewpoint image acquisition mode and the left-viewpoint image acquisition mode to be performed in accordance with the examiner's dominant eye. As a result, observation images (observation images 80A to 80C) of the subject's eye E that correspond to the object and purpose of observation of the subject's eye E and the examiner's dominant eye are obtained.

[0070] For example, if stereoscopic viewing of the subject eye E is preferred depending on the type of disease of the subject eye E, the microscope 34 can be switched to a stereo imaging mode to acquire the observation image 80A (left viewpoint image 81L and right viewpoint image 81R), and the left viewpoint image 81L and right viewpoint image 81R can be displayed on the display unit 39 in a stereoscopic manner.

[0071] Furthermore, when observing the anterior segment of the subject's eye E and the examiner's dominant eye is the right eye, the microscope 34 can be switched to a right viewpoint image acquisition mode, whereby only the returning light from the observation optical path 52R is captured by the image sensor 56a to obtain an observation image 80B, and a right viewpoint image 81R can be displayed on the display unit 39 based on this observation image 80B. Furthermore, when the examiner's dominant eye is the left eye, the microscope 34 can be switched to a left viewpoint image acquisition mode, whereby only the returning light from the observation optical path 52L is captured by the image sensor 56a to obtain an observation image 80C, and a left viewpoint image 81L can be displayed on the display unit 39 based on this observation image 80C. This makes it possible to display on the display unit 39 an image of the subject's eye E corresponding to the examiner's dominant eye (the right viewpoint image 81R or the left viewpoint image 81L). As a result, the image of the subject's eye E observed through the display unit 39 and the image of the subject's eye observed through the eyepieces 68L, 68R appear to match, reducing the examiner's sense of discomfort.

[0072] [Second embodiment] 8 is a functional block diagram of the control device 40 of the slit lamp microscope 10 of the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the operating mode of the microscope 34 can be selectively switched by controlling the insertion and removal of the shutters 70L, 70R using the shutter switching mechanism 72, but in the second embodiment, the operating mode can be selectively switched without providing the microscope 34 with shutters 70L, 70R, etc.

[0073] 8, the slit lamp microscope 10 of the second embodiment has basically the same configuration as the first embodiment, except that the control device 40 functions as an image processing unit 77 instead of being provided with shutters 70L, 70R and a shutter switching mechanism 72. For this reason, parts that are the same in function or configuration as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0074] Since the microscope 34 of the second embodiment does not have shutters 70L, 70R, the image sensor 36a always captures the return light from both the observation light paths 52L, 52R, and the image acquisition unit 76 always acquires the observation image 80A from the image sensor 36a and outputs it to the image processing unit 77.

[0075] 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining image processing (trimming) by the image processing unit 77. As shown in Fig. 9, the image processing unit 77 corresponds to the mode switching unit and trimming unit of the present invention, and when the operation mode selected by the operation unit 38 is the right viewpoint image acquisition mode or the left viewpoint image acquisition mode, the image processing unit 77 performs trimming processing on the observation image 80A (right viewpoint image 81R and left viewpoint image 81L) input from the image acquisition unit 76.

[0076] When the operation mode is switched to the right viewpoint image acquisition mode by the operation unit 38, the image processing unit 77 trims only the right viewpoint image 81R from the observation image 80A input from the image acquisition unit 76, and outputs this right viewpoint image 81R to the display control unit 78. As a result, the display control unit 78 displays the right viewpoint image 81R on the display unit 39.

[0077] Furthermore, when the operation mode is switched to the right viewpoint image acquisition mode by the operation unit 38, the image processing unit 77 trims only the left viewpoint image 81L from the observation image 80A input from the image acquisition unit 76, and outputs this left viewpoint image 81L to the display control unit 78. As a result, the display control unit 78 displays the left viewpoint image 81L on the display unit 39.

[0078] Furthermore, when the operation mode is switched to the stereo imaging mode by the operation unit 38, the image processing unit 77 enters a standby state (stopped operation state) and outputs the observation image 80A as is to the display control unit 78. As a result, the display control unit 78 displays the left viewpoint image 81L and the right viewpoint image 81R on the display unit 39 so that they can be viewed stereoscopically.

[0079] As described above, in the second embodiment, the operating mode can be switched by software processing by the image processing unit 77, so shutters 70L, 70R, etc. as in the first embodiment are not required, and the manufacturing cost of the slit lamp microscope 10 can be reduced.

[0080] [others] In the above embodiments, the operation mode is switched by the shutters 70L, 70R or the image processing unit 77, but the operation mode may also be switched by controlling the operation of the image sensor 56a.

[0081] For example, the light receiving surface of the image sensor 56a is divided into a first light receiving area that receives return light from the observation light path 52R and a second light receiving area that receives return light from the observation light path 52L. An imaging control unit (mode switching unit) (not shown) individually controls image capture and image capture stop in the first light receiving area and the second light receiving area of ​​the image sensor 56a. Examples of this control include readout control (CMOS type) using an XY address system for the image sensor 56a or partial electronic shutter control. This allows the operating mode to be switched without providing shutters 70L, 70R, etc., as in the second embodiment, thereby achieving the same effects as the second embodiment.

[0082] In the first embodiment described above, the operating mode of the microscope 34 can be selectively switched by controlling the insertion and removal of the shutters 70L, 70R using the shutter switching mechanism 72. However, for example, if the beam splitter 64 is provided separately for each of the observation light paths 52L, 52R, the operating mode can also be switched by controlling the insertion and removal of the beam splitter 64 for each of the observation light paths 52L, 52R.

[0083] In the above embodiment, a Zeiss-type (Littman-type) slit lamp microscope 10 in which the illumination system 32 is provided below the deflection element 48 has been used as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a Haag-type (Goldmann-type) slit lamp microscope 10 in which the illumination system 32 is provided above the deflection element 48.

[0084] Although the above embodiments have been described taking the slit lamp microscope 10 as an example, the present invention can be applied to various ophthalmic microscopes such as surgical microscopes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 10 Slit Lamp Microscope 12 base 14 Face support 14a Post 14b Chin rest 14c amount 16 Electric drive unit 18 Movable Table 20 Operating lever 20a switch 22 First support part 24 Microscope support arm 24a Horizontal arm 24b Vertical arm section 26 Rotating shaft 28 Second support 30 Rotating Axis 32 Lighting system 34 Microscope 36a Image sensor 38 Control section 39 Display section 40 Control device 44 Slit lamp 48 Deflection element 50 objective lenses 52L, 52R Observation light path 54L, 54R eyepiece system 56 Imaging system 56a Image sensor 60L, 60R variable magnification unit 62L, 62R aperture 62a Field stop 62b Shooting aperture 64 Beam Splitter 66L, 66R Prism Unit 68L, 68R eyepieces 70L, 70R shutter 72 Shutter switching mechanism 73 Drive control unit 74 Lighting control unit 75 Switching control section 76 Image acquisition unit 77 Image processing section 78 Display control unit 80A, 80B, 80C Observation images 81L Left viewpoint image 81R Right View Image E. Examined eye OL,OR Observation optical axis OLa,ORa Branched optical axis θ convergence angle

Claims

1. an observation system for observing the eye to be examined, the observation system having an objective lens and a pair of observation optical paths; an imaging system capable of stereoscopically imaging observation light of the subject's eye for each of the observation optical paths; a mode switching unit that can selectively switch between a first mode in which a first image is acquired by stereo-capturing the observation light from both sides of the observation light path using the imaging system, a second mode in which only a second image is acquired by capturing the observation light from one side of the observation light path using the imaging system, and a third mode in which only a third image is acquired by capturing the observation light from the other side of the observation light path using the imaging system; Equipped with the imaging system stereoscopically captures the observation light from both of the observation light paths and outputs the first image; the mode switching unit is a trimming unit that trims the first image output from the imaging system, An ophthalmic microscope wherein the trimming unit trims the second image from the first image in the second mode, trims the third image from the first image in the third mode, and is in a standby state in the first mode.

2. the observation system includes binocular eyepieces, one of the observation optical paths is provided between one of the eyepieces and the objective lens, and the other of the observation optical paths is provided between the other of the eyepieces and the objective lens, a deflection element capable of deflecting a part of the observation light passing through one and the other of the observation optical paths to outside the optical paths of the observation optical paths; 2. An ophthalmic microscope according to claim 1, wherein the imaging system is capable of capturing images of the observation light on one side of the observation optical path deflected by the deflecting element and the observation light on the other side of the observation optical path deflected by the deflecting element.

3. 3. The ophthalmic microscope according to claim 2, wherein the imaging system is capable of capturing images of both of the observation lights deflected by the deflecting elements for each of the observation optical paths using a common imaging element.

4. 4. An ophthalmic microscope according to claim 2, wherein the deflection element is disposed across both of the observation optical paths.

5. a variable magnification optical system provided between the objective lens and the deflection element for each of the observation optical paths; a diaphragm provided between the deflection element and the variable magnification optical system for each of the observation optical paths; 5. An ophthalmic microscope according to claim 2, comprising:

6. An ophthalmic microscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a display unit that displays the second image in the second mode, the third image in the third mode, and the first image in the first mode in a manner that allows stereoscopic viewing.

Images