Apparatus for scanning the eye

Abstract

Taking into consideration the problem of providing a device for scanning an eye or a part of an eye, with a scanning angle that can be set as variably as possible and which produces images of the highest possible quality as quickly as possible, the device for scanning an eye (1), comprising a scanner (2) with a reflective surface (3) onto which at least one incident light beam (4a, 4b) can be directed and in which a light beam (5a, 5b) reflected from the reflective surface (3) towards the incident light beam (4a, 4b) can be rotated by the scanner (2) over an angular range (6a, 6b), is characterized in that means are provided for directing at least two mutually spaced incident light beams (4a, 4b) towards the reflective surface (3) and thereby rotating the at least two reflected light beams (5a, 5b) each over an angular range (6a, 6b).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1 . [Background technology]

[0002] Devices for scanning the eye typically comprise a scanner having a reflective surface onto which an incident light beam can be directed, and the light beam reflected from the reflective surface onto which the incident light beam is directed can be rotated by the scanner over an angular range, the so-called scanning angle.

[0003] Against this background, confocal laser scanning devices have become known, but they use only one light beam and are therefore limited in terms of light intensity and speed.

[0004] The reason for this limitation is that the technical parameters such as scanning speed, scanning angle, and scanning area are interdependent to some extent and cannot be increased arbitrarily.

[0005] Scanners with large scan areas and scan angles are often relatively slow, while scanners with small scan areas and small scan angles can often operate at very high speeds.

[0006] The product of scan area and scan angle is critical to the light intensity, which often cannot be increased significantly by optical transformations, which can limit the light intensity or speed, especially in wide-angle systems.

[0007] Scanners with small scanning angles require long focal lengths to produce large intermediate images, which increases the space requirements of the optics used in this case. Devices that are confocal in only one axis exhibit relatively low image quality. Therefore, relatively complex optics and very sensitive line cameras are required.

[0008] Against this background, there is a need for devices that are bright, fast, and have very good image quality to scan a wide angle in front of the eye. These devices should be as compact as possible. Furthermore, there is a need for very fast scanning devices that produce smaller scan angles. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the problem of providing a device for scanning an eye or a part of an eye, which has a scanning angle that can be set as variably as possible, is as fast as possible and is able to produce images of the highest possible quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention solves the above problem by the features of claim 1.

[0011] First, it is recognized that there is a need for devices that are bright, fast, and have very good image quality, and that can scan wide angles, particularly ±50° in front of the eye. These devices must be as compact as possible.

[0012] Additionally, there is a recognized need for very fast scanning devices that produce smaller scan angles.

[0013] It is further recognized that an apparatus meeting these requirements must have means for directing at least two spaced apart incident light beams onto a reflective surface, thereby rotating at least two reflected light beams each through an angular range.

[0014] This multi-beam approach allows for an increased primary scan angle without the drawbacks mentioned at the beginning.

[0015] In the ideal case where there are no crossovers or gaps, the total scan angle range, or total scan angle, increases by a factor of the number of light beams. Essentially, the formula is: Total scan angle = Scanning device scan angle x Number of light beams.

[0016] Thus, it is recognized that for multiple light beams, the speed can be increased at a constant speed across the entire scan angle or at a constant scan angle.

[0017] The incident light beams may be aligned parallel but spaced apart in front of the scanning unit, allowing them to pass through a lens together and be reflected off a reflective surface together.

[0018] A first light beam reflected from the reflective surface may sweep a first angular range while simultaneously a second light beam reflected from the reflective surface sweeps a second angular range, thereby collectively scanning or detecting one full angular range. By using multiple light beams, preferably two or more light beams, the full angular range is expanded approximately proportional to the number of incident or reflected light beams.

[0019] The angular extents of the individual light beams may overlap, and this slight overlap can be exploited for image processing, in particular for spatial matching of sub-images, as well as for intensity adjustment.

[0020] Separate detectors may be provided for the incident, returning, and / or reflected light beams, so that light beams with different wavelengths and / or different interference patterns can be detected independently of one another relative to the reference light beam.

[0021] The primary light beam emitted by the light source may pass through one or more beam splitters as a light beam incident on a reflective surface and reach the eye from there as a reflected light beam, and the light beam returning from the eye along the same optical path may be directed at this beam splitter into a detector beam, which may be directed towards a detector assigned to it. Thus, the light beam from the eye or the light beam returning to the examined object may interfere with the light beam of the reference arm and be combined with this light beam of the reference arm to form a detector beam. The detector beam can then be detected by a detector and evaluated by downstream equipment.

[0022] The means may include an optical device for splitting light, which can split a single light beam into two or more light beams incident on a reflective surface and / or into two or more first-order light beams incident on a beam splitter. Thus, only one light source can be used, whose light beam is then split or multiplied by optical means. In this case, for example, a beam splitter or a prism can be used, but multiple sub-beams can also be generated from a large first-order laser beam through an aperture. In this context, for example, a Hartmann-Shack lenslet can be considered.

[0023] The means may comprise different and / or independent light sources, each emitting one primary or incident light beam, and thus allowing different wavelengths of light to be used to scan the object.

[0024] Two or more light beams may intersect at a reflective or mirrored surface of the scanner, allowing multiple light beams to be detected or scanned in parallel.

[0025] This may be done along the X direction, i.e., the fast scan axis, and along the Y direction, i.e., the slow scan axis, or in both directions, thereby increasing the total scan angle of the device.

[0026] A larger scan amplitude at the same speed and scan area allows the product of the scan area and scan angle of the scanner to be increased, an advantage that can be utilized in a variety of ways.

[0027] Much higher scanning speeds can be achieved. Much higher light intensities can be achieved, which improves resolution and reduces lens flare artifacts. Greater flexibility in choosing the scanning device. Only small enlargement of the scanning device allows for a more compact format and / or longer working distances.

[0028] In the drawings, one figure is illustrated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partial schematic diagram of an apparatus for scanning an eye, particularly a human eye, in which multiple light beams are simultaneously incident on a reflective surface of the scanning apparatus and directed toward the eye. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for scanning an eye 1, i.e. a human eye 1, comprising a scanner 2 having a reflective surface 3 onto which at least one incident light beam 4a, 4b can be directed, and light beams 5a, 5b reflected from the reflective surface 3 towards the incident light beam 4a, 4b can be rotated by the scanner 2 over an angular range 6a, 6b.

[0031] A plurality of light beams 4a, 4b, here specifically two light beams 4a, 4b, can be directed towards the same scanner 2 and intersect at the reflecting surface 3. The light beams 4a, 4b can be scanned in parallel.

[0032] To generate the multiple light beams 4a, 4b, multiple light sources 8a, 8b may be used as shown, or a single primary light beam of a light source may be split or multiplied via an optical beam splitter.

[0033] In particular, however, means are provided in the form of two light sources 8a, 8b capable of directing two mutually spaced incident light beams 4a, 4b onto the reflecting surface 3, so that at least two reflected light beams 5a, 5b are each rotatable over an angular range 6a, 6b.

[0034] The means specifically comprise different and mutually independent light sources 8a, 8b, each emitting a primary light beam 9a, 9b, which passes through a beam splitter 11 and enters a lens 12 as an incident light beam 4a, 4b.

[0035] The incident light beams 4 a , 4 b are aligned parallel and spaced apart from one another and are directed through a lens 12 onto and incident on the reflective surface 3 of the scanner 2 .

[0036] In particular, the angle between the light beams 4a, 4b after passing through the lens 12 is preferably adapted to the scanning angle of the scanner 2. The light beams 4a, 4b can intersect at the reflecting surface 3.

[0037] The first light beam 5a reflected by the reflecting surface 3 sweeps a first angular range 6a, and simultaneously the second light beam 5b reflected by the reflecting surface 3 sweeps a second angular range 6b, thereby collectively scanning or detecting an entire angular range 6c. The angular ranges 6a, 6b may overlap.

[0038] The reflected light beams 5a, 5b are directed towards the eye 1, from which the light beams 4'a, 4'b return along the same optical path, as indicated by the two-way arrows in the drawing.

[0039] A separate detector 7a, 7b is provided for each incoming light beam 4a, 4b, returning light beam 4'a, 4'b and / or reflected light beam 5a, 5b, respectively. Each light beam requires a separate detector 7a, 7b.

[0040] Specifically, primary light beams 9a and 9b emitted from the respective light sources 8a and 8b pass through the beam splitter 11 as light beams 4a and 4b incident on the reflecting surface 3, and first enter the eye 1 as reflected light beams 5a and 5b.

[0041] The light beams 4'a, 4'b returning from the eye 1 on the same optical path are directed by a beam splitter 11 into detector beams 10a, 10b which are directed towards the detectors 7a, 7b assigned to them.

[0042] The returning light beams 4'a, 4'b are superimposed and interfere with a light beam (not shown) from the reference arm in detector beams 10a, 10b. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 eye 2 scanner 3 Reflective surface of 2 4a, 4b Light beam incident on 2 4'a, 4'b Light beam returning from 2 5a, 5b Light beams reflected by 2, 3 6a angle range, 4a, 5a scanning angles 6b angle range, 4b, 5b scan angle 6c Full angle range, full scan angle 7a,7b Detector Light sources 8a, 8b 9a, 9b 9a, 9b Primary light beam 10a, 10b Detector beam 11 Beam splitter 12 Lenses 13 Inspection plane 14 light spot

Claims

1. A device for scanning an eye (1), comprising: a scanner (2) having a reflecting surface (3) capable of directing at least two incident light beams (4a, 4b) toward the eye, the reflected light beams (5a, 5b) being reflected by the reflecting surface (3) from the incident light beams (4a, 4b) being capable of rotating over an angular range (6a, 6b); means for directing at least two parallel and spaced apart incident light beams (4a, 4b) onto the reflecting surface (3), so that at least two of the reflected light beams (5a, 5b) can each rotate through an angular range (6a, 6b); Equipped with The primary light beams (9a, 9b) emitted from the light sources (8a, 8b) of the device pass through one beam splitter (11) and travel as the incident light beams (4a, 4b) toward the reflecting surface (3), while the return light beams (4'a, 4'b) returning from the eye (1) are reflected by the beam splitter (11) as detector beams (10a, 10b), which travel toward the respective detectors (7a, 7b) assigned to the detector beams (10a, 10b). An apparatus characterized in that

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first reflected light beam (5a) sweeps a first angle range (6a) while simultaneously the second reflected light beam (5b) sweeps a second angle range (6b), thereby making it possible to scan or detect a complete angle range (6c) as a whole.

3. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the angular ranges (6a, 6b) overlap.

4. The device described in claim 1, characterized in that a separate detector (7a, 7b) is provided for each of the return light beams (4'a, 4'b).

5. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means comprises an optical device for splitting light, by means of which a single light beam is split into two or more first-order light beams (9a, 9b) which are incident on the beam splitter (11).

6. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said means comprise different and / or mutually independent light sources (8a, 8b), said light sources (8a, 8b) emitting said primary light beams (9a, 9b) respectively.

7. An apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a lens (12) upstream of the scanner (2) that passes the parallel and spaced-apart incident light beams (4a, 4b) and refracts them together toward the reflecting surface (3).

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