OCT device

Abstract

To provide an OCT apparatus which is easy even for an unfamiliar examiner to photograph an anterior eye part with.SOLUTION: An OCT apparatus includes: an OCT optical system which irradiates a measuring beam to a part to be photographed of the eye to be tested and detects a spectral interference signal between the measuring beam and reference light; an observation optical system which irradiates observation light to the part to be photographed and acquires a front image of the observation part on the basis of reflectance of the observation light from the observation part; changing means which changes the part to be photographed in the OCT optical system and the observation optical system between the ocular fundus and the anterior eye part of the eye to be tested; a drive part which moves a photography unit including the OCT optical system and the observation optical system to the eye to be tested; and a control part. When the anterior eye part of the eye to be tested is the part to be photographed, the control part displays the front image of the anterior eye part that is acquired successively via the observation optical system to a first area on a screen and receives an operation input for controlling the drive part via the first area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an OCT device.

Background Art

[0002] In the field of ophthalmology, as an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) device that captures tomographic images of the tissues of an eye to be examined, a device that selectively captures fundus OCT and anterior segment OCT by switching the optical system is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that can simply capture anterior segment OCT by attaching an adapter lens to fundus OCT.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a device that can simply capture anterior segment OCT, the operability of the device when capturing anterior segment OCT has not been sufficiently considered. In contrast, this disclosure has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and the technical problem is to provide an OCT device that is easy for an inexperienced examiner to capture anterior segment OCT.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An OCT apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: an OCT optical system that irradiates a measurement light onto a shooting area of ​​the eye under examination and detects a spectral interference signal between the measurement light and a reference light; an observation optical system that irradiates an observation light onto the shooting area and acquires a frontal image of the observation area based on the reflected light of the observation light from the observation area; a changing means for changing the shooting area in the OCT optical system and the observation optical system between the fundus and the anterior segment of the eye under examination; a drive unit for moving an imaging unit including the OCT optical system and the observation optical system relative to the eye under examination; and a control unit, wherein when the anterior segment of the eye under examination is the shooting area, the control unit displays the frontal images of the anterior segment acquired sequentially via the observation optical system in a first area on the screen and accepts operation inputs for controlling the drive unit via the first area. When the fundus of the eye under examination is the imaging site, the control unit displays the frontal images of the fundus acquired sequentially via the observation optical system in the first area, and accepts operation inputs via the first area to change the scan position on the fundus in the XY direction. ru. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an OCT device that makes it easy for even inexperienced examiners to take anterior segment OCT images. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of the OCT device in the example. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the equipment configuration for photographing the anterior segment of the eye. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the operation flow in the embodiment. [Figure 4] This shows the image captured in fundus mode of the embodiment. [Figure 5] This shows the captured image in the anterior segment mode of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] "overview" The OCT apparatus illustrated in this disclosure comprises at least an OCT optical system, an observation optical system, a modification unit, a drive unit, and a control unit. The OCT optical system irradiates the imaging area of ​​the eye under examination with measurement light and detects the spectral interference signal between the measurement light and the reference light. The observation optical system irradiates the imaging area with observation light and is used to acquire a frontal image of the observation area based on the reflected light of the observation light from the observation area. The modification unit changes the imaging area of ​​the eye under examination in the OCT optical system and the observation optical system between the fundus and the anterior segment of the eye under examination. The drive unit moves the imaging unit, including the OCT optical system and the observation optical system, relative to the eye under examination. When the anterior segment of the eye under examination is the imaging area, the control unit displays the frontal images of the anterior segment acquired sequentially via the observation optical system in a first region on the screen. Also, when the anterior segment of the eye under examination is the imaging area, the control unit receives operation input for controlling the drive unit via the first region.

[0009] When the anterior segment of the eye under examination is the imaging site, the position of the imaging unit relative to the eye under examination can be confirmed through the first area, which displays sequentially acquired frontal images of the anterior segment. Furthermore, operations to move the imaging unit can be input, making it easier for the examiner to adjust the position of the imaging unit in anterior segment mode.

[0010] Furthermore, if the anterior segment of the eye under examination is the imaging site, the control unit may receive an input via a pointing device to specify a position on the frontal image of the anterior segment in the first region. In addition, if the anterior segment of the eye under examination is the imaging site, the control unit may move the imaging unit in the XY direction relative to the eye under examination so that the tissue of the anterior segment displayed at the specified position is displayed at a predetermined position within the first region. This moves the optical axes of the OCT optical system and the observation optical system in the XY direction.

[0011] When the pointing device is operated, the imaging unit is moved so that the anterior segment tissue displayed at the specified position in the first region is displayed at a predetermined position within the first region, allowing the examiner to easily move the imaging unit to their desired position. The approximate scan position of the anterior segment OCT in the XY direction is determined according to the position of the imaging unit in the XY direction relative to the eye being examined. Therefore, the scan position of the anterior segment OCT in the XY direction is easily adjusted based on the input specifying the position on the frontal image of the anterior segment in the first region.

[0012] However, other types of input may be used as the input via the pointing device. For example, when the frontal image of the anterior segment displayed in the first region is dragged by the pointing device, the drive unit may be controlled so that the imaging unit 2 moves in the opposite direction to the direction of the drag, depending on the direction and amount of the drag. The control unit may also accept input via a touch panel. The touch panel is provided with a first region, and in anterior segment mode, the frontal image of the anterior segment is displayed in the first region. In this case, the drive unit may be controlled based on a flick operation, rotation gesture operation, or long tap operation on the first region detected by the touch panel to adjust the position of the imaging unit 2 relative to the eye under examination E (for details on the input and the operation of the drive unit in response to the input, see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-205078 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-176545 by the present applicant).

[0013] When the fundus of the eye being examined is the imaging site, the control unit displays the frontal images of the fundus, which are acquired sequentially via the observation optical system, in the first region, and also receives operation inputs via the first region to change the scan position on the fundus in the XY direction. In this case, the control unit changes the scan position on the fundus in the XY direction by controlling at least one of the OCT optical system and the fixation optical system. Thus, whether the imaging site is the anterior segment or the fundus, the operations received via the first region are operations to change the scan position in the XY direction, making it easy for even inexperienced examiners to understand how to operate the device.

[0014] Furthermore, the position of the first region on the screen may remain the same whether the imaging area is the anterior segment or the fundus. The screen layout of areas other than the first region may also be identical. This makes it easier for inexperienced examiners to understand how to operate the device.

[0015] Furthermore, the OCT device may also be equipped with a second observation optical system distinct from the primary observation optical system. The second observation optical system is used to observe the anterior segment of the eye under examination when the fundus of the eye under examination is the imaging site. When the fundus of the eye under examination is the imaging site, the control unit displays the frontal images of the anterior segment acquired sequentially via the second observation optical system as the second observation image in the second region. This makes it easier to adjust the position of the imaging unit relative to the eye under examination by using the observation image of the frontal image of the anterior segment when the fundus of the eye under examination is the imaging site. Automatic alignment and tracking may also be performed based on the second observation image. Note that the primary observation optical system and the second observation optical system may have different light sources and photodetectors (image sensors).

[0016] When the anterior eye segment of the eye to be examined is the imaging site, the control unit may stop the display control of the second observation image in the second region. When the anterior eye segment of the eye to be examined is the imaging site, it becomes difficult to obtain an appropriate frontal image of the anterior eye segment by the second observation optical system. Therefore, the display control of the second observation image in the second region is stopped, and the observation image of the anterior eye segment obtained through the observation optical system is displayed in the first region. Thus, it is less likely to give the examiner a misunderstanding about the adjustment state of the position of the imaging unit 2 with respect to the eye to be examined E.

[0017] A third region may be arranged on the screen together with the first region. The control unit may display a live image of the OCT image of the eye to be examined sequentially obtained through the OCT optical system in the third region.

[0018] "Embodiment" Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The OCT apparatus 1 according to the embodiment acquires OCT data of the eye to be examined. In the OCT apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the OCT data of the fundus and the OCT data of the anterior eye segment are selectively imaged.

[0019] First, the configuration of the OCT apparatus 1 will be described while referring to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 shows the apparatus configuration in a state where the OCT data of the fundus can be imaged. FIG. 2 shows the apparatus configuration in a state where the OCT data of the anterior eye segment can be imaged. FIG. 2 is different from FIG. 1 in that the anterior eye segment attachment 65 is attached to the imaging unit 2.

[0020] In the description of the embodiment, the axial direction of the eye to be examined E is described as the Z direction, the horizontal direction as the X direction, and the vertical direction as the Y direction.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the OCT apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes an imaging unit 2, a drive unit 5, and a control unit 70.

[0022] <Measurement unit> The imaging unit 2 has the main optical system in the OCT apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the imaging unit 2 has an OCT optical system (interference optical system) 10, a first observation optical system (SLO optical system) 30, and a second observation optical system 40 (anterior eye segment observation optical system). The optical paths of the OCT optical system 10, the first observation optical system 30, and the second observation optical system 40 are branched / combined by beam splitters / combiners 16, 17.

[0023] <OCT optical system> The OCT optical system 10 detects the spectral interference signal between the measurement light and the reference light irradiated to the eye to be examined. The OCT optical system 10 may be, for example, SD-OCT, SS-OCT, or OCT based on other imaging principles.

[0024] The OCT optical system 10 has at least an OCT light source 11, an optical splitter 12, a reference optical system 20, and a detector 25. In this embodiment, the reference optical system 20 will be described as a reflective optical system, but it may also be a transmissive optical system.

[0025] The OCT light source 11 emits low-coherence light. The light emitted from the OCT light source 11 is split into measurement light and reference light by the optical splitter 12. In this embodiment, a coupler (splitter) is used as the optical splitter 12. The measurement light is guided to the eye to be examined through the light guiding optical system 10a, and the reference light is guided to the reference optical system 20. In FIG. 1, the polarizer 13 is disposed on the reference optical path. The reference light is reflected by a mirror (not shown) disposed on the reference optical path and is incident on the detector 25 in a state of being combined with the return light of the measurement light by the optical splitter 12. Thereby, the spectral interference signal between the return light and the reference light is detected. For example, in SD-OCT, a spectrometer is used as the detector 25.

[0026] In this embodiment, the mirror (not shown) on which the reference optical system 20 is disposed is movable along the optical axis, and the optical path length difference between the measurement light and the reference light is adjusted according to the position of the mirror. Also, the polarization of the measurement light and the reference light is adjusted by the polarizer 13.

[0027] In addition, a focusing lens 14, a scanning unit (optical scanner) 15, and an objective lens 60 are arranged in the optical path between the optical splitter 12 and the eye under examination E.

[0028] In this embodiment, the focus position in the OCT optical system 10 is changed by displacing the focusing lens 14 in the direction of the optical axis.

[0029] The scanning unit 15 is used to change the acquisition position of the OCT image. The scanning unit 15 may also be used to scan the measurement light two-dimensionally over the imaging area of ​​the eye under examination. The scanning unit 15 may include, for example, two optical scanners with different scanning directions. Each optical scanner may be a galvanometer mirror or another type of optical scanner.

[0030] The objective lens 60 guides the measurement light to the imaging area in the eye under examination. The measurement light is rotated via the objective lens 60, with a rotation point at a position conjugate to the scanning unit 15. As shown in Figure 1, when the anterior segment of the eye under examination is located at the rotation point, the measurement light reaches the fundus without being vignetted by the iris, and the measurement light is scanned over the fundus based on the drive of the scanning unit 15. In this case, the focusing surface of the measurement light is formed on the fundus.

[0031] <Anterior segment attachment> In this embodiment, the anterior segment attachment 65 is used to change the imaging area in the OCT optical system 10 and the first observation optical system 30 between the fundus and the anterior segment of the eye E under examination. As shown in Figure 2, when acquiring an anterior segment OCT, the anterior segment attachment 65 (attachment lens 65a) is inserted between the objective lens 60 and the eye E under examination. This changes the scanning pattern of the measurement light between acquiring fundus OCT and acquiring anterior segment OCT. With the attachment lens 65a inserted, the measurement light is irradiated telecentrically to acquire anterior segment OCT. Furthermore, with the attachment lens 65a inserted, the focusing state of the measurement light is changed so that the focusing surface of the measurement light is located in the anterior segment.

[0032] <First observation optical system> The first observation optical system 30 is used to acquire a frontal image of the area being photographed as an observation image. When the anterior segment attachment 65 is not attached (retracted), a frontal image of the fundus is acquired as an observation image via the first observation optical system 30. When the anterior segment attachment 65 is attached, a frontal image of the anterior segment is acquired as an observation image via the first observation optical system 30.

[0033] Figure 1 shows an SLO optical system as an example of the first observation optical system 30. The first observation optical system 30 may have at least an illumination optical system and a light-receiving optical system. The illumination optical system illuminates the imaging area of ​​the eye under examination with observation light. The light-receiving optical system receives the retinal reflected light from the observation light using a light-receiving element 39. Observation images are acquired sequentially based on the output signal from the light-receiving element 30.

[0034] The first observation optical system 30 further includes a focus adjustment unit. The focus adjustment unit includes a focusing lens 34.

[0035] For example, a laser diode light source is used as the observation light source 31. In addition to the focusing lens 34, a scanning unit 35 and an objective lens 60 are arranged in the observation optical path. The scanning unit 35 scans light two-dimensionally in the area of ​​the eye being examined. The scanning unit 35 may include, for example, a combination of a polygon mirror and a galvanometer scanner.

[0036] Furthermore, a beam splitter 33 is positioned between the observation light source 31 and the focusing lens 34. A confocal aperture 37 and a photodetector 39 are positioned in the transmission direction of the beam splitter 33.

[0037] The observation light is reflected by the beam splitter 33 and then passes through the focusing lens 34 before reaching the scanning unit 35. After passing through the scanning unit 35, the light passes through the beam splitter 17 and then passes through the objective lens 60 before illuminating the imaging area of ​​the eye under examination.

[0038] The reflected light from the imaging area is guided back along the light projection path to the beam splitter 33. The reflected light from the imaging area passes through the beam splitter 33 and is then received by the photodetector 39 via the confocal aperture 37. Based on the received signal from the photodetector 39, a frontal image of the imaging area is formed. The formed frontal image may be stored in the memory 72.

[0039] <Second observation optical system> The second observation optical system 40 is used to observe a frontal image (referred to as the observation image) of the anterior segment of the eye E under examination. The second observation optical system 40 has at least an image sensor 45. In this embodiment, when the imaging area of ​​the OCT optical system 10 and the first observation optical system 30 is the fundus, an image of the anterior segment is formed on the image sensor 45. That is, when the anterior segment attachment 65 is not attached, the image sensor 45 and the anterior segment are in a substantially conjugate relationship. The observation image of the anterior segment acquired via the second observation optical system 40 is used for aligning the imaging unit 2 of the eye E under examination during fundus photography.

[0040] <Fixation projection optical system> The OCT device 1 further includes a fixation target projection optical system. The fixation target projection optical system may be an internal fixation lamp. The fixation target projection optical system guides the line of sight of the eye under examination E by projecting a fixation target (fixation beam) onto the eye under examination E. In this embodiment, the fixation target projection optical system can change the presentation position of the fixation target in two dimensions and guide the eye under examination E in multiple directions. As a result, the imaging area is changed. In this embodiment, the fixation projection optical system is also used by the first observation optical system 30, which is an SLO optical system. By providing a visible light source different from the observation light source and controlling the projection timing of the visible light, the fixation target is projected onto the eye under examination E.

[0041] <Drive Unit> The drive unit 5 moves the imaging unit 3 in the XYZ directions relative to the eye E under examination. The drive unit 5 has actuators for moving the imaging unit 2 in each direction and is driven based on control signals from the control unit 70.

[0042] <Control System> Next, we will explain the control system of OCT device 1.

[0043] The control unit 70 of the OCT device 1 controls various operations within the OCT device 1. In this embodiment, the control unit 70 also performs various image processing operations. In other words, the control unit 70 also functions as an image processor. The control unit 70 may be composed of, for example, a CPU, RAM, and ROM.

[0044] In this embodiment, the control unit 70 is connected to the monitor 80 and controls the display on the monitor 80. Furthermore, the control unit 70 is connected to the memory 72, the operation unit 85, and so on.

[0045] In this embodiment, the operating unit 85 may have a pointing device such as a mouse. Alternatively, the monitor 80 may be a touch panel display, in which case the monitor 80 also functions as the operating unit 85. The monitor 80 and the operating unit 85 may be located remotely from the OCT device 1 via a network or the like.

[0046] <Operation Description> Next, the operation of the OCT device 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations during imaging. Various operations during imaging are input via the imaging screen 100 shown in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows the screen configuration when acquiring OCT data of the fundus. Figure 5 shows the screen configuration when acquiring OCT data of the anterior segment of the eye. The imaging screen 100 of this embodiment is provided with at least a first area 110, a second area 120, and a third area 130 as display areas where, for example, an image of the eye under examination acquired via the optical system is displayed. The first area 110 is used to display a frontal image of the imaging area. For example, an observation image acquired via the first observation optical system 30 may be displayed in the first area 110. The second area 120 displays a second observation image acquired via the second observation optical system 40. The third area 130 is used to display an OCT image of the imaging area. For example, a real-time B-scan image may be displayed in the first area 110. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the arrangement of the respective display areas 110, 120, and 130 on the imaging screen 100 remains constant whether OCT data of the fundus or OCT data of the anterior segment is being acquired. Furthermore, the imaging screen 100 includes various user interfaces for setting imaging conditions and displaying the device status (details will be described later).

[0047] For example, in this embodiment, the imaging area and scan pattern are set first (S1). Various types of OCT scan patterns are known, such as line, cross, multi, map, radial, and circle. The OCT device 1 in this embodiment has multiple combinations of one or more scan patterns pre-prepared according to the disease and application. In addition, the imaging area is predetermined for each combination and scan pattern. The examiner can select any of the combinations according to the disease and application by operating the scan pattern selection unit 140.

[0048] The breakdown of each scan pattern included in the selected combination is reflected in the contents of List 150. In List 150 in Figures 4 and 5, text indicating the scan settings for each scan is displayed. The text includes the target eye (either left or right), the area to be scanned, and the scan pattern as scan settings. The target eye can be selected and changed by operating the target eye selection button 160.

[0049] Images are captured sequentially according to the scan settings displayed in List 150. Typically, images are captured from top to bottom in List 150. When a scan setting for the next capture (to be executed when the capture button 180 is operated next) is selected, the selected scan setting and its corresponding text are highlighted in List 150. The examiner can also change the scan setting for the next capture by selecting the desired scan setting and its corresponding text using the pointing device.

[0050] <Fundus Mode> If the scan setting for fundus photography is selected, the control unit 70 sets the device's imaging mode to fundus mode (S2: fundus mode). In this case, the examiner should retract the anterior segment attachment 65.

[0051] In fundus mode, the control unit 70 controls the first observation optical system 30 and the second observation optical system 40 respectively to acquire observation images and display them on the capture screen 100 (see Figure 4).

[0052] Subsequently, alignment is performed automatically or manually (S3). Based on the observation image of the anterior segment displayed in the second region 120, the position of the imaging unit 2 relative to the eye E under examination is adjusted. In adjusting the position of the imaging unit 2, alignment indicators may be projected onto the cornea of ​​the eye under examination, and the indicator image reflected in the anterior segment observation image may be used (for details, see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-195874 by the present applicant). As a result of the alignment, in the XY direction, the optical axes of the OCT optical system 10 and the first observation optical system 30 are adjusted to pass through the pupil. As a result, the observation image of the fundus acquired via the first observation optical system 30 is displayed in the first region 110. In the Z direction, the working distance from the eye E under examination to the imaging unit 2 is adjusted to a predetermined value (tolerance range).

[0053] Once alignment is complete, the control unit 70 controls the OCT optical system 10 to start acquiring OCT data of the eye E being examined.

[0054] In this embodiment, after alignment is complete, the examiner operates the optimize button 170 to perform adjustment processing of the OCT optical system 10 (S4). In the adjustment processing of this embodiment, as an example, the optical path length difference, focus, and polarization are each adjusted. By adjusting the optical path length difference according to the axial length of the eye under examination, a tomographic image of the fundus is displayed in the third region 130. By adjusting the focus and polarization, it becomes possible to acquire tomographic images with good image quality.

[0055] In this embodiment, a graphic indicating the scan position (scan line) (hereinafter referred to as scan line SL) is superimposed on the fundus observation image of the first region 110. The scan line SL is superimposed on the scan position corresponding to the selected scan setting (scan pattern). In this embodiment, it may be possible to input an operation to move the position of scan line SL on the first region 110, and the scan position on the fundus may be changed based on this operation. As an operation to move the position of scan line SL, any of the following may be used: translation of scan line SL, rotation, movement of the endpoint, or movement of the intersection (of multiple scan lines).

[0056] The presentation position of the fixation target may be changeable via the fundus observation image of the first region 110. For example, if the examiner selects a point on the fundus observation image, the presentation position of the fixation target may be controlled so that the point is located at the center of the image in the first region 110.

[0057] When the capture button 180 is operated, an OCT image is taken at a pre-set scan position (S5). The acquisition result may be displayed on the monitor 80 each time the examiner is asked to confirm it. If the acquisition is successful, it is saved to the memory 72; if it fails, the acquisition may be repeated.

[0058] In this embodiment, if imaging has not been completed for any of the scan settings shown in List 150, the process returns to S1 and continues. At this time, the scan pattern combination is carried over, and one of the scan settings shown in List 150 that was used before imaging may be automatically selected as the next scan setting. On the other hand, in this embodiment, if imaging has been completed for all of the scan settings shown in List 150, the series of imaging operations ends (S6: imaging complete).

[0059] <Anterior segment mode> The anterior segment mode will now be described. When the scan setting for fundus photography is selected, the control unit 70 sets the device's imaging mode to the anterior segment mode (S2: anterior segment mode). In this case, the examiner wears the anterior segment attachment 65. In the anterior segment mode of this embodiment, the position of the focus lens 14 in the OCT optical system 10 and the difference in optical path length between the measurement light and the reference light (position of the mirror not shown in the reference optical system 20) are adjusted to predetermined positions. The same applies to the position of the focus lens 34 in the first observation optical system 30. Subsequently, in the anterior segment mode, the movement of the position of the focus lens 14 in the OCT optical system 10, the difference in optical path length between the measurement light and the reference light, and the position of the focus lens 34 in the first observation optical system 30 is restricted. For further details, please refer to, for example, "Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-147609" by the present applicant.

[0060] In anterior segment mode, the control unit 70 controls the first observation optical system 30 to acquire a frontal image of the anterior segment as an observation image and display it on the capture screen 100 (see Figure 5). The control unit 70 also controls the OCT optical system 10 to start acquiring OCT data. The OCT data acquired as it is received is displayed in the third region 130.

[0061] On the other hand, in anterior segment mode, the second observation optical system 40 does not focus on the anterior segment. If an anterior segment frontal image that is not in focus on the second region 120 is displayed in anterior segment mode, the examiner may mistakenly believe that the position of the imaging unit 2 relative to the eye E is inappropriate, even if it has been properly adjusted. Therefore, the control unit 70 controls the second observation optical system 40 and the anterior segment illumination, and further controls the display for the second region 120, so as not to acquire a second observation image via the second observation optical system 40.

[0062] Subsequently, alignment is performed automatically or manually (S7). Based on the observational image of the anterior segment displayed in the first region 110, the position of the imaging unit 2 relative to the eye E under examination is adjusted.

[0063] Here, we illustrate a manual alignment method. The system accepts input for moving the imaging unit 2 via the first region 110 (and the observation image of the anterior segment displayed in the first region 110). For example, in the XY direction, when a position is specified on the observation image of the anterior segment via a pointing device, the imaging unit 2 moves relative to the eye E under examination so that the tissue of the anterior segment displayed at the specified position is displayed at a predetermined position within the first region 110.

[0064] In this embodiment, the predetermined position within the first region 110 is assumed to be the center of the first region 110. However, it is not necessarily limited to this, and other positions can be appropriately adopted as the predetermined position.

[0065] With respect to the Z direction, first, the imaging unit 2 is roughly moved in the direction in which the observed image displayed in the first region 110 is in focus, while referring to the observed image. As a result of the movement, once the OCT data of the anterior segment is depicted in the third region 130, the position of the imaging unit 2 is adjusted in the Z direction so that an image of the desired depth region in the anterior segment is depicted in the third region 130.

[0066] To move the imaging unit 2 in the Z direction, the control unit 70 requires a different operation than the operation required to move the imaging unit 2 in the XY direction. For example, in Figures 4 and 5, the imaging unit 2 is moved in the Z direction by operating the forward and backward movement buttons 190a and 190b. The forward and backward movement buttons 190a and 190b are two buttons corresponding to forward and backward movement, respectively. The control unit 70 continuously moves the imaging unit 2 in the direction corresponding to the pressed button. In this case, the amount of movement of the imaging unit 2 is proportional to the button press time. However, the operation required to move the imaging unit 2 in the Z direction is not necessarily limited to this, and various other operations can be used in combination or as substitutes. For example, if a mouse is used as the pointing device, the mouse wheel operation may be used. In this case, when the cursor C (pointer) on the imaging screen 100 is positioned in the first area 110, the control unit 70 may move the imaging unit 2 in the Z direction when the wheel operation is input. The amount of movement of the imaging unit 2 may be determined according to the amount of wheel operation. Also, if the monitor 80 is a touch panel display, pinch-in / pinch-out on the first area 110 may be used.

[0067] In this embodiment, the anterior segment mode is shorter than the fundus mode as a result of the attachment of the anterior segment attachment 65. In contrast, the drive unit 5 may be controlled so that the movement speed of the imaging unit 3 in the anterior segment mode is slower than that in the fundus mode. Also, if the amount of movement of the imaging unit 3 is determined according to the input amount (operation amount), as in the operation for movement in the Z direction in this embodiment, the drive unit 5 may be controlled so that the amount of movement in the anterior segment mode relative to the input amount (operation amount) is smaller than that in the fundus mode.

[0068] Thus, in anterior segment mode, the position of the imaging unit 2 relative to the eye E can be confirmed via the first region 110, and operations to move the imaging unit 2 can be input, making it easier for the examiner to adjust the position of the imaging unit 2 in anterior segment mode. In addition, although the second observation optical system 40 will not be in focus in anterior segment mode, the display of the anterior segment frontal image in the second region 120 will not be performed in anterior segment mode, so the examiner is less likely to misunderstand the adjustment status of the position of the imaging unit 2 relative to the eye E.

[0069] In this embodiment, a graphic indicating the scan position (scan line) (hereinafter referred to as scan line SL) is superimposed on the anterior segment observation image of the first region 110. It may be possible to input an operation to move the position of scan line SL on the first region 110, and the scan position on the anterior segment may be changed based on this operation.

[0070] After the desired scan position is set, the anterior segment OCT image is acquired by operating the capture button 180 (S8).

[0071] <Variation> Although the present disclosure has been described above based on embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

[0072] For example, in the above embodiment, as an example of a means for changing the imaging area in the OCT optical system 10 and the first observation optical system 30 between the fundus and the anterior segment of the eye E under examination, an example of attaching and detaching an anterior segment attachment 65 (and attachment lens 65a) and switching the objective optical system was illustrated. However, the means for changing the imaging area is not necessarily limited to switching the objective optical system. For example, the imaging area in the OCT optical system and the first observation optical system may be changed by at least changing the distance between the eye under examination and the imaging unit, without changing the objective optical system, between imaging the fundus and imaging the anterior segment. For example, when imaging the fundus, the imaging area can be changed to the anterior segment by moving the imaging unit away from the eye under examination. In this case, the means for changing the imaging area may be, for example, a drive unit that moves the imaging unit, or a mechanism that changes the position of a face support unit (not shown) that supports the face of the subject. Since changing the distance between the eye under examination and the imaging unit makes it difficult to acquire a suitable observation image via the second observation optical system, as in the above embodiment, operational input and control via the first region when acquiring anterior segment OCT is useful.

[0073] Furthermore, for example, when acquiring an OCT of the anterior segment, the system may accept operations to adjust the position of the imaging unit 2 relative to the eye E being examined via the OCT image of the anterior segment displayed in the third display area 130. For example, if a position is specified on the tomographic image via a pointing device, the imaging unit 2 may move relative to the eye E being examined so that the tissue of the anterior segment displayed at the specified position is displayed at a predetermined position within the first area 110 of the third area 130. In this case, the OCT image of the anterior segment may be moved in the direction along the scan line (transverse direction) or in the depth direction.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, by attaching the anterior segment attachment 60, the anterior segment is imaged by an optical system that is approximately telecentric towards the object. Therefore, even if the positional relationship between the eye E and the imaging unit 2 in the XY direction changes, the tilt of the OCT image does not change significantly. However, if the optical system is not telecentric towards the object when acquiring the OCT of the anterior segment, the tilt of the OCT image will change even if the positional relationship between the eye E and the imaging unit 2 in the XY direction changes. For example, an operation input may be accepted to change the tilt of the OCT image of the anterior segment displayed in the third display area 130, and the position of the imaging unit 2 in the XY direction may be controlled according to the operation input. For example, if a touch panel display is used as the operation unit 85, the target tilt may be input as the amount of rotation by touching and rotating two points on the OCT image.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control unit 70 may detect the corneal vertex in the first observation image acquired in anterior segment mode. The corneal vertex may be detected, for example, based on a corneal reflection image generated in the first observation image. The corneal reflection image may be generated, for example, by the reflection of observation light by the corneal vertex. The control unit 70 may perform guidance processing to guide the detected corneal vertex to a predetermined position. In the guidance processing, for example, a graphic prompting operation input to move the corneal vertex to a predetermined position may be displayed on the first observation image. The form of the graphic can be appropriately set according to the operation input and the content of the drive control for the operation input. For example, if a position is specified on the observation image of the anterior segment, and the imaging unit 2 is moved relative to the eye E under examination so that the anterior segment tissue displayed at the specified position is displayed at a predetermined position within the first region 110, then, for example, an electronic index may be merged with the detected corneal vertex and displayed on the first observation image. This makes it easier to accurately specify the corneal vertex on the observation image of the anterior segment. The shape of the electronic index can be appropriately selected.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, if the working distance becomes shorter than that of the fundus mode as a result of the attachment of the anterior segment attachment 65, the movement of the imaging unit 2 toward the eye under examination E may be restricted based on the OCT image of the anterior segment in the third region. In this case, for example, the control unit 70 may control the drive unit 5 so that the imaging unit 2 does not approach the eye under examination E any further if an image of the anterior segment is generated in a region on the zero-delay side of a predetermined threshold in the OCT image. Alternatively, the control unit 70 may detect whether an image of a specific tissue of the anterior segment located on the fundus side of the cornea is generated in the OCT image, and if an image of a specific tissue is generated, the drive unit 5 may be controlled so that the imaging unit 2 does not approach the eye under examination E any further. The specific tissue may be, for example, the lens, iris, iridocorneal angle, etc., or any other tissue. Moreover, it is not necessarily limited to this, and if the distance between the eye under examination and the imaging unit 2 can be detected by other means, the imaging unit 2 may be prevented from approaching the eye under examination more than necessary based on the detected distance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 OCT device 2 shooting units 5 Drive Unit 10 OCT optical system 30 Observation Optical System 70 Control Unit 110 1st area

Claims

1. An OCT optical system that irradiates the imaging area of ​​the eye under examination with measurement light and detects the spectral interference signal between the measurement light and the reference light, An observation optical system for irradiating the aforementioned imaging area with observation light and acquiring a frontal image of the observation area based on the reflected light of the observation light from the observation area, A means for changing the imaging area in the OCT optical system and the observation optical system between the fundus and anterior segment of the eye under examination, A drive unit for moving the imaging unit, which includes the OCT optical system and the observation optical system, relative to the eye being examined, It comprises a control unit and, When the anterior segment of the eye under examination is the imaging area, the control unit displays the frontal images of the anterior segment acquired sequentially via the observation optical system in a first region on the screen, and receives operation inputs for controlling the drive unit via the first region. When the fundus of the eye under examination is the imaging site, the control unit displays a frontal image of the fundus acquired sequentially via the observation optical system in the first area, and receives an operation input via the first area to change the scan position on the fundus in the XY direction.

2. The OCT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the anterior segment of the eye to be examined is the imaging site, the control unit receives an operation input via a pointing device to specify a position on the frontal image of the anterior segment in the first region, and moves the imaging unit in the XY direction relative to the eye to be examined so that the tissue of the anterior segment displayed at the specified position is displayed at a predetermined position within the first region.

3. A second observation optical system, different from the aforementioned observation optical system, comprising a second observation optical system for observing the anterior segment of the eye under examination when the fundus of the eye under examination is the imaging site, The OCT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the fundus of the eye to be examined is the imaging site, the control unit causes the frontal image of the anterior segment acquired sequentially via the second observation optical system to be displayed as the second observation image in the second region.

4. On the aforementioned screen, a third region is arranged together with the first region. The OCT apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays a live image in the third region, which is an OCT image of the eye under examination acquired sequentially via the OCT optical system.

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