Adaptive DMD Illumination for Small-Pupil Fundus Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fundus imaging techniques are limited by pupil size variations and misalignment, leading to reduced image quality and inability to image patients with small pupils, and existing methods like polarization and anti-reflective coatings are fixed and ineffective for varying pupil sizes.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a digital micromirror device (DMD) to project adaptable illumination patterns, dynamically adjusting to patient-specific pupil sizes and compensating for misalignment in real-time, allowing for precise fundus imaging by avoiding non-target eye portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed illumination methods (polarization, anti-reflective coatings) are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying pupil sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by using a digital micromirror device (DMD) to project illumination patterns that can be dynamically adjusted to match the patient's pupil size and position. The system captures pupil images, determines optimal illumination parameters, and adjusts the illumination pattern in real-time, transforming a static illumination system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying pupil conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes illumination parameters (pattern, position, intensity) based on detected pupil characteristics. By measuring pupil size and position, the system modifies illumination parameters to optimize imaging conditions for each patient, enabling adaptability without requiring complex hardware changes.
2Measurement precision
If illumination patterns are projected without adaptive adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to misalignment and small pupils
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary pupil imaging and analysis before fundus imaging to determine the optimal illumination pattern. By capturing the pupil image first and calculating the appropriate illumination parameters in advance, the system ensures high image quality without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the actual fundus imaging process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pupil images to adjust illumination patterns. The pupil imaging device provides information about pupil size and position, which feeds back to the illumination control system to optimize the illumination pattern for subsequent fundus imaging, ensuring high measurement precision.
3Reliability
If fixed illumination patterns are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to handle small pupils and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by using a single DMD-based illumination system that can handle various pupil sizes and positions. The same hardware configuration can adapt to different patient conditions (small pupils, large pupils, misaligned pupils) by adjusting the illumination pattern, providing reliable imaging across diverse scenarios without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-quality fundus imaging in patients with small pupils by minimizing stray reflections and artifacts, improving image clarity and clinical suitability.
Implementation Method 1
projecting an illumination pattern onto the subject's eye using the DMD
Implementation Method 2
capturing an image of a pupil of the subject's eye using the pupil imaging device
Implementation Method 3
capturing an image of the fundus of the subject's eye using the fundus imaging device
Data Source
AI summary
Some aspects relate to techniques for imaging a fundus of a subject's eye using an apparatus comprising a digital micromirror device (DMD), a pupil imaging device, and a fundus imaging device. In some embodiments, the techniques include: projecting an illumination pattern onto the subject's eye using the DMD; after projecting the illumination pattern onto the subject's eye, capturing an image of a pupil of the subject's eye using the pupil imaging device; determining, based on the image of the pupil, whether the illumination pattern was projected onto a portion of the subject's eye that is excluded from a target portion of the subject's eye; and after determining that the illumination pattern was not projected onto the portion of the subject's eye that is excluded from the target portion of the subject's eye, capturing an image of the fundus of the subject's eye using the fundus imaging device.