Corneal Confocal Microscope Illumination System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current confocal microscopes face challenges in maintaining accurate volumetric image reconstruction due to eye movement and flickering light, leading to motion artifacts and potential corneal scratches during eye examinations, which limits the quality of diagnostic imaging and patient comfort.
Innovation Solution
A novel confocal microscope illumination system utilizing a drilled mirror that projects a cone of light onto the cornea, reducing light reflection and vignetting, combined with an optical low coherence reflectometry distance meter for precise alignment and an internal fixation target to stabilize patient fixation, allowing for accurate and comfortable imaging without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a typical confocal microscope uses scanning light illumination, then it can achieve confocal imaging capability, but the flickering light causes difficulty for patients to maintain stable fixation and creates motion artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination is divided into multiple independent LED sources arranged in a circular pattern, allowing selective activation of specific illumination zones. This segmentation enables the system to provide stable fixation light while maintaining confocal imaging capability, as each LED can be independently controlled to avoid flickering in the fixation region.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the illumination system have different properties: the fixation light region provides stable, non-flickering illumination for patient fixation, while the confocal imaging regions use scanned illumination for high-resolution imaging. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region's illumination characteristics for its specific function.
2Measurement precision
If an applanating device like Z-ring is used to stabilize the eye, then motion artifacts are reduced, but the procedure becomes invasive and may cause corneal scratches
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical applanating device (Z-ring) is replaced with an optical solution using LED illumination and confocal scanning. Instead of physically stabilizing the eye mechanically, the system uses optical methods to achieve stable imaging without contact, thereby eliminating the risk of corneal scratches while maintaining image accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The confocal microscope system acts as an intermediary that achieves eye stabilization indirectly through optical means rather than direct mechanical contact. The scanned illumination and image acquisition process inherently compensates for eye motion, providing stability without requiring invasive applanating devices.
3Area of stationary object
If the illumination slit is moved synchronously with the imaging slit to scan tissue, then a full field of view image is created, but the scan time increases and patient comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The circular illumination is divided into multiple independent LED segments that can be activated simultaneously at different positions. This allows the system to illuminate the entire field of view at once rather than scanning sequentially, dramatically reducing scan time while maintaining comprehensive coverage. The confocal scanning is performed only for image acquisition, not for illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination is prepared in advance by positioning multiple LED sources at predetermined locations around the circle. When imaging is required, the appropriate LEDs are activated immediately without needing to scan through all positions, as the illumination configuration is pre-established for the desired field of view.
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
The system achieves improved image contrast and reduced motion artifacts, enabling accurate volumetric reconstruction and increased patient comfort by minimizing light reflection and allowing for non-invasive, precise alignment and imaging of the cornea.
Implementation Method 1
The light coming from the illumination path passes through the light cone outer region while the light back scattered by the corneal layers is collected through the light cone inner region
Implementation Method 2
an optical low coherence reflectometry distance meter for precise alignment
Implementation Method 3
A novel confocal microscope illumination system utilizing a drilled mirror that projects a cone of light onto the cornea, reducing light reflection and vignetting
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 1E
Figure 2
AI summary
A corneal confocal microscope characterized by a particular illumination system.