Corneal Endothelial Cell Imaging Multi-Region Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional corneal endothelial cell photographing apparatuses have limitations in obtaining reliable analysis results due to the large swing angle of peripheral sight fixation lights, leading to reduced accuracy in evaluating endothelial cell numbers near the center, especially in diseased eyes where the number of detectable cells is low.
Innovation Solution
A corneal endothelial cell photographing apparatus with an optical system that includes an illumination optical system, an imaging optical system, and a fixation optical system, allowing for preliminary setting of illumination positions and orders of fixation lamps, and a controller that adjusts the illumination and imaging based on alignment detection, enabling the capture of endothelial images at multiple positions and integrating analysis results for enhanced reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If peripheral sight fixation lights are disposed with a large swing angle (25° to 30°) to expand the photographing range, then the photographing position can be changed to obtain endothelial cell images at peripheral positions, but the accuracy of evaluating endothelial cell numbers near the center is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The corneal endothelium is divided into multiple regions (central region and peripheral regions), and endothelial cell images are separately captured from each region using multiple fixation lights. The central region images are used for accurate evaluation of endothelial cell numbers, while peripheral region images provide additional information about the overall endothelial status without interfering with the central measurement accuracy.
2Reliability
If multiple endothelial cell images are captured at different positions to improve analysis reliability, then the evaluation accuracy is enhanced, but the device complexity and operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The photographing apparatus is designed with multiple fixation lights that serve dual purposes: they enable capture of both central and peripheral endothelial cell images, and the same hardware system processes and integrates data from all regions. This multi-functional design allows reliable analysis without requiring separate dedicated devices for different measurement tasks.
3Reliability
If multiple endothelial cell images are captured and integrated to improve analysis reliability, then the evaluation accuracy is enhanced, but the time required for image capture and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The photographing apparatus continuously captures endothelial cell images from multiple regions in sequence without interruption. The controller integrates data from central and peripheral regions in real-time, providing continuous monitoring of endothelial cell status. This continuous action approach reduces total examination time compared to separate sequential examinations while maintaining high reliability through multi-region data integration.
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 apparatus provides a highly reliable processing result by capturing and analyzing endothelial cell images at multiple positions, improving the accuracy of endothelial cell analysis, especially in cases where the number of detectable cells is low, such as in diseased eyes.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus irradiates the cornea of the examinee's eye with illuminating light, and receives reflected light from the endothelial cells in the cornea
Data Source
AI summary
A corneal endothelial cell photographing apparatus for photographing an endothelial cell in the cornea of the examinee's eye includes an optical system, an image processor, and a display controller. The optical system includes an illuminating optical system for irradiating the cornea with illuminating light, and a light receiving optical system including a light detector and configured to receive reflected light from the cornea including the endothelial cell. The image processor analyzes each of endothelial cell images photographed at different positions on the cornea, and acquires an integrated analysis result by integrating the result of analysis of each of the endothelial cell images. The display controller displays the endothelial cell images simultaneously on a monitor with reference to an endothelial cell image photographed at a central portion of the cornea, and displays the integrated analysis result on the same screen as for the endothelial cell images.