Endothelium Reflection Microscope with Digital Sensor Focusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-contact endothelium microscopes are complex and costly due to the placement of focusing detection photo-detectors in a supplementary reflected optical path, which affects reliability and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating an endothelium reflection microscope that uses a digital optical sensor and a CPU controller to automatically center the optical head along Cartesian directions, eliminating the need for sensors in the reflected optical path and enhancing image acquisition through grey level thresholding and delay time control for high-quality image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If photo-detectors are placed in a supplementary reflected optical path for focusing detection, then focusing accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the photo-detector from the reflected optical path entirely, extracting the focusing detection function from the complex supplementary path and replacing it with a simpler digital sensor-based system that achieves the same focusing accuracy without the additional complexity of separate photo-detectors and supplementary optical paths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical focusing detection system (photo-detectors in reflected paths) with a digital processing system (CPU controller analyzing grey levels from digital sensor images), substituting physical measurement mechanisms with electronic image analysis to reduce hardware complexity
2Measurement precision
If photo-detectors and supplementary optical paths are used for focusing detection, then focusing control is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the photo-detector and supplementary optical path components, the patent eliminates potential failure points in those subsystems, thereby improving overall system reliability while maintaining focusing control through the simplified digital sensor and CPU-based detection method
Solution Approach 2:
The digital optical sensor system performs focusing detection as an integrated function of its primary imaging operation, eliminating the need for separate focusing detection subsystems and their associated reliability risks, thus achieving self-contained reliable operation
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional optical systems with multiple components are used, then image quality is maintained, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the focusing detection function with the primary imaging function by using a single digital optical sensor for both purposes, eliminating the need for separate photo-detectors and supplementary optical paths, thereby reducing component count and cost while maintaining image quality through integrated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The digital optical sensor serves multiple functions: primary imaging and focusing detection, replacing what would traditionally require separate dedicated components, thus reducing overall device complexity and cost while maintaining the required image quality for endothelium examination
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
This approach reduces the complexity and cost of the apparatus, achieving higher quality endothelium images while improving reliability and flexibility, allowing for automatic operation with minimal user assistance and reduced electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
reflection microscope... visualization of a selected structure in relation to its ability to reflect an incident ray of light used for illumination
Implementation Method 2
camera comprising a digital optical sensor... resulting reflected light spot is received and imaged by the camera
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for operating an endothelium reflection microscope. The apparatus includes an optical head, which comprises: (i) an illuminating system, (ii) a frontal eye observation optical system along a central channel in which an alignment-use light spot is received and imaged by a camera having a digital optical sensor, and (iii) an enlarged-imaging optical system for enlarged observation or photographing of the subject part by the digital camera. The apparatus further comprises a motor for operating the optical head, and a CPU controller for automatically controlling the motor, the illuminating system and the frontal eye observation optical system. The method comprises an endothelium image acquisition procedure in which the grey level inside a check area of the camera sensor is checked constantly during advancement along the Z-axis; when the grey level reaches a predetermined threshold value, a delay time (Δt) is triggered; and when the delay time (Δt) lapses, acquisition by the digital camera of one or more images of the endothelium is enabled.