Eye Diagnosis Apparatus for Automated Tomogram Parameter Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-ophthalmologists face challenges in setting proper imaging parameters for obtaining tomograms, and even with existing techniques, determining the relevant regions for analysis can be difficult, especially when the lesion position on a wide-area image does not coincide with the required tomogram area.

Innovation Solution

A diagnosis support apparatus that includes wide-area image acquisition, lesion candidate detection, parameter determination, and tomogram acquisition means, allowing for automatic detection of lesion candidates and determination of necessary tomographic imaging parameters based on these detections, thereby facilitating efficient tomogram acquisition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual designation of imaging parameters is performed by non-ophthalmologists, then operation simplicity is maintained, but tomogram acquisition accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidimaging parameter accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically analyzing wide-area images to detect lesion candidates and autonomously determining optimal tomogram imaging parameters, eliminating the need for manual parameter setting by operators regardless of their expertise level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical parameter setting with automated image processing and analysis systems that use computer algorithms to detect lesions and determine imaging parameters, substituting human operator actions with automated computational processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If wide-area tomogram acquisition is performed to cover entire eye portion, then diagnostic coverage is improved, but acquisition time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging coverage areaVSAvoidtomogram acquisition time

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and focuses imaging resources only on regions containing lesion candidates detected from wide-area images, acquiring detailed tomograms only where necessary rather than performing exhaustive wide-area tomogram acquisition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of wide-area images to identify lesion candidates before acquiring detailed tomograms, allowing proactive targeting of specific regions of interest and avoiding unnecessary comprehensive tomogram acquisition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2319393B1Eye diagnosis supporting apparatus, method therefor, program, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2019.07.10 CANON KK

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AI summary

There is provided a technique for efficiently acquiring a tomogram of an eye portion. A diagnosis support apparatus includes a wide-area image acquisition means for acquiring a wide-area image of an eye portion, a detection means for detecting a lesion candidate on the eye portion by analyzing the wide-area image acquired by the wide-area image acquisition means, a determination means for determining a parameter associated with acquisition of a tomogram of the eye portion, based on a lesion candidate detection result obtained by the detection means, and a tomogram acquisition means for acquiring a tomogram of the eye portion based on the parameter determined by the determination means.