Fundus Camera Alignment Control via OCT Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fundus photographing apparatuses face challenges in accurately performing optimization control due to inappropriate alignment states and movement of the examinee's eye, leading to photography variations and increased burden on examiners.
Innovation Solution
A fundus photographing apparatus equipped with an optical coherence tomography system, a detection unit for aligning the apparatus with the eye, and a controller that performs adjustments such as optical path length and focus adjustments based on detected alignment states, ensuring accurate alignment and minimizing photography variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optimization control is performed without accurate alignment detection, then the photography process can be started, but the optimization control cannot be accurately performed leading to photography variations
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit performs alignment state detection before optimization control is initiated. The controller checks whether the alignment state meets predetermined conditions before allowing optimization control to proceed, ensuring that accurate alignment is established in advance to prevent photography variations
Solution Approach 2:
The detection unit continuously monitors the alignment state during the photography process and provides feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the relative positional relationship based on this feedback to maintain accurate alignment throughout optimization control and photography
2Ease of operation
If manual alignment adjustment is performed by the examiner, then the apparatus can be positioned, but the examinee's eye movement causes loss of alignment state and photography variation
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit automatically detects the alignment state without requiring continuous manual intervention. The controller automatically adjusts the apparatus position based on detection results, enabling the system to self-correct alignment deviations caused by eye movement and maintain stable alignment throughout the photography process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment adjustment with an automated detection and control system. The detection unit uses optical or sensor-based detection to monitor alignment, and the controller uses automated mechanisms to maintain positioning, eliminating the need for continuous manual adjustment despite eye movement
3Productivity
If optimization control is attempted in inappropriate alignment states, then the process can be initiated, but the success rate decreases and examiner burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller verifies that the alignment state meets predetermined conditions before initiating optimization control. This preliminary check prevents initiation of optimization control in inappropriate alignment states, ensuring high success rate while simplifying the overall control process by avoiding failed attempts
Solution Approach 2:
The detection unit provides continuous feedback on alignment state to the controller. The controller monitors this feedback and only permits optimization control when alignment conditions are satisfied, automatically managing the complexity by making the process condition-dependent rather than requiring complex manual judgment
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 enables easy and consistent photography with reduced variations, improving the success rate of optimization control and decreasing the examiner's workload by maintaining accurate alignment and adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a tomographic image of the fundus of an examinee's eye by detecting an interference state between measurement light from the fundus of the examinee's eye and reference light
Data Source
AI summary
A fundus photographing apparatus includes a measurement unit including an optical coherence tomography system for obtaining a tomographic image of the fundus of an examinee's eye by detecting an interference state between measurement light from the fundus of the examinee's eye and reference light, a detection unit for detecting an alignment state perceived as a relative positional relationship between the measurement unit and the examinee's eye, and a controller for adjusting the optical coherence tomography system with respect to the fundus of the examinee's eye based on a detection result from the detection unit. The adjustment of the optical coherence tomography system includes at least one of an optical path length adjustment, which adjusts an optical path length difference between the measurement light and the reference light, and a focus adjustment.