Fundus Image Capture System Alignment Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capturing high-quality fundus images is challenging due to misalignment and movement issues with existing ophthalmoscope devices, particularly for unskilled users, leading to inferior image quality and difficulty in accurately positioning the device over the eye's pupil.
Innovation Solution
A fundus image capture system that uses a processor and image capture device to apply a mask to the image, identify the centroid of the retina's contour, and generate guide information to assist users in aligning the device correctly, ensuring accurate capture of the region of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hand-held or headband-mounted ophthalmoscope is used to capture fundus images, then the device portability and ease of use are improved, but misalignment between the device and the eye occurs leading to inferior image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the pupil position and calculating alignment guidance before the actual image capture. The processor detects the pupil in the captured image, determines the optical axis direction, and provides alignment guidance to the user before the fundus image is properly captured, ensuring correct positioning in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by providing alignment guidance information back to the user based on the detected pupil position and calculated optical axis. The display unit shows alignment guidance to the user, who can then adjust the device position accordingly, creating a closed-loop feedback system that improves alignment accuracy
2Device complexity
If the user manually positions the device over the eye without guidance, then the device complexity is reduced, but mislocation of the eye fundus occurs producing inferior quality images
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary element - the alignment guidance display - that mediates between the simple hand-held device and the precise positioning requirement. The processor acts as an intermediary that processes the captured image to detect the pupil and calculate the correct positioning, then provides this information through the display without complicating the physical device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting the pupil position and calculating alignment guidance without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The processor automatically processes each captured image to determine pupil location and provides corresponding alignment guidance, allowing the device to serve itself in achieving precise positioning
3Productivity
If the device is worn by a user to capture images, then continuous image capture capability is improved, but unwanted movement of the device against the eye causes mislocation of the eye fundus
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the pupil position and calculation of alignment guidance before each image capture attempt. Even during continuous capture mode, the processor detects the pupil in each captured image and determines alignment status before the next capture, ensuring proper positioning is re-established after any movement occurs
Data Source
AI summary
A fundus image capture system operates to determine if the system has captured an image that identifies the fundus, a region of interest in the image, or the current field of view. According to the determination, the system can guide the user to operate the system to capture a desired fundus image.