Fundus Oculi Device Automatic Position Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fundus oculi observing devices require manual operation for position matching, leading to prolonged examination times and reduced reproducibility due to operator variability.

Innovation Solution

A fundus oculi observing device with a controller that automatically adjusts the target position of the signal light to center characteristic sites within a frame, using a scanner to replicate scanning trajectories and form tomographic images, and a specifying part to determine and adjust the position of characteristic sites such as the macula center or optical papilla center.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation is used for position matching, then the device can be operated with simple controls, but the examination time is prolonged and reproducibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual position matching operationVSAvoidexamination time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically performs position matching by detecting the characteristic site (macula center or optic disc center) in the fundus image and autonomously adjusting the scanner coordinates to center the target region. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual operation, thereby reducing examination time while maintaining ease of use through automated functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the position of characteristic sites in real-time during scanning and provides feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the scanner coordinates to maintain proper positioning, enabling dynamic correction without manual intervention and significantly reducing examination time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If manual operation is used for position matching, then the device structure can be simpler, but reproducibility is reduced due to operator variability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidreproducibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The automated position matching system performs consistent positioning operations without human intervention, eliminating operator variability. The device independently detects characteristic sites and adjusts coordinates according to predetermined algorithms, ensuring high reproducibility across different examinations and operators while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical positioning operations with automated computational methods. The control unit uses image processing algorithms to detect characteristic sites and calculate coordinate adjustments, substituting human judgment and manual manipulation with automated electronic control, thereby improving reproducibility without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of time

If automated position matching is implemented, then examination time is shortened, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexamination timeVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs multiple functions including image processing, characteristic site detection, coordinate calculation, and scanner control within a single integrated system. By making the control unit multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated devices for each function, thereby shortening examination time while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the position matching functionality with the existing scanning and imaging systems. The characteristic site detection and coordinate adjustment features are integrated into the current device architecture, merging multiple functions into a unified system rather than adding separate components, thus reducing the impact on device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If automated position matching is implemented, then reproducibility is increased, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereproducibilityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual positioning operations with automated image processing and coordinate calculation algorithms. By using computational methods to detect characteristic sites and determine scanner coordinates, the patent achieves high reproducibility without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs autonomous position matching by independently detecting characteristic sites and adjusting coordinates without human intervention. This self-service capability ensures consistent, reproducible results across different examinations while maintaining relatively simple device structure, as the automation is achieved through software-based solutions rather than additional hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 automation significantly shortens examination time and increases reproducibility by ensuring consistent positioning of characteristic sites, even in the presence of eye movement, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

superpose the reflected light and the reference light on each other to generate the interference light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP2277436B1Eyeground observing device
Publication Date: 2014.05.07 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP2277436B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2277436B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2277436B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fundus oculi observing device 1 specifies a characteristic site of a fundus oculi Ef depicted in tomographic images of the fundus oculi Ef and, based on the position of the characteristic site within frames FH and FV of the tomographic images, changes a target position of a signal light LS so that the characteristic site is depicted in the center positions within the frames FH and FV and executes a main measurement, thereby forming a tomographic image and/or a three-dimensional image of the fundus oculi Ef.