Fundus Observation Device Synchronization for 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fundus observation devices struggle to simultaneously capture reliable 2-dimensional surface images and tomographic images of the fundus oculi, and the movement of the eye during examination complicates the formation of accurate 3-dimensional images.
Innovation Solution
A fundus observation device combining a fundus camera unit and an OCT unit, with a dichroic mirror to separate and combine optical paths, allowing simultaneous imaging of the fundus surface and tomographic images, and using synchronization and correction mechanisms to account for eye movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fundus camera is used to observe the fundus oculi, then 2-dimensional surface images can be obtained, but tomographic images and 3-dimensional images cannot be captured simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a fundus camera unit and an OCT unit into a single integrated device. The fundus camera captures 2-dimensional surface images while the OCT unit captures tomographic images, enabling simultaneous acquisition of multiple imaging modes that would otherwise require separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions: it can capture 2-dimensional fundus images, tomographic images, and reconstruct 3-dimensional images. This multi-functional capability allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate instruments.
2Ease of operation
If the eye moves during examination, then capturing both 2-dimensional and tomographic images becomes difficult, but using a single device simplifies the examination process
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the captured 2-dimensional fundus images as reference data to detect and correct eye movement. By comparing the positions of anatomical landmarks in the fundus image with the tomographic images, the system can identify displacement caused by eye movement and apply corrective transformations to maintain image accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The 2-dimensional fundus image serves as an intermediary reference that mediates between the moving eye and the tomographic imaging process. This reference image provides stable anatomical landmarks that enable the system to track and compensate for eye movement in real-time.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate devices are used for fundus imaging and OCT imaging, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the examination time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fundus camera unit and OCT unit into a single integrated device with shared optical paths and control systems. This allows both imaging functions to be performed simultaneously or in rapid succession using the same patient positioning and fixation targets, eliminating the need to reposition the patient between examinations.
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
Enables the capture of both 2-dimensional and tomographic images of the fundus oculi simultaneously, and forms highly reliable 3-dimensional images by correcting image positions based on surface images, improving the accuracy of eye examination.
Implementation Method 1
a dichroic mirror to separate and combine optical paths
Implementation Method 2
generating interference light by overlapping the signal light passing through said fundus oculi and the reference light passing through said reference object
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus is provided capable of forming three-dimensional images of the fundus oculi. The image forming part (220) of the computational control unit (200) forms images of the surface of the fundus oculi (Ef) based on results of detecting the fundus oculi catoptric light from the illumination light produced by the fundus camera unit (1A), in addition to forming tomographic images of the fundus oculi (Ef) based on the results of detecting the interference light (LC) from the OCT unit (150). The controlling part (210) synchronizes the timing of detecting the fundus oculi catoptric light from the illumination light produced by the fundus camera unit (1A) with the timing of detecting the interference light (LC) from the OCT unit (150). The correction processing part (240) corrects the image positions of the tomographic images based on the results of detecting the interference light (LC) from the OCT unit (150) on the basis of two-dimensional images based on the results of detecting the fundus oculi catoptric light from the illumination light produced by the fundus camera unit (1A). The image processing part (230) forms three-dimensional images of the fundus oculi (Ef) based on tomographic images for which the image positions have been corrected.