Fundus Tomography Reference Mirror Auto-Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical image-measuring devices for observing the fundus oculi require manual adjustment of the reference object and scanning positions, leading to increased examination time and cumbersome tasks when repeatedly observing the same eye, especially after surgery or treatment.

Innovation Solution

An optical image-measuring device with a storing means to record the position information of the reference object and a driving means to automatically shift the reference object based on stored data, eliminating the need for manual positioning and reducing examination time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual adjustment of reference object and scanning positions is performed, then measurement precision can be ensured, but examination time increases and operation becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidexamination time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system stores reference object position information and scanning position information from previous examinations. Before a new examination, the driving means automatically shifts the reference object to the stored position, and the scanning means is configured to scan from the stored scanning position, eliminating the need for manual re-positioning and reducing examination time while maintaining positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own stored position information to automatically configure itself for the next examination. The storing means saves position data, and the driving means and scanning means use this data to self-configure, eliminating the need for external manual adjustment and reducing operation complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual adjustment of reference object and scanning positions is performed, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically retrieves stored reference object position information and scanning position information, and self-configures the reference object position and scanning start position without requiring operator intervention. This maintains positioning accuracy while dramatically simplifying the operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment system with an automated system using driving means and scanning means controlled by stored position information. This substitution eliminates cumbersome manual operations while maintaining precise positioning through automated control

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

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

Automatically sets the reference object position and scanning parameters, significantly reducing examination time and eliminating the need for manual adjustments, thereby simplifying the observation process.

Implementation Method 1

generating an interference light by superimposing said signal light passing through said fundus oculi and said reference light passing through said reference object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP1808120B1An optical image-measuring device
Publication Date: 2012.05.23 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP1808120B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1808120B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1808120B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides an optical image-measuring device that avoids long examination time and reduces some troublesome tasks. A fundus observation device 1 (optical image-measuring device) splits light that is output from a low-coherence light source 160 into a signal light LS directed toward the fundus oculi Ef and a reference light LR directed toward a reference mirror 174, and detects interference light LC that is generated by superimposing the signal light LS passing through the fundus oculi Ef and the reference light LR passing through the reference mirror 174 using a spectrometer 180 to form tomographic images of the fundus oculi Ef. Furthermore, the device comprises a reference mirror drive mechanism 243 shifting the reference mirror 174 toward the optical path direction of the reference light LR and a information storage part 225 storing the reference mirror 174 position information based on previous tomographic images. The controlling part 210 controls the reference mirror drive mechanism 243 so that the reference mirror 174 shifts into a position based on reference mirror position information related to the eye to be examined E that is stored in the information storage part 225.