Fundus Vortex Vein Mapping for Follow-Up Position Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a desire for effective follow-up observations of vortex vein positions in fundus images, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

An image processing method and device that identify the positions of vortex veins in multiple fundus images and generate a vortex vein map by analyzing choroidal vascular images, using techniques such as black hat filtering, in-painting, and contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization to enhance choroidal blood vessels, and computing relative positions with respect to the optic nerve head and macular.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple fundus images are manually analyzed to track vortex vein positions, then follow-up observations can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of follow-up observationVSAvoidtime required for manual analysis

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies vortex vein positions and generates follow-up observation data without requiring manual intervention. The processor autonomously performs image analysis, position identification, and map generation, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminating dependence on manual processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis with automated image processing algorithms. The processor uses computational methods to identify vortex vein positions and generate follow-up observation maps, substituting human manual work with automated mechanical processing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated image processing is used to identify vortex vein positions, then processing efficiency is improved, but measurement precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidaccuracy of vortex vein position identification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system generates vortex vein maps that visually display identified positions, providing feedback that can be used to verify accuracy. The automated processing results are presented in a format that allows for validation and adjustment, ensuring measurement precision while maintaining high processing speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates visual copies of the fundus images with overlaid vortex vein position markers and generates map representations. These copies allow for verification of the automated identification accuracy without requiring re-processing of the original images, maintaining both speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If detailed image processing techniques are applied to enhance choroidal blood vessels, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of vortex veinsVSAvoidcomplexity of image processing system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image processing is divided into distinct functional segments: choroidal blood vessel enhancement, vortex vein identification, position calculation, and map generation. Each segment performs a specific function, making the overall complex system manageable and maintainable while achieving high detection accuracy through specialized processing at each stage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12518420B2Image processing method, image processing device, and program for vortex vein detection in fundus images

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 NIKON CORP

AI summary

A processor identifies a first position of a vortex vein from a first fundus image, identifies a second position of the vortex vein from a second fundus image, and generates data of a screen to display the first position and the second position.