K-Mirror OCT Scanning With FFT-Based Pupil Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic imaging systems are complex and costly, with challenging design constraints due to the need for precise alignment and optical power optimization, particularly in systems like fundus imagers and OCT, which require multiple optical components and scanning mechanisms, complicating their construction and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of a K-mirror as a scanning component in ophthalmic imaging systems, positioned in a non-collimated optical path, allows for simplified rotational and linear scanning, reduces the need for pupil splitting, and enables efficient interferometry through a novel beam splitter configuration, facilitating automated pupil alignment without additional alignment equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional scanning components (galvanometer scanners, prisms) are used in ophthalmic imaging systems, then scanning functionality is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scanning functionality from complex galvanometer scanners and prisms, implementing it instead through simple mirror rotation and translation mechanisms. This removes unnecessary complexity while preserving the essential scanning capability needed for ophthalmic imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive mirror components that can be easily replaced or adjusted, substituting for costly galvanometer scanners and precision prisms. These simple mirrors achieve the required scanning function without the high cost and complexity of traditional components.
2Loss of energy
If multiple optical components are positioned at the same conjugate plane to optimize light throughput, then optical power efficiency improves, but design constraints and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the mirror scanning mechanism from the traditional pupil conjugate plane to an intermediate focal point position within the optical path. This dimensional repositioning allows optical components to be distributed at different conjugate planes, reducing the need for complex optical relays while maintaining light throughput efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If pupil splitting is implemented through scanning components, then alignment between illumination and collection paths is achieved, but the scanning component is restricted to specific positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the pupil splitting function from the scanning mirrors, implementing pupil splitting through dedicated beam splitter components positioned at appropriate conjugate planes. This extraction allows the scanning mirrors to be positioned flexibly without being constrained by pupil splitting requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces beam splitter components as intermediaries to achieve pupil splitting and alignment between illumination and collection paths. These beam splitters mediate the optical paths, enabling proper alignment without restricting the positioning of scanning mirrors.
4Measurement precision
If advanced optical imaging systems are used for early disease detection, then diagnostic capability improves, but system cost and complexity increase, limiting availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive mirror components instead of costly galvanometer scanners and precision prisms, significantly reducing system cost while maintaining the imaging precision needed for early pathology detection. This makes advanced ophthalmic imaging more accessible and available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary complex components from traditional ophthalmic imaging systems, retaining only the essential elements needed for high-quality imaging. This simplification reduces both cost and complexity while preserving diagnostic capability.
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 approach reduces system complexity and cost, enhances optical power efficiency, and enables precise alignment and imaging with reduced components, while maintaining high image quality and depth resolution.
Implementation Method 1
Use of a K-mirror as the scanning component. Use of a K-mirror also avoids any aberration issues associated with prisms
Implementation Method 2
efficient line-field and/or full-field and/or partial-field interferometry
Data Source
AI summary
Various techniques for providing a low-cost ophthalmic imaging system, such an OCT or fundus imagers are presented. Cost is reduced by using a K-minor as a scanning component. The K-mirror is positioned at a retina conjugate. A beam splitter is positioned at the pupil conjugate and may be used to provide pupil splitting functionality. The beam splitter's shape and area conform to the focal light footprint of an illumination source such that it spans only a fraction of a collection window. 2D FFT is applied to capture spectra for purposes of selectively removing complex conjugate components and for extracting patient pupil to system collection pupil alignment. Consequently, pupil alignment is achieved by use of captured OCT data without the need for additional pupil cameras.