Movable Lens Set for Wide-Field Ocular Fundus Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocular fundus examinations face challenges in capturing complete and clear images of the eye's fundus due to the small pupil size, leading to inefficient image stitching and potential blurring from eye movement, which hampers the diagnosis of ophthalmic diseases.
Innovation Solution
A camera device with a movable lens set and image sensing unit that continuously captures images of the eye's fundus from different angles, using a first axis movable lens set and a second axis movable lens set to adjust the optical axis and included angle, allowing for efficient stitching of images to expand the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the pupil size is small, then the eye structure is normal, but the field of view of the fundus is limited and cannot be captured in one image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable lens set that can translate along the optical axis and rotate around it, dynamically adjusting the viewing angle and position to capture different regions of the fundus. This dynamic positioning system allows the camera to sweep across the entire fundus area systematically, overcoming the limitation of small pupil size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces angular dimension by rotating the lens set around the optical axis, in addition to translational movement. This two-dimensional movement (translation + rotation) enables the system to access different spatial regions of the fundus through the small pupil, effectively expanding the field of view beyond what a fixed lens could achieve.
2Area of stationary object
If photographs are taken separately at different time points, then different angles of fundus can be captured, but the exposure levels differ and image stitching becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous image capture during the lens movement process, taking multiple photographs in rapid succession as the lens translates and rotates. This continuous shooting approach ensures that all images are captured under identical exposure settings and lighting conditions, eliminating exposure inconsistencies that would arise from separate拍摄 sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes a coordinated movement pattern for the lens set and synchronizes the imaging frequency before capture begins. By planning the translation and rotation trajectory in advance, the system ensures consistent spatial sampling and exposure conditions across all captured images, facilitating accurate subsequent stitching.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple photographs are taken at different time points, then the complete fundus can be covered, but significant time is consumed and eye trembling may occur causing blurred images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs all fundus imaging in a single continuous operation where the lens set moves smoothly across the fundus while capturing images continuously. This eliminates the time losses associated with stopping and restarting between separate photographs, reducing total capture time to just a few seconds while maintaining complete fundus coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system rapidly moves the lens set through the entire fundus area in a single swift motion, capturing images at high speed along the trajectory. This rushed-through approach minimizes the total time the patient must maintain fixation and reduces the window for eye trembling to occur, thereby preventing motion blur while still achieving comprehensive coverage.
4Productivity
If the lens set and image sensing unit move continuously to capture multiple images, then wide-field images can be obtained efficiently, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lens set and image sensing unit into a single integrated movable assembly. By merging these components, they move together as one unit, simplifying the mechanical design compared to having separate movable lens and sensor systems. This integration reduces the number of independent actuators and alignment requirements while maintaining the ability to capture multiple images efficiently.
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 method enables rapid acquisition of wide-field images with consistent exposure and reduced distortion, improving the accuracy of image stitching and clinical diagnosis by minimizing the time and motion artifacts during image capture.
Implementation Method 1
The first actuation module includes a piezoelectric actuator or a motor
Data Source
AI summary
A camera device configured to obtain an image of an eye is provided. The camera apparatus includes an image sensing unit, a lens set, and a processing unit. The lens set is located between the image sensing unit and the eye and projects light from the eye to the image sensing unit. Here, the lens set and the image sensing unit correspondingly move relative to the eye and continuously shoot a plurality of images of a plurality of parts of the eye. The processing unit is electrically connected to the image sensing unit, and the processing unit stitches the images. A photographing method is also provided.