External Anterior Segment Module for OCT Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing OCT systems require significant complexity and cost to switch between retinal and anterior segment scanning, and fail to maintain the patient's viewing direction during anterior segment scanning, especially for patients with only one functioning eye.
Innovation Solution
An external add-on module with an adjustable anterior segment scan lens and fixation target that can be attached to the OCT system, allowing for anterior segment scanning without altering the internal beam path, and featuring a visible fixation target to maintain the patient's viewing direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an external anterior segment scan module is added to enable anterior segment scanning, then the OCT system can perform both retinal and anterior segment scanning, but the device complexity and cost are greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the ocular lens to serve dual purposes: it functions as both the retinal scan lens for retinal imaging and the anterior segment scan lens for anterior segment imaging. This eliminates the need for separate scan lenses and complex switching mechanisms, allowing one optical component to perform multiple scanning functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fixation target for retinal scanning with the anterior segment scan module by positioning the fixation target at the focal point of the ocular lens. This integration allows the fixation target to serve both retinal fixation during retinal scanning and fixation during anterior segment scanning, eliminating the need for separate fixation systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the retina scan lens is replaced with an anterior segment scan lens to enable anterior segment scanning, then anterior segment scanning is achieved, but additional optical-mechanical modules are required to exchange lenses and adjust beam paths
Solution Approach 1:
The ocular lens is designed to function universally as both the retinal scan lens and the anterior segment scan lens. By positioning the anterior segment scan lens at the focal point of the ocular lens, the system enables anterior segment scanning without requiring lens exchange mechanisms or additional optical-mechanical modules.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an anterior segment scan lens is added externally to change beam focus from retina to cornea, then anterior segment scanning is enabled, but the internal fixation beam path must be adjusted to maintain viewing direction
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation target is merged with the anterior segment scan module by positioning it at the focal point of the ocular lens. This integration ensures that the fixation target remains effective for both retinal scanning and anterior segment scanning, eliminating the need for separate fixation systems and complex beam path adjustments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If motors are used to adjust the positions of optical components and fixation target for anterior segment scanning, then the fixation target can be re-focused onto the retina, but the instrument complexity and cost are still increased
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation target positioned at the focal point of the ocular lens serves universally for both retinal scanning and anterior segment scanning. This design eliminates the need for motor-driven adjustments to maintain fixation effectiveness across different scanning modes, reducing mechanical complexity.
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 solution simplifies the OCT system, reduces costs, and enables effective anterior segment scanning while maintaining the patient's viewing direction, including for patients with one functioning eye, without adjusting the internal structure of the OCT system.
Implementation Method 1
an anterior segment scan lens 11 externally to the ocular lens 5 for changing OCT beams from being focused on the retina to focus on the cornea
Implementation Method 2
the internal fixation target 9 is coupled to the OCT scan beam path via the internal fixation lens 8 and the beam splitter 7 and is then imaged on the retina of the eye 6 under investigation
Implementation Method 3
the internal fixation target 9 is coupled to the OCT scan beam path via the internal fixation lens 8 and the beam splitter 7 and is then imaged on the retina of the eye 6 under investigation via the ocular lens 5
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~6D
AI summary
An OCT system comprises an OCT scan module for retinal scanning and an add-on anterior segment scanning module which includes at least one anterior segment scan lens (11) and an add-on fixation target (15) which is used to maintain the viewing direction of the eye (6) under investigation while achieving anterior segment scanning. Because the anterior segment scan module added to the exterior of an existing OCT system for retinal scanning has an add-on fixation target (15), it is possible to maintain the viewing direction of the eye (6) under investigation while carrying out anterior segment scanning without adjusting the internal beam path of the OCT system, and the OCT system of the present invention can be adapted to patients with only one functioning eye.