OCT Spectrometer Imaging Window Depth Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing OCT devices have limited imaging window depth, which restricts their ability to accurately measure eye structures with serious pathologies or deformations, and are sensitive to longitudinal motion artifacts.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates additional optical means within the spectrometer to adjust the imaging window depth by modifying the spectral range of the wavelength recorded by the detector, using replaceable optical lenses, a deformable multifocal lens, or shifting and rotating diffraction elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the imaging window depth is increased to measure serious pathologies, then measurement coverage is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to motion artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic focus adjustment by making the focal plane movable along the optical axis. This allows the system to adaptively track eye structures at different depths during measurement, maintaining measurement precision even when imaging deep structures. The dynamic focal plane adjustment compensates for motion artifacts by keeping the structure of interest in focus throughout the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by adjusting the focal length and focus position of the objective lens. By varying these parameters dynamically during measurement, the system can optimize the imaging window depth to match the pathology depth while maintaining measurement precision through real-time parameter adaptation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging window depth is increased to cover larger anatomical variations, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the focal plane position and optical parameters based on the specific anatomical structure being measured. This allows the same device to adapt to different eye conditions (normal eyes, swollen optic nerves, detached retinas) while maintaining measurement precision through real-time optimization of the imaging parameters for each specific case.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal measurement system that can handle multiple eye conditions and anatomical variations through a single device. The dynamic focus adjustment mechanism allows the system to function effectively for both shallow structures (cornea, anterior chamber) and deep structures (retina, optic nerve), providing multi-functionality without sacrificing precision in any specific application.
3Device complexity
If a fixed imaging window is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic focus adjustment capability to an otherwise relatively simple optical system. By adding the ability to move the focal plane along the optical axis, the system gains significant adaptability for measuring different eye structures without requiring a completely complex optical design. The dynamic element is integrated into the existing optical path in a straightforward manner.
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 enables precise measurement of eye structures with serious pathologies by expanding the imaging window depth and reducing sensitivity to longitudinal motion artifacts, thereby improving measurement accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an appropriate spectrometer comprising: a collimator, a diffraction element, an optical lens, a detector
Implementation Method 2
an appropriate spectrometer comprising: a collimator, a diffraction element, an optical lens, a detector
Implementation Method 3
adjusting the spectral range of the wavelength recorded by the detector, which means are located within the spectrometer
Data Source
AI summary
A device for measuring the characteristics of the human eye with OCT technology, used for measuring eye properties, that has a light beam source with a low time coherence, a light beamsplitter used for dividing a single light beam coming from the light beam source into two and directing them towards the tested eye and the reference path and for directing the light beams that return from the reference path and from the tested eye, which enables the interference of those returning light beams and directing them further to the appropriate spectrometer, optical elements of the reference path and optical elements for directing the light onto the tested eye, a spectrometer with a collimator, a diffraction element, an optical lens and detector. The device has optical means for adjusting the spectrometer's imaging window by adjusting the spectral range of the wavelength recorded by the detector, which means are located within the spectrometer.