Ophthalmic Imaging With 3D Eye Alignment for Wide-Angle Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic apparatuses face challenges in achieving wide-angle photography or measurement of the eye while maintaining precise alignment between the optical system and the eye, particularly when using reduced curvature mirrors, which complicates high-precision positioning.
Innovation Solution
The ophthalmic apparatus employs a configuration with two or more cameras and a movement mechanism to identify and align the optical system with the eye's three-dimensional position, using reflective or refractive systems, and includes a slit scanning system with curved mirrors to capture wide-angle images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the curvature of the curved mirror is reduced to downsize the apparatus, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the alignment precision between the optical system and the eye deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment optical system performs preliminary alignment of the optical system with the eye before the main photographing operation. The alignment camera captures images of the eye, and the processor calculates the three-dimensional position and orientation of the eye to determine the optimal position of the objective optical system, ensuring precise alignment is achieved before wide-angle photography begins
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment optical system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the main photographing system. It provides a separate alignment channel with the alignment camera and processor that calculates precise three-dimensional positioning information, which then guides the positioning of the main objective optical system for accurate wide-angle photography
2Area of moving object
If a curved mirror is used to achieve wide-angle photography, then the field of view is expanded, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curvature parameter of the mirror from a strongly curved configuration to a reduced curvature configuration. This parameter change allows the apparatus to achieve wide-angle photography (80 degrees or more) while maintaining a more compact size, as the reduced curvature mirror requires less space while still providing the necessary field of view expansion
3Length of moving object
If the distance between the curved mirror and the eye is shortened to downsize the apparatus, then the apparatus becomes more compact, but the alignment precision between the optical system and the eye deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment optical system performs preliminary alignment of the optical system with the eye before the main photographing operation. The alignment camera captures images of the eye, and the processor calculates the three-dimensional position and orientation of the eye to determine the optimal position of the objective optical system, ensuring precise alignment is achieved before wide-angle photography begins
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment methods with an automated optical alignment system. The alignment camera captures images, and the processor automatically calculates the three-dimensional position and orientation of the eye, substituting complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with computational imaging and processing methods
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 enables high-definition, wide-angle photography and measurement of the eye by ensuring precise alignment and capturing detailed images of the eye's anterior segment, even with reduced mirror curvature, allowing for compact apparatus design.
Implementation Method 1
an objective optical system configured to optically relay a measurement position where a pupil of an eye of an examinee can be disposed
Implementation Method 2
an illumination optical system configured to irradiate illumination light onto the eye through the objective optical system
Implementation Method 3
a photographic optical system configured to receive returning light of the illumination light from the eye through the objective optical system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An ophthalmic apparatus includes an objective optical system, an illumination optical system, a photographic optical system, a photographing unit, a movement mechanism, and a three-dimensional position identifying unit. The objective optical system is configured to optically relay a measurement position where a pupil of an eye of an examinee can be disposed. The illumination optical system is configured to irradiate illumination light onto the eye through the objective optical system. The photographic optical system is configured to receive returning light of the illumination light from the eye through the objective optical system. The photographing unit includes two or more cameras disposed so as to include a position, that is substantially conjugate optically to the measurement position relayed by the objective optical system, within a field of vision. The movement mechanism is configured to relatively move the objective optical system, the illumination optical system, the photographic optical system, and the photographing unit relative to the eye. The three-dimensional position identifying unit is configured to identify a three-dimensional position of the eye based on two or more photographic images of the eye acquired by the photographing unit.