Ophthalmic Imaging Using Microlens Array for Glare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmic imaging systems for retinal diseases are bulky, expensive, and difficult to transport due to their size and complexity, often resulting in out-of-focus or obscured images due to alignment and glare issues, limiting their portability and effectiveness in early diagnosis and monitoring.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic imaging apparatus featuring a microlens array, photosensor array, and a processing module that captures and processes light field information to produce high-resolution, three-dimensional images of the fundus, with a fixation assembly for axial alignment and an aperture stop to minimize glare, allowing for sharper images and improved portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional digital fundus cameras and OCT units are used, then high-quality retinal images can be obtained, but the equipment becomes bulky, expensive, and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into separate functional modules: a compact digital camera for capturing images, a display unit for viewing, and a processor for analysis. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining high image quality through specialized imaging algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical focusing and alignment systems with computational methods. Instead of using sophisticated mechanical focus adjustment mechanisms, the system uses image processing algorithms to achieve precise focus and alignment, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Reliability
If sophisticated focusing and eye fixation systems are used, then reliable imaging conditions can be maintained, but the equipment becomes less portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical eye fixation devices with a display unit that presents fixation targets to the patient. This computational approach to eye fixation eliminates complex mechanical restraint devices, maintaining reliable imaging conditions while significantly improving portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the eye's optical characteristics through computational modeling. By simulating the eye's focusing behavior and optical properties in software, the system eliminates the need for complex physical focusing mechanisms, thereby maintaining imaging reliability while reducing device complexity and improving portability.
3Manufacturing precision
If camera optics are positioned at correct distance from the patient's eyeball, then focused images can be obtained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces precise mechanical positioning and alignment systems with computational focus adjustment. Instead of requiring complex mechanical systems to maintain optimal camera-to-eye distance, the system uses image processing algorithms to achieve and maintain focus accuracy, thereby reducing alignment complexity while preserving manufacturing precision.
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
The system provides sharper, higher spatial resolution images, reduces glare, and enables 3D reconstruction of retinal topography, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and portability while simplifying equipment complexity and cost, facilitating remote imaging and telemedicine.
Implementation Method 1
an objective lens positioned along an imaging axis intersecting a point on the fundus of the eye wherein the objective lens is positioned for refracting light that has been reflected by the fundus to form an image of the fundus on an image plane
Implementation Method 2
a relay lens positioned in between the objective lens and the photosensor for relaying the image plane of the objective lens
Implementation Method 3
the microlens array is positioned in between the image plane of the objective lens and the photosensor array such that each microlens in the array projects a different view of the image formed at the image plane of the relay lens thereby forming an array of elemental images on the photosensor array
Implementation Method 4
an aperture stop positioned along the imaging axis to limit the amount of light passing through the optical system
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic imaging apparatus comprising: an illumination light source and an optical assembly for directing light from the light source into an eye of a subject; a photosensor array comprising a plurality of photosensors positioned for acquiring images of portions of a fundus of the eye; an objective lens positioned along an imaging axis intersecting a point on the fundus of the eye wherein the objective lens is positioned for refracting light that has been reflected by the fundus to form an image of the fundus on an image plane of the objective lens such that the image plane is positioned away from the photosensor array; and a microlens array comprising a plurality of microlenses wherein the microlens array is spaced away from and positioned behind the image plane and wherein the microlens array is positioned in between the image plane and the photosensor array such that each microlens in the array projects a different view of the image formed at the image plane thereby forming an array of elemental images on the photosensor array.