Ophthalmic Imaging Interface Alignment Using Head-Position Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjusting the height of a patient interface in ophthalmic imaging devices is a time-consuming and challenging process, particularly for operators with limited skill, leading to potential motion artifacts in acquired images, especially for older patients who may not engage properly with an uncomfortable interface.
Innovation Solution
A control system that uses a camera to acquire images of the subject's head and processes them to generate control signals for adjusting the height and lateral position of the patient interface to a target position, using mappings based on age, distance, or seat height to ensure comfortable engagement and reduce motion artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of patient interface height is performed by operator, then the interface can be adjusted to suit subject height, but the process is time-consuming and challenging for operators with limited skill
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic macro-alignment by having the subject sit in a chair and the system automatically capturing images, determining head position, and adjusting the patient interface height without operator intervention. The device serves itself by using its own imaging capabilities to guide the alignment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with an automated system that uses image capture, processing, and motorized height adjustment. The mechanical system of manual operator adjustment is substituted with an automated control system that performs the same function more efficiently.
2Reliability
If patient interface height is not properly adjusted for older patients, then they may fail to engage with the interface, but manual adjustment is particularly challenging for this group
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from captured images to determine the subject's head position and automatically adjusts the patient interface height accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures proper engagement regardless of subject age or operator skill level.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic adjustment system eliminates the need for operators to manually assess and adjust for older patients with limited mobility. The system performs the adjustment autonomously based on image analysis, making the process reliable for all patient populations.
3Measurement precision
If patient interface height is manually adjusted, then macro alignment can be achieved, but motion artifacts may still occur during imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automatic macro-alignment before the imaging session begins by capturing images of the subject's head and adjusting the patient interface to the correct height. This preliminary action ensures proper positioning before the actual imaging, reducing the likelihood of motion artifacts during the procedure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control system comprising at least one camera arranged to acquire one or more images of at least a portion of a head of a subject and a processor arranged to process the one or more images to generate a value of a first indicator which is indicative of a height at which the at least a portion of the head, to use at least one mapping to map the value of the first indicator to a value of a second indicator which is indicative of a target height and to generate a control signal for adjusting a height at which a height-adjustable contact surface of the ophthalmic imaging device is disposed to the target height at which the contact surface is to contact the head of the subject during imaging of the eye of the subject by the ophthalmic imaging device.