Ophthalmic Microscope Non-Coaxial OCT Optical Axis Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Galilean ophthalmologic microscopes with integrated OCT systems face limitations in optical design freedom due to the interdependence of the OCT and observation optical systems, which restricts the ability to secure sufficient distance between the microscope and the subject's eye and requires complex optical designs.
Innovation Solution
The optical axis of the OCT system is placed non-coaxially with respect to the observation system, allowing for independent design and detachment of the OCT system, with a SLO optical system guiding light rays coaxially with the OCT axis to ensure accurate imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the OCT optical system is integrated into the microscope with coaxial alignment, then the image alignment between observation and OCT systems is improved, but the degree of freedom in optical design is reduced and the distance between microscope and subject's eye is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into two independent parts: the observation optical system and the OCT optical system. Each system has its own optical axis and can be designed independently. The observation optical system uses one optical axis while the OCT optical system uses a different optical axis, allowing both systems to optimize their designs without mutual interference, thus resolving the contradiction between image alignment and design freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam combiner as an intermediary component that merges the light paths of the observation optical system and the OCT optical system. This beam combiner allows both systems to operate independently with different optical axes while still delivering light to the same target area, enabling independent focus adjustment and sufficient working distance without compromising image alignment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the OCT optical system is integrated into the microscope, then the diagnostic capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the OCT optical system into a separate, independently designed module with its own optical axis. This segmentation allows the OCT system to be added to enhance diagnostic capability without requiring complex integration with the observation system, as each system maintains its own optical path and can be adjusted independently, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical axis of OCT system is separated from observation system, then the degree of freedom in design is improved and focus adjustment is independent, but the image alignment between systems may mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The beam combiner serves as a mediator that coordinates the light paths of the two independently aligned optical systems. By using this intermediary component, the patent enables independent focus adjustment for each system while still achieving proper image alignment, as the beam combiner manages the merging of light paths from the separate optical axes.
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 configuration enhances the degree of freedom in optical design, enables independent focus adjustment, and allows for detailed 3D tomographic imaging without image mismatch between the observation and OCT systems.
Implementation Method 1
OCT is a technique that constitutes an interferometer using a low coherence (a short coherence length) light source, thereby obtains tomographic images of a biological body
Implementation Method 2
it uses the low coherence light source, divides its light in half with a beam splitter, irradiates one of the lights (a measuring light) to the biological tissue to reflect or scatter, and reflects the other of the lights (a reference light) with a mirror
Implementation Method 3
an objective lens through which the optical axis of the observation optical system for left eye and the optical axis of the observation optical system for right eye of the observation optical system commonly penetrate
Data Source
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AI summary
The object of the present invention is to develop an ophthalmologic microscope of a new method that increases the degree of freedom in the optical design in the Galilean ophthalmologic microscope provided with an OCT optical system. The present invention provides an ophthalmologic microscope 1, wherein an observation optical system 400, an objective lens 2, and an OCT optical system 500 are placed in such a way that the optical axis of the OCT optical system 0-500 does not penetrate through objective lens 2, and the optical axis of the observation optical system O-400 and the optical axis of the OCT optical system O-500 are non-coaxial, and wherein the ophthalmologic microscope further comprises a SLO optical system 1500 that scans a light ray which is a visible ray, a near infrared ray, or an infrared ray and guides the light to the subject's eye so as to become substantially coaxial with the optical axis of the OCT optical system O-500.