Ophthalmologic Apparatus Optical Alignment for Opaque Eye Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ophthalmologic apparatuses face challenges in performing precise examinations when there are factors that disturb light, such as cataracts, opacity of the cornea, or vitreous body, leading to deteriorated image quality or inability to image the fundus during procedures like OCT and refractometry.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmologic apparatus is configured with a retinal camera unit and an OCT unit, combined with an arithmetic and control unit that enables automatic alignment and tracking, using anterior eye cameras and optical-path-length adjustment to compensate for light disturbances, allowing for effective imaging even in the presence of opaque portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light flux is entered into the eye for examination (OCT, SLO, refractometer), then examination precision can be improved, but image quality deteriorates when there is an opaque portion (cataract, cornea opacity, vitreous opacity) on the light path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the optical system movable and adjustable. The apparatus can change the position and orientation of the optical system in real-time to dynamically avoid opaque portions in the eye, allowing continuous adaptation to the patient's specific anatomical conditions while maintaining examination precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes examination parameters by using multiple wavelengths or modes of light. When one wavelength is blocked by an opaque portion, the system can switch to another wavelength that may penetrate the opacity, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite the presence of cataracts or other opacities
2Adaptability or versatility
If automatic alignment and tracking systems are added to compensate for light disturbances, then examination capability in cataract eyes is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary imaging device (such as an anterior segment camera) to capture images of the eye's opaque portions. This intermediary system provides information about the location and characteristics of opacities, which then guides the main examination optical system to adjust its parameters and avoid the disturbed regions, enabling examination capability without requiring the entire system to be overly complex
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the examination system into multiple independent functional modules: an imaging module for detecting opaque portions, a control module for processing the detected information, and an examination module for performing the actual measurement. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while working together to achieve adaptability in disturbed light conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
An ophthalmologic apparatus of an embodiment includes an examination part, a moving mechanism, an information obtaining part, and a controller. The examination part is configured to include an optical system for optically examining an eye. The moving mechanism is configured to move the optical system. The information obtaining part is configured to obtain information for carrying out position matching of the optical system to the eye. The controller is configured to carry out first control for the moving mechanism based on the information obtained by the information obtaining part to move the optical system, determine whether information optically obtained by the optical system after the first control is appropriate to the examination or not, and when it is determined that this information is not appropriate, carry out second control for the moving mechanism in response to a prescribed trigger to move the optical system.