Ophthalmic Acquisition Optics With Positional Relationship Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ophthalmologic apparatuses face difficulty in objectively determining the positional relationship between the subject's eyes and the acquisition optical system due to the head portion obstructing the view, making it challenging to confirm the visual function test conditions.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a pair of acquisition optical systems with an optical system change mechanism that adjusts the position and orientation of these systems, along with a controller to create a positional relationship image based on optical and subject eye information, displayed on a screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the subject places his/her face against the head portion for measurement, then the measurement optical system can properly acquire eye information, but the head portion obstructs the view making it difficult to visually observe the subject eyes and measurement optical system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeye information acquisitionVSAvoidvisual observation of positional relationship
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a positional relationship image that is a visual copy or representation of the actual spatial arrangement between subject eyes and measurement optical system. This copied image is displayed on a screen, allowing observers to see the positional relationship without needing to directly observe the physical arrangement, thus resolving the obstruction problem while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The positional relationship image acts as an intermediary between the actual measurement setup and the observer. Instead of requiring direct visual access to the subject eyes and optical system (which is blocked by the head portion), the intermediary image conveys the positional information, enabling the observer to understand the spatial relationship indirectly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the head portion is designed to hold the subject's face in an appropriate posture, then proper measurement can be performed, but the structure makes it difficult to visually confirm the test condition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubject positioningVSAvoidconfirmation of test condition
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system generates a visual copy of the test condition showing the positional relationship between subject eyes and measurement optical system. This copied information is displayed on a screen, allowing the operator to visually confirm whether the subject is properly positioned without needing to directly observe the physical setup through the head portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The positional relationship image provides visual feedback to the operator about the test condition. By displaying the spatial arrangement, the system enables real-time confirmation and adjustment of subject positioning, ensuring proper test conditions are met while maintaining the functional design of the head portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4595870A1Ophthalmological device
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP4595870A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4595870A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4595870A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide an ophthalmologic apparatus capable of objectively determining positional relationship between a subject eye and an acquisition optical system even when the subject places his/her face against a head portion. The ophthalmologic apparatus (10) includes a pair of acquisition optical systems (measurement optical systems 20) that are configured to acquire eye information of both subject eyes E, an optical system change mechanism (measurement head driver 15) that is configured to change at least one of a position or an orientation of a pair of acquisition optical systems (measurement optical systems 20), and a controller (27) that is configured to create a positional relationship image Ip showing a positional relationship of a pair of acquisition optical systems with respect to a pair of subject eyes based on optical posture information indicating the position and the orientation of a pair of acquisition optical systems (measurement optical system 20) set by the optical system change mechanism (measurement head driver 15) and subject eye position information indicating a position of the subject eye, and displays the positional relationship image on a display (34).