Ophthalmological Apparatus Pseudo Alignment Index for Eye Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ophthalmological apparatuses face challenges in accurately aligning the optical system with the subject's eye, particularly when photographing peripheral fundus areas, leading to potential misalignment and increased complexity due to varying display methods of alignment index images, which can result in increased costs and apparatus size.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmological apparatus with a control processor that acquires and displays a pseudo alignment index image based on the three-dimensional position of the subject's eye, allowing for alignment in multiple display modes to ensure proper optical system alignment without increasing costs or apparatus size, using a combination of fundus cameras and OCT units for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the alignment reference position is changed for peripheral fundus photography, then the optical system can be aligned with the pupil center, but the alignment index image may be eliminated from the monitor screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual alignment index image by superimposing a reference mark image onto the captured fundus image. This virtual copy allows the alignment reference to remain visible on the monitor screen even when the physical alignment index falls outside the camera's field of view, thus preventing information loss while maintaining alignment accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If multiple display modes are provided for alignment index images, then operator preference and familiarity can be accommodated, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multiple display modes (full screen mode and overlay mode) within a single alignment system. The control processor can switch between different display configurations based on operator selection, allowing one system to serve multiple operational preferences without requiring separate alignment devices for each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment index display is made dynamic and adjustable. The system allows operators to change display modes during operation, transitioning between full screen display and overlay display as needed. This dynamic adaptability provides ease of operation without permanently increasing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the alignment index is projected on the peripheral cornea, then the optical system can be aligned for peripheral fundus photography, but the alignment index is easily eliminated from the monitor screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates a virtual reference mark by superimposing a reference image onto the captured fundus image. This virtual copy of the alignment reference remains visible on the monitor regardless of where the actual alignment index is positioned on the peripheral cornea, thus preventing information loss while maintaining adaptability for peripheral photography.
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmological apparatus includes an optical system, a display device, a subject's eye position acquisition processor, and a control processor that acquires information on positional displacement of the optical system for inspection with respect to the subject's eye on the basis of the three-dimensional position to allow an alignment index image for performing alignment of the optical system for inspection with respect to the subject's eye in accordance with the information on positional displacement to be displayed in a screen of the display device in a pseudo manner, where the control processor has a plurality of display modes, in each of which the alignment index image is displayed in a different display form to allow the alignment index image to be displayed in the screen of the display device in a display mode selected from the plurality of display modes in a pseudo manner.