Ophthalmic Apparatus Wavelength Sampling Clock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic apparatuses using optical interferometry for intraocular tomographic imaging require expensive components like fiber Bragg gratings to detect specific wavelengths, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic apparatus that generates a sample clock signal with equal frequency intervals, allowing for the determination of processing duration based on period data, enabling sampling of interference signals within the same wavelength range without the need for expensive wavelength detection components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive components like fiber Bragg gratings are used to detect specific wavelengths, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wavelength detection function from separate expensive components (FBG) and integrates it into the existing sample clock signal generator. The sample clock signal generator now serves dual purposes: generating sampling timing signals and detecting wavelength information through period data analysis, thereby eliminating the need for separate wavelength detection components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample clock signal generator is designed to perform multiple functions: generating sample clock signals for interference signal sampling and simultaneously detecting wavelength information by analyzing the period data of its own output signals. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If separate wavelength detection components are installed, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wavelength detection function with the sample clock signal generator circuit that already exists in the system. By combining these functions into a single integrated circuit, the manufacturing process is simplified as fewer separate components need to be assembled, tested, and calibrated, while still achieving accurate wavelength-based sampling.
3Productivity
If sampling is performed without precise wavelength range control, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the period data of the sample clock signal to dynamically adjust and determine the processing duration for interference signal sampling. The processor analyzes the period data to identify the wavelength range, then sets the sampling duration accordingly, ensuring that sampling always occurs within the correct wavelength range while maintaining high sampling speed.
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 allows for efficient sampling of interference signals at the same timing each cycle of wavelength change, reducing costs and complexity while maintaining data processing accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a light source of wavelength sweeping type; a measurement optical system configured to irradiate a subject eye with light from the light source
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving element configured to receive interference light, the interference light being a combination of the reflected light from the subject eye and the reference light
Data Source
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AI summary
An ophthalmic apparatus may include: a light source of wavelength sweeping type; a measurement optical system; a reference optical system; a light receiving element that receives interference light; a sample clock signal generator that generates a sample clock signal from the light from the light source, the sample clock signal cyclically changing at equal frequency intervals; a signal processor that samples an interference signal based on the sample clock signal, the interference signal being outputted from the light receiving element when the light receiving element receives the interference light. The ophthalmic apparatus generates period data based on the sample clock signal, the period data indicating a relationship between a period of the sample clock signal and time; and determines a processing duration of the interference signal sampled at the signal processor based on the period data.