Ophthalmologic Device Alignment via Multi-Camera Eye State Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ophthalmologic apparatuses fail to accurately align the optical system with the eye, leading to suboptimal examinations due to neglect of the eye's state, resulting in issues like blocked light flux during fundus examination and flare in images, especially when the gaze direction changes or miosis and eyelid conditions are not considered.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmologic apparatus combining a fundus camera and OCT unit with an arithmetic and control unit that performs automatic alignment by analyzing images from multiple cameras and adjusting the optical system based on the eye's state, including gaze direction and eye movement, to ensure precise alignment and focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional alignment is performed without consideration of eye state, then alignment process is simple, but examination accuracy deteriorates due to blocked light flux and flare
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of eye state (gaze direction, miosis, eyelid position) before conducting the main examination. This preliminary action allows the alignment process to be adjusted in advance, preventing blocked light flux and flare issues before they occur during the actual fundus examination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors eye state parameters and provides feedback to adjust the alignment and examination process. By detecting changes in gaze direction, pupil size, and eyelid position in real-time, the system can dynamically adjust the optical system to maintain optimal examination conditions throughout the procedure.
2Reliability
If gaze direction is not considered during alignment, then alignment is easier, but light flux is blocked by iris causing examination failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects the gaze direction and iris position before initiating the fundus examination. This preliminary detection allows the system to pre-adjust the optical path to avoid blocked light flux, ensuring reliable examination without complicating the operational process for the user.
3Measurement precision
If miosis state and eyelid conditions are not considered, then examination setup is simpler, but image quality deteriorates with flare present
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of miosis state and eyelid position before the examination. Based on these detections, the system pre-adjusts examination parameters and optical settings to prevent flare in the captured images, thereby improving image quality without significantly increasing setup complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts examination parameters based on detected eye state. When miosis or eyelid conditions are detected, the system modifies illumination intensity, exposure time, or optical path settings to compensate for potential flare, thereby maintaining high image quality under varying eye conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
An ophthalmologic apparatus capable of performing suitable examination according to the state of the eye is provided. An ophthalmologic apparatus of an embodiment includes an examination optical system, a drive part, two or more imaging parts, an analyzer, and a controller. The examination optical system is used to examine an eye. The drive part moves the examination optical system. The two or more imaging parts substantially simultaneously photograph the anterior segment of the eye from different directions. The analyzer analyzes photographic images captured by the two or more imaging parts to obtain the three-dimensional position of the eye, and displacement information indicating the displacement direction and displacement amount of the eye due to eye movement. The controller performs a first alignment process of controlling the drive part based on the three-dimensional position to move the examination optical system and a second alignment process of controlling the drive part based on the displacement information to move the examination optical system.