Ophthalmologic Apparatus Anterior Eye Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmologic techniques face challenges in accurately assessing time-dependent changes in anterior eye segment parameters, particularly due to corneal shape changes post-surgery, as existing methods are prone to errors from involuntary eye movements and deformation of ocular tissues.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmologic apparatus comprising a data acquisition device for OCT scanning, a distribution information generator, a front image acquisition device, a storage unit, a positional difference calculator, and a registration processor, which calculates and adjusts for positional differences between initial and follow-up images to accurately register and compare anterior eye segment parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alignment precision is increased to ensure reproducibility of measurement position, then measurement reliability is improved, but measurement time increases and the method becomes affected by involuntary eye movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a standard coordinate system based on the corneal apex position determined from the approximate curved surface of the cornea. This standard coordinate system is established before actual measurements are taken, allowing subsequent measurements to be automatically registered without requiring time-consuming manual alignment procedures. The corneal apex position is determined in advance from the corneal shape data, and this predetermined reference point enables rapid and consistent registration of distribution maps across multiple measurements.
2Reliability
If alignment precision is increased to ensure reproducibility of measurement position, then measurement reliability is improved, but the method becomes affected by deformation of ocular tissues due to surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using the corneal apex position (a geometric parameter derived from the corneal shape) as the reference for coordinate system registration, rather than relying on fixed anatomical landmarks that may deform after surgery. The approximate curved surface of the cornea is used to determine the corneal apex position, which serves as a stable reference point even when other ocular tissues deform. This approach allows the measurement system to adapt to post-surgical corneal deformation by dynamically adjusting the coordinate system based on the actual corneal shape at each measurement time point.
3Productivity
If conventional inter-map registration technique is used specifying corneal apex position from approximate curved surface, then alignment time is reduced, but accuracy deteriorates when cornea deformation occurs due to surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using the OCT-acquired corneal shape data to continuously update and refine the coordinate system registration. The system acquires actual corneal shape information through OCT scanning, determines the corneal apex position from this data, and uses this feedback to adjust the standard coordinate system for accurate map registration. This feedback mechanism ensures that even when corneal deformation occurs due to surgery, the registration remains accurate because it is based on the actual measured corneal geometry rather than pre-surgical references.
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
Enables precise and accurate assessment of time-dependent changes in anterior eye segment parameters, irrespective of corneal shape changes, facilitating effective comparative observations before and after surgery.
Implementation Method 1
data acquisition device that acquires data by scanning an anterior eye segment of a subject's eye using optical coherence tomography
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmologic apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment acquires data by OCT scanning of the anterior eye segment. The apparatus generates distribution information of a predetermined parameter in the anterior eye segment by analyzing the data. The apparatus acquires a front image of the anterior eye segment at the time of the data being acquired. The apparatus stores the first distribution information and the first front image both corresponding to the first time, and the second distribution information and the second front image both corresponding to the second time. The apparatus calculates the positional difference between the first front image and the second front image. The apparatus applies registration to the first distribution information and the second distribution information based on the positional difference.