Ophthalmologic System Eye Tracking B-Scan Placement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ophthalmologic systems with integrated OCT systems face challenges in accurately reproducing the placement of B-scans during surgery, as the eye's position and orientation relative to the surgical microscope are not defined with sufficient accuracy, making it difficult to achieve consistent B-scan placements compared to pre-operative scans.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an eye tracker into the ophthalmologic system, which uses data from previous B-scans to determine the eye's placement relative to the OCT system, allowing for precise adjustment of A-scan positions and generation of representative B-scans that match the original scan's placement, even if the eye has moved during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of B-scan placement is performed by the user, then the placement can be roughly aligned with pre-operative scans, but the accuracy is limited and substantial effort is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated eye tracking system that uses optical sensors to detect eye position and orientation. The eye tracker captures images of the eye and calculates placement parameters automatically, substituting the manual mechanical positioning process with an optical measurement and computational system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-positioning by automatically determining eye placement parameters through eye tracking without requiring user intervention. The OCT system autonomously adjusts B-scan placement based on eye tracker data, making the system self-correcting and eliminating the need for manual alignment efforts.
2Reliability
If the eye position is not defined with sufficient accuracy, then the placement of B-scans cannot be reproduced consistently, but increasing measurement precision requires more complex positioning systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an eye tracker as an intermediary device between the user and the OCT system. This intermediary captures eye position data and transmits it to the OCT control unit, which then adjusts B-scan placement accordingly. This mediator simplifies the overall positioning system by decoupling the measurement function (eye tracking) from the execution function (OCT scanning).
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function is segmented into separate components: the eye tracker independently measures eye position, the control unit independently processes the data and calculates placement parameters, and the OCT system independently executes scanning based on these parameters. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while improving reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the eye moves during surgery, then subsequent B-scans cannot be readily reproduced, but continuous monitoring would require constant repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the eye tracker continuously monitors eye position during surgery and provides real-time data to the OCT control unit. The system automatically adjusts B-scan placement based on this feedback, adapting to eye movements without requiring manual intervention or stopping the surgical workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary eye tracking to determine placement parameters before each B-scan is executed. By anticipating eye position changes and pre-calculating the necessary adjustments, the system maintains scanning efficiency while adapting to eye movements, avoiding the need for constant repositioning during the procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmologic system comprising and eye tracker and an OCT system. A method of operating the ophthalmologic system comprises: providing data representing a placement of a first B-scan performed on an eye relative to the eye; performing a measurement on the eye using the eye tracker; determining a placement of the eye relative to the ophthalmologic system based on the measurement using the eye tracker; placing the eye relative to a reference placement of the OCT system based on the provided data and the determined placement; performing A-scans on the eye at at least three A-scan positions; determining a placement of a second B-scan relative to the OCT system based on at least one of the at least three A-scans and the provided data such that the second B-scan and the first B-scan have a substantially same placement relative to the eye; and generating a representation of the second B-scan.