Ophthalmologic Apparatus Scan Re-Performance for Eye Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ophthalmologic apparatuses face challenges in maintaining accurate image acquisition and measurement due to eye movement or blinking, leading to increased processing load and complex control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmologic apparatus with an optical system, movement mechanism, image acquisition unit, abnormality detector, scan controller, and tracking controller that re-performs scans and adjusts optical system alignment based on detected abnormalities, allowing the system to follow eye movement and maintain positional matching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tracking control is performed to follow eye movement, then image acquisition accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to need for abnormality detection and scan re-performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors eye position during scanning and compares it with the reference position. When deviation is detected (abnormality), the system feeds back control signals to either re-perform the scan or adjust tracking, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accuracy without requiring overly complex pre-planned control sequences
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs alignment and focusing in advance before the actual scanning begins. This preliminary setup ensures that the optical system is properly positioned relative to the eye, reducing the complexity of real-time control during scanning while maintaining measurement precision
2Reliability
If scan re-performance is implemented upon abnormality detection, then measurement reliability is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of re-performing the entire scan sequence when an abnormality is detected, the system selectively re-performs only the specific scan lines or regions that were affected by the eye movement or blinking. This partial re-performance maintains measurement reliability while minimizing the time penalty compared to complete scan repetition
3Measurement precision
If alignment and focusing are performed in advance for tracking, then positional relationship accuracy is improved, but setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs alignment and focusing operations that leverage the eye's own structural features (such as the cornea reflection or iris pattern) as reference points. The eye itself provides the reference information needed for alignment, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or complex manual setup procedures, thus reducing setup time while maintaining precision
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 reduces the influence on accurate image and measurement acquisition with simpler control, even during eye movement or blinking, by re-performing scans and maintaining alignment, thus ensuring consistent and accurate data acquisition.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system that includes an optical scanner, deflects light from a light source using the optical scanner, projects the light onto a subject's eye, and receives light based on returning light from the subject's eye
Data Source
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AI summary
An ophthalmologic apparatus comprises an optical system that includes an optical scanner, deflects light from a light source using the optical scanner, projects the light onto a subject's eye, and receives light based on returning light from the subject's eye, a movement mechanism that moves the subject's eye and the optical system relative to each other, an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of the subject's eye, an abnormality detector that detects abnormality based on a reference image and the image of the subject's eye, a scan controller that controls the optical scanner to re-perform a first scan or a second scan so as to project light from the light source onto a start position of the first scan, which is being performed for the subject's eye at an acquisition timing of the image of the subject's eye, or a start position of the second scan performed before the first scan, when the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detector, and a tracking controller that controls the movement mechanism based on the reference image and the image of the subject's eye, when the abnormality is not detected by the abnormality detector.