Ophthalmologic Apparatus Scanning Position Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current OCT systems face challenges in accurately tracking the movement of the eye during imaging, particularly in OCTA mode, where the timing for correcting the scanning position is limited, leading to potential motion artifacts and increased burden on the patient due to longer scanning times.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmologic apparatus that includes a scanning unit, an imaging mode selector, and a correcting unit, which adjusts the scanning position based on calculated fundus movement, allowing for appropriate timing of corrections between scanning groups in both OCT and OCTA modes to maintain image quality and reduce patient burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tracking operation is performed for each main scanning in OCT mode, then scanning position correction is achieved, but scanning time increases and patient burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scanning process into multiple scanning groups, where tracking operation is performed selectively between groups rather than continuously for every scan. This segmentation allows the system to achieve necessary position correction while reducing the frequency of tracking operations, thereby decreasing scanning time and patient burden.
2Measurement precision
If cluster scanning is performed multiple times for OCTA mode, then vascular network imaging is achieved, but motion artifacts increase due to limited correction timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs tracking operation in advance between scanning groups to predict and compensate for eye movement before it significantly impacts the OCTA imaging. This preliminary correction action reduces motion artifacts in the final vascular network images while maintaining the necessary cluster scanning repetitions.
3Device complexity
If tracking operation timing is not adjusted for different imaging modes, then system complexity is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to inappropriate correction timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of tracking operation timing based on the selected imaging mode. The control unit automatically adapts the tracking frequency and timing according to whether OCT mode or OCTA mode is active, optimizing image quality for each mode without requiring complex manual configuration or fixed control logic.
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
The apparatus effectively corrects scanning positions in real-time, minimizing motion artifacts and reducing scanning time, thereby improving image quality and patient comfort by synchronizing corrections with the imaging mode's requirements.
Implementation Method 1
light reflected from the measurement object interferes with reference light, the time dependency or wave number dependency of the intensity of the light that has interfered is analyzed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3C
Figure 4
AI summary
The ophthalmologic apparatus includes: a scanning unit that scans a fundus of an eye to be inspected with measurement light; a selecting unit that selects one imaging mode out of a first imaging mode and a second imaging mode which is different from the first imaging mode; an acquiring unit that acquires information which indicates a movement amount of the eye to be inspected, based on a plurality of planer images of the fundus; and a correcting unit that corrects a scanning position of the measurement light in an initial scan which is executed after the information indicating the movement amount has been acquired, in the first imaging mode, and corrects the scanning position of the measurement light in an initial scan included in an initial scanning group which is executed after the information indicating the movement amount has been acquired, in the second imaging mode.