Ophthalmological Device Fixation Stability via Dynamic Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ophthalmological apparatuses face challenges in acquiring data from desired eye sites due to fixation loss, particularly in subjects with visual acuity issues or involuntary eye movements, leading to inadequate fixation target functionality.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmological apparatus incorporating a fundus camera and OCT scanner with a light beam projecting system and analyzing circuitry that adjusts the fixation position and light beam projection area based on the positional relationship between the desired site and the scan target, using a combination of optical scanners and display devices to ensure accurate alignment and focusing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixation target is presented to guide the line of sight, then the function of guiding and fixing the eye is improved, but fixation loss occurs when the subject has visual acuity problems or involuntary eye movements
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the subject's eye position using a fundus camera and compares it with the desired scan target position. When deviation is detected (fixation loss), the system provides feedback by dynamically adjusting either the fixation target position or the light beam projection position to restore proper alignment, ensuring reliable data acquisition even in subjects with visual acuity problems or involuntary eye movements
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects fixation loss through real-time fundus imaging and self-corrects by dynamically repositioning the fixation target or light beam without requiring manual intervention. The apparatus monitors its own operational status and adjusts parameters to maintain optimal scanning conditions, making the system adaptable to various subject conditions including those with visual acuity issues
2Device complexity
If the light beam is projected onto a fixed scan target location, then the scanning process is simplified, but accurate data acquisition is compromised when fixation loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static scan target approach to a dynamic one where the scan target position or light beam projection position is continuously adjusted based on real-time eye position monitoring. This dynamic adaptation maintains measurement precision despite fixation loss, while the control system manages the complexity through automated algorithms that respond to detected deviations
3Ease of operation
If the fixation target position is fixed, then the device operation is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to eye movements or visual acuity problems
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors eye position through fundus imaging and self-adjusts the fixation target or light beam position without requiring manual reconfiguration. This self-service capability maintains ease of operation while providing adaptability to various subject conditions including visual acuity issues and involuntary eye movements
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 addresses fixation loss by dynamically adjusting the fixation position and light beam projection, ensuring accurate data acquisition and improving the reliability of ophthalmological imaging and measurement processes.
Implementation Method 1
a light beam projecting system... configured to project a light beam onto a fundus
Implementation Method 2
optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanners that acquire cross sectional images using OCT scanning
Implementation Method 3
fundus cameras that capture fundus photographs
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
An ophthalmological device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a light beam projection unit, a vision fixation system, an imaging unit, an analysis unit, and a control unit. The light beam projection unit includes an optical scanner, and is formed so as to project a light beam on the fundus of an eye of a subject. The vision fixation system is formed so as to project vision fixation light on the fundus. The imaging unit is formed so as to capture a video of the fundus on which the vision fixation light is being projected, to acquire a front observation image. The analysis unit is formed so as to analyze the front observation image to identify the position of a prescribed region of the fundus. The control unit is formed so as to control the vision fixation system and/or the optical scanner on the basis of the positional relationship between the position of the prescribed region identified by the analysis unit, and a projection target range for the light beam from the light beam projection unit.