Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope Guide Mirror Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ophthalmologic devices face challenges in maintaining the eye of a subject at a predetermined position during examination or image capturing due to inadequate contact mechanisms, leading to incomplete or abnormal image acquisition, and the need for complex alignment mechanisms that hinder downsizing.
Innovation Solution
A scanning laser ophthalmoscope with a guide mirror and scanner configuration fixed to the subject's head via a guide mirror holder, eliminating the need for an alignment mechanism by maintaining a constant positional relationship between the eye and the scanner, and utilizing a free-form surface or combined diffraction surface guide mirror to ensure accurate laser light convergence and suppress eye movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an alignment mechanism is provided to follow up eye movements, then the reliability of image capturing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the optical system follow the eye movement through a complex alignment mechanism, the patent inverts the approach by making the eye follow the fixed optical system. The guide mirror holder with head-contacting means restrains eye movement, causing the eye to track the stationary scanner and guide mirror, thereby eliminating the need for complex alignment mechanisms while maintaining reliable image capturing.
2Reliability
If an alignment mechanism is provided to follow up eye movements, then the reliability of ocular examination is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for bulky alignment mechanisms by inverting the traditional approach. Instead of the optical system tracking the eye, the eye is restrained to track the fixed optical system using a simple guide mirror holder that contacts the head, thereby maintaining reliable ocular examination while significantly reducing device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the complex alignment mechanism from the system entirely. By using a simple guide mirror holder to restrain eye movement, the function of following up eye movements is achieved without the need for complex alignment mechanisms, thereby reducing device size while maintaining examination reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If contact means is used to hold the eye position, then the positional stability is improved, but the subject comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the contact function into a dedicated guide mirror holder that specifically contacts the head to restrain eye movement. This segmented approach provides necessary positional stability while minimizing contact with the eye itself, thereby improving subject comfort while maintaining eye position stability during imaging.
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 stable and complete image acquisition without the need for alignment mechanisms, achieving downsizing by maintaining the eye's position and using dual-wavelength laser light for image capture and fixation, reducing device complexity and burden on the subject.
Implementation Method 1
the guide mirror may comprise a free-form surface or a combined structure of a free-form curve and a diffraction surface
Implementation Method 2
the guide mirror may comprise a free-form surface or a combined structure of a free-form curve and a diffraction surface
Implementation Method 3
the light source may be configured to be capable of simultaneously or selectively emitting first laser light and second laser light, the first laser light comprising a wavelength in an infrared range used in acquiring the fundus image of the eye of the subject, the second laser light comprising a wavelength in a visible range
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A scanning laser ophthalmoscope may include: a light source configured to emit laser light; a scanner configured to scan the laser light emitted from the light source two-dimensionally; a guide mirror configured to guide the laser light scanned by the scanner to a fundus of an eye of a subject; a guide mirror holder configured to hold the guide mirror in a predetermined positional relationship with the eye of the subject; a light receiver configured to receive reflected light of the laser light reflected on the fundus; and an image generator configured to generate a fundus image based on the reflected light received by the light receiver. The guide mirror may be disposed on a path connecting the scanner and the fundus of the eye of the subject, and disposed in front of the eye of the subject. The scanner may be disposed at the guide mirror holder.