Optical Image Measuring Device Dynamic Scanning Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical image measurement devices face challenges in obtaining clear images when the intensity of interference light is low, particularly in cases like opaque eyes due to cataracts, leading to suboptimal fundus oculi imaging.

Innovation Solution

The device employs a broadband light source, an interference-light generator, a scanner, and a detector with a controller that adjusts scan speed, scan position, and charge accumulation time to enhance the intensity of the interference light, ensuring a clear image is formed even when the intensity is below a predetermined threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the device scans with a light beam only in one direction to form a two-dimensional tomographic image, then the imaging process is simple and fast, but the image quality and detail resolution are insufficient for complex measurement targets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging speedVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic scanning control by making the scan direction changeable based on measurement requirements. The scanning unit can switch between single-direction scanning for rapid overview and multi-directional scanning for detailed examination, allowing the system to adapt its scanning pattern dynamically to balance speed and image quality according to the specific measurement task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the device uses a fixed scanning pattern, then the device complexity is low and operation is simple, but the adaptability to different measurement targets and conditions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning control complexityVSAvoidmeasurement target adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic scanning control where the scanning direction and pattern can be changed based on the measurement target and requirements. The control unit adjusts scanning parameters in real-time, allowing the same device to adapt to different measurement scenarios without requiring multiple specialized devices, thus maintaining low complexity while achieving high versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes scanning parameters (direction, speed, pattern) dynamically based on measurement needs. By adjusting these parameters rather than changing the physical structure, the device achieves adaptability to different measurement targets while keeping the hardware complexity low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the device increases the scan speed to improve productivity, then the imaging efficiency increases, but the detection precision and signal quality decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging efficiencyVSAvoiddetection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic scanning speed control where the scan speed can be adjusted based on the measurement stage and target characteristics. During initial overview scanning, higher speeds are used for efficiency, while during detailed measurement of critical regions, the speed is reduced to improve detection precision, thus dynamically balancing productivity and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution effectively increases the detection signal intensity, enabling the acquisition of clear images even in low-interference light conditions, thereby improving image quality in medical imaging applications.

Implementation Method 1

superimpose the signal light propagated through a measured object and the reference light propagated through a reference object to generate an interference light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

a detector configured to receive the interference light to convert into electric charges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2177896B1Optical image measuring device
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP2177896B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2177896B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2177896B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Such an optical image measurement device is provided that is capable of acquiring a clear image even when the intensity of an interference light is low. A fundus oculi observation device 1 is configured to superimpose a signal light LS propagated through a fundus oculi Ef and a reference light LR propagated through a reference mirror 174 to generate an interference light LC, detect the interference light LC, and form an image of the fundus oculi Ef. The device 1 determines whether the intensity of a detection signal of the interference light LC is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold and, when determines that the intensity is less than the predetermined threshold, controls to increase the intensity of the detection signal of the interference light LC. The device 1 forms an image of the fundus oculi Ef based on the detection signal with the increased intensity.