Optical Tomographic Imaging Apparatus Zone Focusing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical tomographic imaging apparatuses, particularly for ophthalmological use, face challenges in shortening imaging time due to the need for multiple focus positions in zone focusing, which increases the load on patients and is inefficient, especially when dealing with individual variations in biological optical systems that cause aberrations.
Innovation Solution
An optical tomographic imaging apparatus that includes a focus position setting device to split the imaging depth range into multiple focus zones, a reference position setting device to set at least two reference positions, and a focus controlling device to perform sequential focusing based on pre-set focus position information and in-focus conditions, allowing for efficient focusing at multiple positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple focus positions are used in zone focusing to improve imaging resolution, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to sequential focusing at each position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the correspondence between focus positions and reference position shifts before actual imaging. The focus position setting device pre-divides the imaging depth range into multiple focus zones and determines the optimal focus position in each zone. The shift amount setting device pre-calculates the shift amounts for reference positions based on these focus positions. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for time-consuming sequential focusing during actual imaging, as the system can directly apply the pre-determined focus and reference position correspondences.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple focus positions are used in zone focusing to improve imaging resolution, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional focus control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating a pre-calculated correspondence table (model) that maps focus positions to reference position shifts. Instead of implementing complex real-time control algorithms, the system stores this correspondence relationship in advance and retrieves it during imaging. The focus position setting device creates a simplified representation of the focus-zone correspondence, and the shift amount setting device generates a corresponding shift-table. This copying approach replaces complex computational complexity with simple data lookup and application.
3Manufacturing precision
If imaging time is extended to allow sequential focusing at multiple positions, then manufacturing precision is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to patient movement and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for time-consuming sequential focusing during actual imaging by performing all focus position calculations and reference position shift determinations in advance. The pre-calculated correspondence between focus positions and reference position shifts allows the system to rapidly switch between focus zones without mechanical focusing delays, significantly reducing total imaging time and minimizing patient movement artifacts.
4Manufacturing precision
If sequential focusing at multiple positions is performed to improve imaging resolution, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to slow imaging speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dramatically improves imaging speed by performing all focus position and reference position shift calculations before actual imaging begins. The focus position setting device pre-divides the depth range into zones and determines optimal focus positions, while the shift amount setting device pre-calculates all necessary reference position shifts. During imaging, the system simply applies these pre-determined settings rather than calculating and adjusting in real-time, achieving high-speed zone focusing that maintains high resolution while dramatically increasing productivity.
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 approach significantly reduces the time required for focusing at multiple focus positions, improving the efficiency of zone focusing and reducing the load on patients by enabling high-resolution imaging with accurate focus control, even in the presence of individual variations in the human eye's optical system.
Implementation Method 1
an optical tomographic imaging apparatus (optical interference tomographic imaging apparatus) that performs an optical coherence tomography (OCT) utilizing interference phenomenon of multi-wavelength light
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an optical tomographic imaging apparatus that is capable of shortening a period of time of focusing at multiple focus positions when images split in a depth direction are obtained by zone focusing. The optical tomographic imaging apparatus includes: a focus position setting device for splitting a zone within a predetermined imaging depth range into multiple focus zones so as to set multiple focus positions; a reference position setting device for setting at least two reference positions in an imaging depth direction within the predetermined imaging depth range; and a focus controlling device for performing control so as to perform focusing at the multiple focus positions sequentially based on focus position information generated by the focus position setting device and a focus condition of in-focus at the at least two reference positions set in advance by the reference position setting device.