Plenoptic Ocular Tomography for Precision Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ocular tomography techniques lack the necessary precision and accuracy for effective measurement of the three-dimensional structure of the eye, which is crucial for diagnosing and treating visual defects and ocular aberrations.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a plenoptic detector and processing system to capture and analyze light reflections from the eye's surfaces, generating plenoptic image data that allows for the determination of ocular tomography data by calculating distances between Purkinje images from different eye surfaces, enabling precise measurement of corneal and lens structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ocular tomography techniques are used, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision and accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into multiple captures at different focus depths, with each capture providing information about a specific depth range. The plenoptic detector divides the measurement task across multiple focal planes, allowing precise extraction of depth information from reflections at different ocular surfaces through computational processing of segmented depth data
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from conventional 2D imaging to 4D light field measurement by capturing intensity, position, and direction of light rays. This additional dimensional information enables precise depth extraction and 3D reconstruction of ocular structures, resolving the trade-off between measurement precision and device complexity
2Measurement precision
If conventional ocular tomography techniques are used, then the device structure is simple, but the accuracy of determining three-dimensional eye structure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple images are captured in advance at different focus depths before computational processing. This preliminary capture of diverse focal plane data provides the raw material needed for accurate 3D reconstruction, allowing the system to extract precise depth information about corneal and lens surfaces through subsequent computational analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The plenoptic detector acts as an intermediary that captures light field information from multiple focus depths. This intermediate representation of the light field serves as a bridge between the optical system and the final 3D reconstruction, enabling accurate determination of ocular structure through computational processing of the intermediate plenoptic data
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 enhances the accuracy and precision of ocular tomography, improving the effectiveness of ophthalmic diagnostic procedures and treatments by providing detailed measurements of eye structures, such as corneal and lens thicknesses, radii, and distances between ocular components.
Implementation Method 1
receive images of the light sources reflected from surfaces of the eye
Implementation Method 2
a microlens array configured to receive images of the light sources reflected from surfaces of the eye and direct the images to the photosensor array
Data Source
AI summary
Improved systems and methods for ocular tomography are provided. These systems and methods can be used to improve the effectiveness of a wide variety of different ophthalmic diagnostic procedures, and various surgical and non-surgical treatments. One embodiment provides a system and method for determining ocular tomography data for the eye using a plenoptic detector. For example, an ocular tomography system can comprise a set of light sources configured to illuminate an eye, a plenoptic detector configured to receive images of the light sources reflected from surfaces of the eye and generate plenoptic image data representing the images, and a processing system coupled to the plenoptic detector. The processing system is configured to analyze the plenoptic image data to determine tomography data for the eye.