Retinal Camera Multiband Illumination for Low-Discomfort Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retinal imaging systems cause patient discomfort due to bright white light flashes and have low throughput capacity, often capturing only a single image per alignment episode, which is inefficient and strains patients.
Innovation Solution
A multiband illuminator system using wavelengths substantially devoid of green light is employed to illuminate the retina during alignment, allowing multiple image acquisitions before a white light flash for a full color image, reducing discomfort and increasing image fidelity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bright white light flash is used to illuminate the retina, then image fidelity is improved, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination process is segmented into two distinct phases: first, multiple images are captured using red light illumination during alignment; second, a single full-color image is captured using white light illumination. This segmentation allows the system to avoid repeated white light flashes that cause discomfort, while still achieving high image fidelity through the combination of red light and white light images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary alignment and image capture using red light illumination before the actual white light flash. This preliminary action enables the camera to be properly aligned and multiple images to be captured without causing patient discomfort, as red light is more tolerable to patients during the alignment process.
2Measurement precision
If white light flash is activated during alignment, then image quality is improved, but throughput capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process is divided into two stages: first stage uses red light illumination to capture multiple images during alignment, second stage uses white light illumination to capture a single full-color image. This segmentation enables multiple images to be captured per alignment episode, significantly increasing throughput capacity while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple red light images are captured as a preliminary action during the alignment process, before the final white light flash. This preliminary capture of multiple images increases the number of images obtained per alignment episode, thereby improving throughput capacity while preserving image quality through the subsequent white light flash.
3Device complexity
If conventional illumination is used, then device complexity is simple, but alignment precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between red light illumination mode and white light illumination mode based on the imaging requirements. During alignment, red light illumination is used; during final imaging, white light illumination is activated. This dynamic switching capability enhances alignment precision without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination wavelength parameter is changed from white light to red light during the alignment phase, and then switched back to white light for final imaging. This parameter change enables improved alignment precision through red light illumination while maintaining the ability to capture high-quality full-color images with white light.
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 system enables high-fidelity retinal imaging with reduced patient discomfort by capturing a burst of images before alignment, improving throughput and reducing image artifacts.
Implementation Method 1
A multiband illuminator system using wavelengths substantially devoid of green light is employed to illuminate the retina during alignment
Implementation Method 2
retinal imaging systems... capturing... images
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for imaging a retina with a retinal camera includes illuminating the retina with a plurality of distinct illumination bands that are substantially exclusive of green visible light while substantially not illuminating the retina with the green visible light. A first retinal image is acquired while illuminating the retina with the distinct illumination bands and substantially not illuminating the retina with the green visible light.