Retinal Imaging Apparatus Using Dual-Focus Light Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retinal imaging systems, such as scanning laser ophthalmoscopes, are expensive, large, and have low optical efficiency due to the numerous optical components required for illuminating the retina.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a combination of an illumination device, a wide-angle lens system, and an illumination transfer device with two foci to provide incident illumination from an apparent point source, ensuring maximum illumination transfer into the eye without translation, and optionally incorporating a two-dimensional scanning device for scanning the retina with collimated light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional scanning laser ophthalmoscope systems are used, then retinal imaging function is achieved, but manufacturing cost is high and device size is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex laser scanning elements (polygon mirror, galvanometer mirrors) and scan transfer mirror from the optical system. By removing these expensive and complex components, the system achieves lower manufacturing cost and smaller size while maintaining retinal imaging capability through direct wide-angle illumination and imaging optics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a wide-angle lens to create a wide field of view that captures a large portion of the retina in a single image, effectively copying the retinal scene without requiring mechanical scanning. This approach replaces the need for complex scanning mechanisms with a static wide-angle optical system
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional scanning laser ophthalmoscope systems are used, then retinal imaging function is achieved, but device size is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the large scanning mechanisms (rotating polygon mirror, motor-driven mirrors) and scan transfer optics from the system. This extraction of bulky components directly reduces device size and improves compactness while the wide-angle lens maintains full retinal imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the illumination and imaging functions into a more integrated optical path, eliminating the need for separate scan transfer mirrors and complex scanning element assemblies. This consolidation reduces the overall device footprint while maintaining imaging functionality
3Loss of energy
If conventional scanning laser ophthalmoscope systems are used, then retinal imaging function is achieved, but optical efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes multiple optical interfaces introduced by scan transfer mirrors and scanning elements. By eliminating these additional optical surfaces, the system reduces light loss through reflections and absorptions, thereby improving optical efficiency while maintaining imaging function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the illumination and imaging optical paths more directly, reducing the number of separate optical components and interfaces. This merging eliminates redundant optical elements that would otherwise cause light loss, improving overall optical efficiency
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 solution reduces manufacturing costs, compactness, and increases optical efficiency, allowing for ultra-wide illumination of the retina while avoiding physical contact and minimizing distortion, thereby improving imaging and treatment capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the illumination transfer device has two foci and the apparent point source of the lens system is provided at a first focus point of the illumination transfer device and an eye is accommodated at a second focus point of the illumination transfer device, and wherein the illumination transfer device transfers the incident illumination from the apparent point source into the eye
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus (10; 100) for imaging a retina (12) of an eye (14). The apparatus (10) comprises a wide-angle lens system (18) configured to output light from a light source (16) and receive light from the retina (12) when the apparatus (10; 100) is used to image the retina (12), and a light transfer device (20; 200, 20) having a first focus point (20a; 200a) where the wide-angle lens system (18) is provided, and a second focus point (20b) where the eye (14) is located when the apparatus (10) is used to image the retina (12). The apparatus (10; 100) further comprises a detector (50; 52) configured to receive the light from the retina (12) through the wide-angle lens system (18) when the apparatus (10; 100) is used to image the retina (12). The light transfer device (20; 200, 20) is configured to transfer the light from the wide-field lens system (18) into the eye (14) and the light from the retina (12) into the wide-angle lens system (18) when the apparatus (10; 100) is used to image the retina (12).