Retinal Imaging Apparatus with Dual-View Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ophthalmic apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring the treatment location on the retina due to limitations in displaying the fundus oculi region, making it difficult for operators to align the visual field with the correct location for laser treatments, especially for inexperienced users.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic apparatus that includes a first image unit for capturing the fundus oculi region and a second image unit for capturing the local region viewed by the operator, with a control unit mapping the local region image to the fundus oculi image, aided by image analysis and display units, and optionally using grids for accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional ophthalmic apparatus displays only a local portion of the retinal image through a view finder, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because operators cannot check the correspondence between the viewed location and the entire retina
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second dimension of display by showing both the local retinal image viewed through the view finder and the corresponding location on the entire retinal image simultaneously on a display unit. This dual-display approach allows operators to understand the spatial relationship between the local view and the whole retina without adding physical complexity to the optical path, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining acceptable device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If an operator lacks experience in retinal imaging, then the ease of operation is reduced, but the device complexity remains the same, making it difficult to move the visual field to the correct operation location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by displaying the corresponding location on the entire retinal image based on the current view finder position. This visual feedback allows operators, especially inexperienced ones, to understand where they are looking and adjust the view finder position accordingly to reach the target treatment location, thereby improving ease of operation and measurement precision simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit acts as an intermediary between the view finder and the treatment target. It provides a map-like representation that shows the relationship between the local view and the entire retina, serving as a guide for operators to navigate to the correct treatment location without requiring extensive experience or mental spatial transformation.
3Measurement precision
If the retinal image is displayed without photographing the fundus oculi region, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates because it is difficult to measure a more accurate location of the retina
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy or map of the entire retinal image including the fundus oculi region, and displays it alongside the local view. This copied representation provides a comprehensive reference framework that enables accurate location measurement without requiring the optical system to physically capture and display the entire fundus, thus improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an ophthalmic apparatus and to a treatment site measuring method for the apparatus. The ophthalmic apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a first image unit for capturing the lower region of a retina so as to generate an image of the captured retina; a second image unit for capturing the local region of the retina indicated by a surgical operator so as to generate an image of the captured local region of the retina; and a control unit for mapping the image of the local region of the retina generated by the second image unit to the image of the retina generated by the first image unit based on the image of the retina generated by the first image unit.