Device for examining the anterior part of the eye by retro-illumination of said anterior part of the eye
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for examining the anterior segment of the eye using retroillumination struggle with complex structures and incomplete elimination of specular and diffuse reflections, limiting high-resolution imaging of the entire cornea and lens, especially eccentric areas, which are crucial for early disease detection.
Innovation Solution
A device with modulation means to selectively illuminate the eye, creating unilluminated areas to avoid specular reflections, combined with polarization and imaging systems to capture high-quality images without reflections, using LED illumination and optical components like shutters and spatial light modulators for dynamic reflection suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional retroillumination devices are used, then imaging of the anterior segment is possible, but specular reflections from the cornea and lens obscure certain areas and reduce image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination beam is segmented into multiple discrete beams directed at different locations on the eye. By controlling each beam independently, the system can illuminate specific areas while leaving others unilluminated, thereby avoiding specular reflections from problematic areas like the cornea and lens while still obtaining sufficient light for imaging through retroillumination from the retina.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the eye receive different illumination treatments. The modulation means create a pattern where some areas are illuminated and others are not, based on local requirements. This allows the system to optimize illumination for each specific area, avoiding reflections from areas where they would be harmful while maintaining illumination in areas where it is beneficial.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the light source is manually moved during examination, then reflections can be shifted to observe different areas, but the entire cornea or lens cannot be captured in a single photograph
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls multiple illumination beams independently through modulation means. Instead of physically moving the light source, the system can electronically switch between illuminating different areas, capturing multiple regions in a single exposure. This dynamic control allows the entire cornea or lens to be captured in one photograph while maintaining the flexibility to highlight specific areas of interest.
3Measurement precision
If asymmetric fundus retroillumination is used, then high-resolution images of the central cornea can be obtained, but eccentric areas of the cornea cannot be imaged due to iris obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different illumination strategies to different regions of the eye. For the central cornea, asymmetric illumination provides high resolution. For eccentric areas, the modulation means redirect illumination paths to bypass the iris obstruction. This localized adaptation allows both central and peripheral areas to be imaged with appropriate optimization for each region.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accesses light paths from different spatial dimensions and angles to illuminate eccentric corneal areas. By using multiple illumination beams from different locations and the modulation means to control their paths, the system can reach areas blocked by the iris in conventional asymmetric illumination, effectively adding dimensional flexibility to the illumination geometry.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If polarization subsets are used to eliminate reflections, then some specular reflections are reduced, but the device becomes complex and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and eliminates the need for complex polarization optics by using a different approach - spatial modulation of the illumination beam. Instead of using polarization subsets to filter reflections, the modulation means directly control which areas are illuminated, preventing reflections at their source and simplifying the overall device architecture.
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
Enables high-resolution, glare-free imaging of the anterior segment, including eccentric areas, facilitating early detection of pathologies like Fuchs' corneal dystrophy and cataracts, with improved diagnostic accuracy and reduced system complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The light comes from a projection of light onto the eye from a light source
Implementation Method 2
tissues (cornea, iris, lens) illuminated by light backscattered by the pigmented epithelium under the retina
Implementation Method 3
modulation means configured to turn off at least one area of the light beam emitted from the light source and thus create at least one unilluminated area (UIA) on the surface of the eye
Implementation Method 4
the light reflected by the cornea retains its polarization
Implementation Method 5
The illumination light refracted to the retina is backscattered and depolarized by the retina
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for examining the anterior part of the eye by retro-illumination of said anterior part. This device has means for illuminating the eye, comprising a light source (1), and means for imaging the anterior part of the eye. The invention consists in the device further comprising means of modulating at least one region of the light beam emitted from the light source (1).