Rodent Eye Imaging Mount with Multi-Axis Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Precise alignment of small animal eyes, such as rodents, for ophthalmic imaging is challenging due to their small size and unique optics, which complicates the acquisition of high-quality images using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and other imaging systems.
Innovation Solution
A high-throughput imaging system with a mount providing multiple degrees of freedom for precise alignment of the animal eye, including rotational and translational adjustments, a bite bar for stabilization, and specialized optics tailored to the ocular structure of rodents, allowing for accurate positioning of the nodal point and optimal image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hand-held OCT probe is used, then imaging breakthroughs are enabled, but fine control over the angles between the optical axis of the OCT probe and the axis of the rodent eye is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms including a goniometer for angular positioning and a micrometer-driven translation stage for precise linear movement. These dynamic components allow real-time modification of the probe's orientation and position relative to the rodent eye, enabling fine control over imaging angles and distances that were previously unattainable with fixed hand-held probes.
2Measurement precision
If micro-level manipulations are performed to enable good quality imaging, then image quality improves, but the complexity of the alignment process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces several intermediary components to simplify the alignment process: alignment pins that provide mechanical reference points, a goniometer that serves as an intermediate angular adjustment device, and a micrometer stage that mediates precise linear positioning. These intermediaries break down the complex alignment task into manageable, standardized adjustments, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining high imaging precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the subject is repositioned to switch between eyes, then imaging of both eyes is possible, but time is lost due to repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is designed with universal functionality to accommodate bilateral imaging. The rodent head is secured in a position where both eyes are accessible to the imaging probe through the multi-axis adjustment capabilities. The goniometer and translation stage work together to enable rapid switching between left and right eye imaging without requiring complete repositioning of the subject, allowing the same setup to serve multiple imaging functions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for imaging structures of a subject are provided. The subject has an optical axis, a pupil, and a nodal point. The system includes an image capture device; a first structure including a mount for the subject to be imaged by the image capture device, the first structure providing at least two rotational degrees of freedom; a second structure including a mount for the image capture device, the second structure providing at least two translational degrees of freedom; and a means for aligning the image capture device in relation to the optical axis, the pupil, and the nodal point of the subject.