Rotatable Slit Lamp Imaging for Multi-Depth Eye Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic imaging devices lack flexibility and precision in adjusting focal depth and alignment for comprehensive eye examination, particularly in capturing multiple focal planes and aligning imaging systems relative to the eye.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a movable base, rotatable illumination and observation system support arms, and adjustable optical assemblies, along with a controller to adjust focal depths and rotational positions, enabling precise imaging and alignment of the eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional slit lamp with fixed optical path is used, then the device structure is simple, but the flexibility in adjusting focal depth and alignment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability by making the observation system rotatable relative to the illumination system through a rotatable support arm mechanism. This allows the optical path and focal plane to be dynamically adjusted during examination, enabling comprehensive imaging of different eye structures (anterior segment, posterior segment, vitreous cavity) without requiring multiple fixed devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The medical device integrates multiple functions into a single system: illumination system, observation system with multiple cameras, and rotatable support arms. This universal device can perform various eye examinations (slit lamp examination, fundus imaging, anterior segment imaging) that previously required separate specialized devices, thereby improving adaptability while consolidating complexity into one integrated platform.
2Measurement precision
If multiple separate imaging devices are used to capture different focal planes, then comprehensive eye coverage is achieved, but the alignment precision between systems is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging functions (illumination, observation, multiple cameras) into a single integrated medical device with a shared optical path and common coordinate system. The illumination system and observation system are merged on a unified platform with rotatable support arms, ensuring precise alignment between illumination and imaging axes while capturing multiple focal planes through coordinated rotation and focal adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the observation system is fixed relative to the illumination system, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to capture multiple focal planes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The observation system is made dynamic through the rotatable support arm mechanism, allowing rotation around the illumination system's optical axis. This dynamic configuration enables the observation system to access different angular positions and focal planes, capturing images of various eye structures (cornea, iris, lens, vitreous, retina) that would be inaccessible with a fixed observation system.
4Productivity
If manual adjustment of focal depth is used, then the operation is simple, but the efficiency and accuracy of comprehensive eye examination is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates coordinated control between the rotatable support arm mechanism and the focal adjustment mechanism. As the observation system rotates to different positions, the focal depth is automatically adjusted to maintain optimal focus on the target eye structure. This feedback-based coordinated control improves examination efficiency and accuracy while managing operational complexity through integrated control logic.
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 flexible and precise imaging of the eye by adjusting focal depths and aligning the imaging system relative to the eye, capturing multiple focal planes with improved accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination system including at least one source producing light to illuminate the eye
Implementation Method 2
an observation system including a plurality of cameras each configured to receive imaging rays produced by reflection of light from the eye of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
Medical devices and methods of use are disclosed to exam an eye of a patient. A medical device may include a digital projector as part of an illumination system. A medical device may include one or more cameras as part of an observation system to capture reflected light from the eye. The observation system may include one or more adjustable optical systems. The digital projector may produce a slit of light to be projected onto the eye. The slit of light and the observation system may be focused at a plurality of focal depths within the eye.