Slit Lamp Lens Opacity Mapping from Cross-Sectional Eye Scans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diaphanoscopy in slit lamp microscopes faces challenges in managing brightness and image quality, leading to subjective diagnosis and lack of three-dimensional opacity distribution, hindering quantitative analysis and automatic image analysis.
Innovation Solution
A slit lamp microscope with a scanner to collect cross-sectional images and a data processor to generate three-dimensional opacity distribution information, enabling three-dimensional reconstruction and segmentation of crystalline lens images, and creating opacity and transmissivity distribution maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If diaphanoscopy is used for anterior eye segment observation, then it is possible to depict intraocular conditions using retinal reflection, but it becomes difficult to manage or control the brightness and image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical reflection mechanism of diaphanoscopy with active illumination using infrared light and time-of-flight measurement. Instead of relying on retinal reflection of visible light, the system uses infrared illuminators to actively light the target and measures the time for light to travel to and from the crystalline lens, converting an passive optical method into an active measurement system that enables precise control of brightness and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces infrared light as an intermediary substance to overcome the limitations of visible light in diaphanoscopy. Infrared light serves as a mediator that can penetrate the eye without causing phototoxicity while allowing precise control of illumination intensity. The system uses infrared illuminators to provide controlled illumination and infrared cameras to detect the reflected light, creating an intermediary measurement path that bypasses the brightness control issues of direct visible light reflection.
2Loss of information
If diaphanoscopy is used, then transillumination images can be obtained, but the images are planar and lack three-dimensional opacity distribution information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar imaging to three-dimensional volumetric imaging by measuring the time-of-flight of infrared light at multiple depths. The system captures reflectance information at different axial positions (Z-direction) and combines it with lateral (X-Y plane) scanning to reconstruct the full three-dimensional opacity distribution of the crystalline lens, adding the depth dimension that was missing in conventional diaphanoscopy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary depth-resolved measurement by scanning through different focal positions along the optical axis before final image reconstruction. The system pre-acquires reflectance data at multiple axial positions and stores this three-dimensional data set, which is then processed to generate opacity distribution maps. This preliminary acquisition of depth information enables subsequent accurate three-dimensional reconstruction and quantitative analysis.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional slit lamp observation is used, then the entire anterior eye segment can be observed, but quantitative diagnosis is hindered by subjective image interpretation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the observation from qualitative visual assessment to quantitative measurement by changing the measurement parameters from subjective brightness perception to objective time-of-flight data and reflectance intensity values. The system measures the time for infrared light to travel to and from different structures, providing precise depth information, and quantifies opacity as reflectance percentage at each depth position, enabling automated analysis and objective diagnosis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the human observer's visual interpretation system with an automated infrared measurement and processing system. Instead of relying on a clinician's subjective assessment of visible light images, the system uses infrared illuminators and cameras to automatically capture time-resolved reflectance data, processes this data through algorithms to generate opacity distribution maps, and provides quantitative metrics for automated diagnosis and monitoring.
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 objective evaluation of opacity and transmissivity distribution, providing three-dimensional information for improved diagnosis and enabling quantitative analysis.
Implementation Method 1
A slit lamp microscope with a scanner to collect cross-sectional images
Implementation Method 2
generate opacity distribution information that represents a distribution of an opaque area in a crystalline lens
Data Source
AI summary
A slit lamp microscope of an aspect example includes a scanner and a data processor. The scanner is configured to scan an anterior segment of a subject's eye with slit light to collect a plurality of cross sectional images. The data processor is configured to generate opacity distribution information that represents a distribution of an opaque area in a crystalline lens, based on the plurality of cross sectional images collected by the scanner.