Smartphone Close-up Imaging Device for Anterior Eye and Fundus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional close-up imaging devices for eye examinations are cumbersome, limited in functionality, and unable to simultaneously capture images of both the anterior eye and eye ground, requiring skilled operators and being unsuitable for research or widespread use due to their complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A portable close-up imaging device for smartphones, featuring a dual optical path system with a reflecting member and adjustable components like focus and irradiation position parts, allowing for detachable attachments such as color filters and slit light forming members to facilitate imaging of both anterior eyes and eye grounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a handheld slit lamp biomicroscope is used for portability, then mobility is improved, but operation difficulty increases and imaging capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination function and imaging function into a single integrated device. The mobile terminal (smartphone) provides both the light source for illumination and the camera for imaging, eliminating the need for separate handheld slit lamp biomicroscope and camera equipment. This merging simplifies the system while maintaining portability and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile terminal serves multiple functions: it acts as the light source for illuminating the eye, the camera for capturing images, and the processing unit for analyzing the images. This multi-functionality replaces multiple specialized devices, making the system more portable and easier to operate while maintaining comprehensive imaging capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If a specialized imaging device is used to capture eye images, then imaging precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical path conversion unit as an intermediary between the mobile terminal's camera and the eye being examined. This unit includes lenses and mirrors that guide and focus light from the mobile terminal's light source onto the eye and direct the reflected light to the camera. This intermediary system enables precise imaging while keeping the overall device simple by using the existing mobile terminal hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical imaging systems (such as traditional slit lamp biomicroscopes with multiple moving parts and adjustment mechanisms) with a simplified system based on optical paths and a fixed camera. The mobile terminal's camera and processing capabilities substitute for complex mechanical adjustment and viewing systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining imaging precision.
3Device complexity
If a single optical path is used for imaging, then device simplicity is maintained, but imaging versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a switchable optical path system where the optical path conversion unit can dynamically switch between different imaging modes. The system can alternate between anterior eye imaging path and eye ground imaging path based on examination requirements. This dynamic switching capability provides imaging versatility while maintaining relative device simplicity through a unified modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical path conversion unit is segmented into different functional modules that can be independently configured for different imaging purposes. The system divides the imaging capability into separate optical paths for anterior eye imaging and eye ground imaging, allowing each module to be optimized for its specific function while being part of an integrated system that maintains overall simplicity.
4Reliability
If conventional imaging devices are used for eye examinations, then diagnostic capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a mobile terminal (smartphone) as the imaging device, which is a relatively low-cost, widely available consumer electronics product compared to specialized medical imaging equipment. By leveraging the existing camera and processing capabilities of smartphones, the system provides reliable diagnostic capability at a fraction of the cost of traditional ophthalmic imaging devices, making eye examinations more accessible.
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 easy, accurate, and cost-effective imaging of both anterior eyes and eye grounds, enhancing diagnostic capabilities and research applications by providing a portable, user-friendly tool for ophthalmic examinations and improving accessibility for both human and animal subjects.
Implementation Method 1
the optical path switching part includes a reflecting member capable of reflecting the light from the light source, the first optical path is formed by light from the light source not being reflected by the reflecting member, and the second optical path is formed by light from the light source being reflected by the reflecting member
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a close-up imaging device whereby both imaging of an anterior eye and imaging of an eye ground can easily be performed by attaching the device to a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. The above-described problem is solved by a close-up imaging device (1B) detachably mounted to a mobile terminal (9) equipped with a light source (92) and a camera lens (91) for imaging, comprising a color filter member (97) detachably provided above the light source (92), and a convex lens member (93) detachably provided above the camera lens (91). Imaging, of an anterior eye is performed by removing the color filter member (97) and attaching the convex lens member (93), and observation of an injury of the anterior eye is performed by attaching the color filter member (97) and the convex lens member (93). The close-up imaging device (1B) may further detachably comprise a slit light forming member that forms light from the light source (92) into slit light by a cylindrical lens, and a tubular member including a convex lens at a tip end thereof.