Ophthalmic Scanning Device with Synchronized Fixation Light

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ophthalmic devices face limitations in installation location due to the fixation optical system, which restricts the presentation of fixation targets.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a scanning optical system with a fixation light source and a fixation light scanning section synchronized to the scanning optical system to maintain the fixation target's position during scanning, ensuring it does not move beyond a specific distance, and a control method to guide the eye's orientation by illuminating the fixation target at a corresponding position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixation optical system is used to present fixation targets, then the examined eye can be guided to maintain proper orientation, but the installation location is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeye orientation guidanceVSAvoidinstallation location flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fixation target presentation function with the existing scanning optical system by illuminating the fixation target through the same optical path used for scanning. This integration eliminates the need for a separate fixation optical system, thereby removing installation location limitations while maintaining eye orientation guidance capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The scanning optical system is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both scanning imaging and fixation target presentation simultaneously. The light source and optical path serve dual purposes: scanning the examined eye for imaging and presenting the fixation target for orientation guidance, thus eliminating the need for dedicated fixation optics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If the scanning optical system scans the examined eye, then a wide field of view can be imaged, but the fixation target moves beyond a specific distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of viewVSAvoidfixation target position

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation target position is predetermined at the center of the scanned area before scanning begins. The scanning optical system is configured to maintain this predetermined position as the reference point throughout the scanning process, ensuring the fixation target remains stable at the center while the scanning covers a wide field of view

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback control where the position of the fixation target is continuously monitored and adjusted during scanning. The control unit receives information about the scanning position and adjusts the fixation target illumination to maintain it at the center of the scanned area, preventing displacement beyond a specific distance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12446768B2Ophthalmic device, control method of ophthalmic device, and program storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 NIKON CORP

AI summary

An ophthalmic device including a scanning optical system configured to scan an examined eye with light from a light source, a fixation light source configured to illuminate fixation light onto the examined eye through the scanning optical system so as to function as a fixation target, and a fixation light scanning section configured to scan the fixation light synchronized to scanning of the scanning optical system such that an illuminated fixation target does not move a specific distance or greater due to scanning of the scanning optical system.