Synchronized Ophthalmic Image Display for Temporal Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ophthalmic observation systems lack the capability to efficiently compare images of the same portion of an examinee's eye obtained at different dates and times, limiting effective follow-up and analysis.

Innovation Solution

An ophthalmic observation apparatus connected to an ophthalmic photographing apparatus, utilizing a CPU, mouse, and monitor to display and synchronize tomographic images from different dates, allowing adjustment of display scale and region, with options for synchronizing or non-synchronizing modes to facilitate comparison.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If only the selected eye image is displayed on the monitor, then the display is simple and clear, but the capability to visually compare images from different dates is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay simplicityVSAvoidcomparison capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the display into multiple independent image regions, allowing simultaneous display of multiple eye images from different dates. Each image can be independently selected and positioned, enabling visual comparison while maintaining display organization and clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If multiple eye images are displayed simultaneously, then comparison capability is improved, but display complexity and difficulty of image alignment increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomparison capabilityVSAvoiddisplay complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic image alignment with feedback mechanisms that detect image features and adjust display positions to achieve optimal alignment. The system provides visual feedback during the alignment process, allowing operators to verify and adjust the positioning of multiple images for accurate comparison.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an image processing and alignment system that acts as an intermediary between the raw images and the display. This intermediary automatically performs feature detection, image registration, and positioning adjustments, reducing the complexity of manual alignment while enabling effective multi-image comparison.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If images from different dates are compared, then follow-up analysis is improved, but time required for image selection and preparation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefollow-up analysis accuracyVSAvoidimage preparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary image processing, including automatic feature detection, image registration, and alignment calculations, before the images are displayed for comparison. This preliminary preparation reduces the time required during the actual comparison process, allowing rapid follow-up analysis of multiple dates while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2233065B8Ophthalmic observation apparatus
Publication Date: 2015.11.25 NIDEK CO LTD

AI summary

An ophthalmic observation apparatus that is capable of performing follow-up of an examinee's eye efficiently and suitably. The ophthalmic observation apparatus for observing an image of an examinee's eye that is obtained by an ophthalmic photographing apparatus includes an input device arranged to output an operation signal given by an examiner, a monitor, and a display control unit arranged to display a first image and a second image of a same portion of the examinee's eye that are obtained at different dates and times of examination on the monitor in a comparable manner, and when changing a display region of the image of the examinee's eye based on the operation signal outputted from the input device, synchronize the change of the display region between the first image and the second image.