Triangulation-Interferometry Hybrid Eye Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmological measuring devices face limitations in geometric precision due to movement artifacts from eye movements, with triangulating methods restricted to the front eye region and interferometric methods having reduced depth measurement ranges at high lateral resolution.
Innovation Solution
Combining an optical, triangulating first measurement system with an optical, interferometric second measurement system to determine geometric structures, allowing for high optical resolution in the anterior chamber and positioning of detailed structures without significant movement artifacts, thereby enhancing the depth measurement range and visibility beyond the front eye region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If triangulating measurement methods are used, then movement artifacts are reduced, but the measurement region is limited to the front eye region
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into two separate measurement systems: a triangulating first measurement system for the front eye region and an interferometric second measurement system for the posterior chamber region. Each system is optimized for its specific measurement region, allowing the front eye region to be measured with high geometric precision while extending the overall measurement region to include the posterior chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring device is designed as a multi-functional system that combines two different measurement principles (triangulation and interferometry) in a single instrument. This allows the device to measure both the front eye region with high geometric precision and the posterior chamber region, achieving universality across different eye regions.
2Area of stationary object
If interferometric methods are used, then the measurement region extends to the posterior chamber, but movement artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the measurement tasks by assigning the interferometric second measurement system specifically to the posterior chamber region where triangulation cannot reach, while the triangulating first measurement system handles the front eye region. This segmentation allows each system to operate in its optimal performance zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes data from both measurement systems, combines the measurement results, and reconciles the different measurement principles. It integrates the high-precision front eye region data from triangulation with the extended region data from interferometry, producing a complete three-dimensional model.
3Measurement precision
If high lateral resolution is achieved in interferometric methods, then depth measurement range is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement space is segmented such that the triangulating first measurement system handles the front eye region with its adequate depth range, while the interferometric second measurement system is configured specifically for the posterior chamber region. This segmentation allows each system to operate within its optimal depth range while maintaining high lateral resolution where needed.
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
This combination reduces impairment from movement artifacts, enabling cost-effective, high-resolution geometric structure determination across the eye, including regions not visible to triangulating methods, and allowing the use of slower, more cost-effective interferometric techniques with greater depth measurement ranges.
Implementation Method 1
The first measuring device comprises a known optical coherence interferometer (PCI=partial coherence interferometry, OCT=optical coherence tomography) operating in the time or frequency domain
Implementation Method 2
a first measuring device for determining the axial length and a second measuring device for registering a plurality of structures in the front section... with sections, radii and/or angles of refraction being determined from the slice images
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmological measuring device for determining geometric structures in an eye includes an optical, triangulating measurement system for determining at least one geometric reference in the eye by triangulation, and an optical, interferometric measurement system for determining geometric detailed structures in the eye by optical interferometry. The measuring device is designed to position the geometric detailed structures determined by the interferometric measurement system on the basis of the at least one geometric reference in the eye determined by the triangulating measurement system. This firstly allows the interferometric measurement system to register geometric detailed structures in the eye with a high optical resolution and at places that are not visible to the triangulating measurement system, and secondly allows the positioning of said geometric detailed structures in the eye on the basis of geometric references that are determined by the triangulating measurement system without significant movement artifacts.