Vortex Vein Mapping in Fundus Images for Follow-Up Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a desire for effective follow-up observations of vortex vein positions in fundus images, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

An image processing method and device that identify the positions of vortex veins in fundus images, generate data for a vortex vein map, and display these positions using a processor and memory system, enabling precise detection and tracking of vortex veins relative to the optic nerve head and macular.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vortex vein positions are identified from multiple fundus images and a vortex vein map is generated, then follow-up observation capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefollow-up observation capabilityVSAvoidprocessing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the complex task of vortex vein analysis into distinct functional modules: a processor that identifies vortex vein positions in individual fundus images, and a mapping function that integrates these positions across multiple images to generate a vortex vein map. This modular segmentation enables systematic follow-up observation while managing system complexity through functional decomposition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If precise vortex vein position identification is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevortex vein position accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a simplified representation (vortex vein map) that copies and integrates position information from multiple fundus images. By working with this condensed map data rather than processing all original images continuously, the system maintains high measurement precision for vortex vein positions while significantly reducing the time required for follow-up observations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20260094298A1Image processing method, image processing device, and program for vortex vein detection in fundus images

Publication Date: 2026.04.02 NIKON CORP

AI summary

A processor identifies a first position of a vortex vein from a first fundus image, identifies a second position of the vortex vein from a second fundus image, and generates data of a screen to display the first position and the second position.