JP5913519B2 - Fundus observation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fundus oculi observation device that forms a fundus image of an eye to be examined.

  In recent years, optical coherence tomography (OCT), which forms an image representing the surface form and internal form of an object to be measured using a light beam from a laser light source or the like, has attracted attention. Since OCT has no invasiveness to the human body like X-ray CT, it is expected to be applied particularly in the medical field and the biological field. For example, in the field of ophthalmology, an apparatus for forming an image of the fundus, cornea, or the like has entered a practical stage (see Patent Document 1).

  Moreover, in order to observe the state of the fundus of the eye to be examined, a technique for taking an image using a fundus camera is known (see Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3).

  When photographing with OCT or a fundus camera, a fixation target is projected onto the subject's eye before photographing and the subject's eye is fixed. “Fixing” refers to projecting a fixation target toward the subject's eye and keeping the eye direction of the subject's eye constant. In fundus imaging, “fixation direction (fixation position)” can be regarded as “imaging region (target region)” on the assumption that fixation is performed reliably. Further, the “attention site” refers to a site that the examiner focuses on during observation. In ophthalmology, for example, there are an optic disc and a macula.

  Here, in order to confirm the outcome of the treatment, the progress of the medical condition, and the like, the attention site of the eye to be examined may be observed a plurality of times (hereinafter also referred to as “follow-up observation”). In this case, the image of the eye to be examined is acquired by performing fixations every time shooting is performed. Then, the follow-up observation is performed by comparing the regions of interest in the images of the plurality of eyes to be examined.

  In the follow-up observation, there is a demand for observing not only the site of interest but also changes in the peripheral region of the site of interest (for example, changes in blood vessels).

JP 11-325849 A JP 2008-295971 A JP 2006-247076 A

  Here, even if the position at which the fixation target is projected is the same, the line-of-sight direction may differ depending on the state of the eye or the shooting environment. Therefore, the position of the site of interest in the frame of the captured image differs for each obtained image.

  Therefore, when follow-up observation is performed using such an image, follow-up observation is possible for the region of interest, but blood vessels or the like in the surrounding area may not be displayed. Therefore, it may be difficult to perform desired observation.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. The object of the present invention is to display an image of a region of interest at the same position in a frame of each image when performing multiple imaging. An object of the present invention is to provide a fundus oculi observation device.

In order to achieve the above object, a fundus oculi observation device according to claim 1 has a fixation target projection unit that projects a fixation target whose projection position can be changed onto an eye to be examined. The image generation unit irradiates the fundus of the subject's eye in a fixed state with infrared light, receives infrared fundus reflected light, and generates an infrared image of the subject's eye. The specifying unit specifies position information of a site of interest in the infrared image. The storage unit stores the patient ID, the positional information of the identified attention site, and the projection position of the fixation target when the fundus reflection light is received. The input unit is provided for inputting a patient ID. When the patient ID is input by the input unit and a new infrared image of the eye to be examined is generated by the image generation unit, the displacement calculation unit is associated with the patient ID and stored in the storage unit in the past. out read location information of the site, and calculates a displacement between the past position information Desa read and the new location information of the target sites identified by the identification unit for the new infrared image. Control unit on the basis of the patient ID to the associated out reads the projection position of the fixation target stored in the storage unit, in the calculated and read past projection position displaced past the fixation target The fixation unit is projected by controlling the projection unit.
The fundus oculi observation device according to claim 2 is the fundus oculi observation device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a patient ID, position information of the identified region of interest, a projection position of the fixation target, and stored photographing mode associated with it, when the patient ID and the photographing mode is inputted by the input unit, the displacement calculating unit, attention has been stored in the storage unit the patient ID and associated to the shooting mode in the past site location information to calculate the displacement read out the, control unit, past the patient ID and out reads the projection position of the fixation target stored in the storage unit associated with the imaging mode, the past The fixation target projection unit is controlled based on the projection position and the calculated displacement to project the fixation target.
Further, the fundus oculi observation device according to claim 3 is the fundus oculi observation device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a patient ID, position information of the identified region of interest, a projection position of the fixation target, and When the imaging date and time are stored in association with each other, and the patient ID and the imaging date and time are input by the input unit, the displacement calculating unit previously stores the attention site that is stored in the storage unit in association with the patient ID and the imaging date and time. location information read out the calculated displacement, the control unit, past the patient ID and associated with the shooting date and time out reads the projection position of the fixation target stored in the storage unit, the past The fixation target projection unit is controlled based on the projection position and the calculated displacement to project the fixation target.
Further, the fundus oculi observation device according to claim 4 is the fundus oculi observation device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a patient ID, position information of the identified region of interest, a projection position of the fixation target, and When the left and right information of the eye to be examined is stored in association with each other, and the patient ID and the left and right information of the eye to be examined are input by the input unit, the displacement calculation unit is associated with the patient ID and the left and right information in the past, and the storage unit and the position information of the stored area of interest out read to calculate the displacement, the control unit may read the projection position of the fixation target stored in the storage unit associated with the patient ID and the right information in the past The fixation target projection unit is controlled based on the past projection position and the calculated displacement, and the fixation target is projected.
Moreover, the fundus oculi observation device according to claim 5 is the fundus oculi observation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and includes a display unit. When there are a plurality of fixation target projection positions associated with the input content by the input unit, the control unit displays a list of the plurality of projection positions on the display unit, and selects one of the plurality of projection positions displayed in the list. When the projection position is selected by the input unit, the fixation target projection unit is controlled based on the selected projection position and the calculated displacement to project the fixation target.
The fundus oculi observation device according to claim 6 is the fundus oculi observation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the displacement calculation unit compares the calculated displacement with a threshold value. It has a comparison part. The displacement calculation unit, when the displacement is determined to be larger than the threshold value by the comparing unit performs processing to read out the projection position of the fixation target from the storage unit.
The fundus oculi observation device according to claim 7 includes a fixation target projection unit that projects a fixation target whose projection position can be changed onto the eye to be examined. The image generation unit irradiates the fundus of the subject's eye in a fixed state with infrared light, receives infrared fundus reflected light, and generates an infrared image of the subject's eye. The displacement calculation unit calculates the displacement between the infrared eye images generated by the image generation unit. The statistical value calculation unit calculates a statistical value representing a tendency of the movement of the eye to be examined based on the plurality of displacements calculated by the displacement calculation unit. The storage unit stores the patient ID, the projection position of the fixation target when the fundus reflection light is received, and the calculated statistical value in association with each other. The input unit is provided for inputting a patient ID. Control unit, when the patient ID is input by the input unit, out read in the past stored in the storage unit associated with the patient ID and a projection position and statistics, to the said projection position and the statistic Based on this, the fixation target projection unit is controlled to project the fixation target.
Further, the fundus oculi observation device according to claim 8, the fundus observation device according to claim 7, in the storage unit, the patient ID, the projection position of the fixation target, is calculated out statistical value and photographing mode It is associated and stored, when the patient ID and the photographing mode is inputted by the input unit, the control unit, the projection position and statistics stored in the storage unit associated with the patient ID and the shooting mode in the past out read, projecting the control to fixation target fixation target projecting unit on the basis of the said projection position and the statistical value.
The fundus oculi observation device according to claim 9 is the fundus oculi observation device according to claim 7, wherein the storage unit associates the patient ID, the fixation target projection position, the calculated statistical value, and the imaging date and time. is stored, when the patient ID and the shooting date and time are input by the input unit, the control unit may read the projection position and statistics stored in the storage unit associated with the patient ID and the shooting date in the past The fixation target projection unit is controlled based on the projection position and the statistical value to project the fixation target.
Further, the fundus oculi observation device according to claim 10 is the fundus oculi observation device according to claim 7, wherein the storage unit includes a patient ID, a projection position of the fixation target, a calculated statistical value, and left and right of the eye to be examined. information is stored in association, when the patient ID and the left and right information of the eye is input by the input unit, the control unit is stored in the storage unit associated with the patient ID and the right information in the past projection position and out read statistics, projecting the control to fixation target fixation target projecting unit on the basis of the said projection position and the statistical value.
The fundus oculi observation device according to claim 11 is the fundus oculi observation device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, and includes a display unit. When there are a plurality of fixation target projection positions associated with the input content by the input unit, the control unit displays a list of the plurality of projection positions on the display unit, and selects one of the plurality of projection positions displayed in the list. When the projection position is selected by the input unit, the fixation target projection unit is controlled to project the fixation target.
The fundus oculi observation device according to claim 12 is the fundus oculi observation device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a scanning unit that changes the irradiation position of the infrared light with respect to the eye to be examined is provided. Have. The control unit controls the operation of the scanning unit in a state in which the fixation target is projected at the projection position by the control of the fixation target projection unit.

  The fundus oculi observation device according to the present invention reads the projection position associated with the input patient ID from the storage unit, and controls the fixation target projection unit to project the fixation target onto the projection position. Therefore, even when imaging is performed a plurality of times, it is possible to display the image of the site of interest at the same position in the frame of each image.

  In addition, the fundus oculi observation device according to the present invention reads the projection position of the fixation target associated with the input patient ID from the storage unit, and controls the fixation target projection unit based on the projection position and the calculated displacement. Project the fixation target. Therefore, even if there is a shift (displacement) in the position information of the target region in the frame of each image between images acquired by multiple imaging, the projection position of the fixation target by the displacement of the target region By changing, it is possible to display the image of the site of interest at the same position in the frame of each image.

  Furthermore, according to the fundus oculi observation device according to the present invention, the projection position and the statistical value associated with the patient ID are read from the storage unit, the fixation target projection unit is controlled, and the projection position is changed based on the statistical value. . Therefore, even when there is a deviation (displacement) between images acquired by a plurality of shootings performed in the past, by adjusting the projection position of the fixation target in consideration of the statistical value of the displacement The image of the site of interest can be displayed at the same position in the frame of each image.

It is a schematic diagram showing an example of composition of a fundus oculi observation device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of composition of a fundus oculi observation device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram showing an example of composition of an embodiment of a fundus observation device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the fundus observation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the fundus observation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram showing an example of composition of an embodiment of a fundus oculi observation device concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the fundus observation apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the fundus observation apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram showing an example of composition of an embodiment of a fundus observation device concerning a modification of a 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the fundus observation apparatus which concerns on the modification of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram showing an example of composition of an embodiment of a fundus observation device concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the fundus oculi observation device concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the fundus oculi observation device concerning a 3rd embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
The configuration of the fundus oculi observation device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the following embodiments, a configuration to which Fourier domain type optical coherence tomography is applied will be described in detail. In particular, in this embodiment, a fundus oculi observation device capable of acquiring both a tomographic image and a captured image of the fundus will be taken up. Note that an image acquired by optical coherence tomography may be referred to as an OCT image. In addition, a measurement operation for forming an OCT image may be referred to as OCT measurement.

<Configuration>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fundus oculi observation device 1 includes a fundus camera unit 2, an OCT unit 100, and an arithmetic control unit 200. The retinal camera unit 2 has almost the same optical system as a conventional retinal camera. The OCT unit 100 is provided with an optical system for acquiring an OCT image of the fundus. The arithmetic control unit 200 includes a computer that executes various arithmetic processes and control processes.

<Fundus camera unit>
The fundus camera unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with an optical system for forming a two-dimensional image (fundus image) representing the surface form of the fundus oculi Ef of the eye E to be examined. The fundus image includes an observation image and a captured image. The observation image is, for example, a monochrome moving image formed at a predetermined frame rate using infrared light (near infrared light). The captured image is a color image obtained by flashing visible light, for example. Note that the fundus camera unit 2 may be configured to acquire a fluorescent image or the like.

  Similar to the conventional fundus camera, the fundus camera unit 2 is provided with a chin rest and a forehead for supporting the subject's face so as not to move. Further, the fundus camera unit 2 is provided with an illumination optical system 10 and a photographing optical system 30 as in the conventional fundus camera. The illumination optical system 10 irradiates the fundus oculi Ef with illumination light. The photographing optical system 30 guides the fundus reflection light of the illumination light to the imaging device (CCD image sensors 35 and 38). The imaging optical system 30 guides the signal light from the OCT unit 100 to the fundus oculi Ef and guides the signal light passing through the fundus oculi Ef to the OCT unit 100. In the present embodiment, the photographing optical system 30 and the CCD image sensor 35 (or 38) are examples of the “image generation unit”.

  The observation light source 11 of the illumination optical system 10 is constituted by a halogen lamp, for example. Light (observation illumination light) output from the observation light source 11 is reflected by a reflection mirror 12 having a curved reflection surface, passes through a condensing lens 13, passes through a visible cut filter 14, and receives infrared light (near light). Infrared light). Further, the observation illumination light is once converged in the vicinity of the photographing light source 15, reflected by the mirror 16, and passes through the relay lenses 17 and 18, the diaphragm 19 and the relay lens 20. Then, the observation illumination light is reflected by the peripheral part (region around the hole part) of the perforated mirror 21 and illuminates the fundus oculi Ef via the objective lens 22. In the present embodiment, the observation illumination light is an example of “illumination light”.

  The fundus reflection light of the observation illumination light is refracted by the objective lens 22, passes through a hole formed in the central region of the aperture mirror 21, passes through the dichroic mirror 55, passes through the focusing lens 31, and then goes through the dichroic mirror. 32 is reflected. Further, the fundus reflection light passes through the half mirror 40, is reflected by the dichroic mirror 33, and forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 35 by the condenser lens 34. The CCD image sensor 35 detects fundus reflected light at a predetermined frame rate, for example. The display device 3 displays an image (observation image) K based on fundus reflected light detected by the CCD image sensor 35.

  The imaging light source 15 is constituted by, for example, a xenon lamp. The light (imaging illumination light) output from the imaging light source 15 is applied to the fundus oculi Ef through the same path as the observation illumination light. The fundus reflection light of the imaging illumination light is guided to the dichroic mirror 33 through the same path as that of the observation illumination light, passes through the dichroic mirror 33, is reflected by the mirror 36, and is reflected by the condenser lens 37 of the CCD image sensor 38. An image is formed on the light receiving surface. On the display device 3, an image (captured image) H based on fundus reflection light detected by the CCD image sensor 38 is displayed. The display device 3 that displays the observation image K and the display device 3 that displays the captured image H may be the same or different. In the present embodiment, the photographing illumination light is an example of “illumination light”.

  An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 39 displays a fixation target and an eyesight measurement target. The fixation target is a target for fixing the eye E to be examined, and is used at the time of fundus photographing or OCT measurement. In the present embodiment, the LCD 39 that projects the fixation target onto the eye to be examined is an example of the “fixation target projection unit”.

  The LCD 39 selectively turns on only a specific coordinate position (projection position of the fixation target) on the screen under the control of the control unit 211 (described later). A part of the light output from the LCD 39 is reflected by the half mirror 40, reflected by the dichroic mirror 32, passes through the focusing lens 31 and the dichroic mirror 55, and passes through the hole of the perforated mirror 21. The light is refracted by the objective lens 22 and projected onto the fundus oculi Ef.

  The LCD 39 can change the projection position of the fixation target on the screen. The fixation position of the eye E can be changed by changing the projection position of the fixation target. As the fixation position of the eye E, for example, a position for acquiring an image centered on the macular portion of the fundus oculi Ef, or a position for acquiring an image centered on the optic disc as in the case of a conventional fundus camera And a position for acquiring an image centered on the fundus center between the macula and the optic disc.

  The fixation target projection unit is not limited to the LCD 39. For example, it is possible to project a fixation target by arranging a panel having a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) instead of the LCD 39 and lighting any one of the LEDs.

  Further, the fundus camera unit 2 is provided with an alignment optical system 50 and a focus optical system 60 as in a conventional fundus camera. The alignment optical system 50 generates a visual target (alignment visual target) for performing alignment (alignment) of the apparatus optical system with respect to the eye E. The focus optical system 60 generates a visual target (split visual target) for focusing on the fundus oculi Ef.

  The light (alignment light) output from the LED 51 of the alignment optical system 50 is reflected by the dichroic mirror 55 via the apertures 52 and 53 and the relay lens 54, passes through the hole portion of the aperture mirror 21, and the objective lens 22. Is projected onto the cornea of the eye E.

  The corneal reflection light of the alignment light passes through the objective lens 22 and the hole, and a part thereof passes through the dichroic mirror 55, passes through the focusing lens 31, is reflected by the dichroic mirror 32, and passes through the half mirror 40. Then, it is reflected by the dichroic mirror 33 and projected onto the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 35 by the condenser lens 34. A light reception image (alignment target image) by the CCD image sensor 35 is displayed on the display device 3 together with the observation image K. The user performs alignment by performing the same operation as that of a conventional fundus camera. Further, the arithmetic control unit 200 may perform alignment by analyzing the position of the alignment target image and moving the optical system.

  When performing the focus adjustment, the reflecting surface of the reflecting rod 67 is obliquely provided on the optical path of the illumination optical system 10. The light (focus light) output from the LED 61 of the focus optical system 60 passes through the relay lens 62, is separated into two light beams by the split target plate 63, passes through the two-hole aperture 64, and is reflected by the mirror 65. The light is once focused on the reflecting surface of the reflecting bar 67 by the condenser lens 66 and reflected. Further, the focus light passes through the relay lens 20, is reflected by the perforated mirror 21, and forms an image on the fundus oculi Ef by the objective lens 22.

  The fundus reflection light of the focus light is detected by the CCD image sensor 35 through the same path as the cornea reflection light of the alignment light. The light reception image (split target image) by the CCD image sensor 35 is displayed on the display device 3 together with the observation image. The arithmetic control unit 200 analyzes the position of the split visual target image and moves the focusing lens 31 and the focus optical system 60 to focus, as in the conventional case. Alternatively, focusing may be performed manually while visually checking the split target.

  An optical path including a mirror 41, a collimator lens 42, and galvanometer mirrors 43 and 44 is provided behind the dichroic mirror 32. This optical path is guided to the OCT unit 100.

  The galvanometer mirror 44 scans the signal light LS from the OCT unit 100 in the x direction. The galvanometer mirror 43 scans the signal light LS in the y direction. By these two galvanometer mirrors 43 and 44, the signal light LS can be scanned in an arbitrary direction on the xy plane. In the present embodiment, the signal light LS is an example of “illumination light”.

<OCT unit>
The OCT unit 100 is provided with an optical system for acquiring a tomographic image of the fundus oculi Ef (see FIG. 2). This optical system has the same configuration as a conventional Fourier domain type OCT apparatus. That is, this optical system divides low-coherence light into reference light and signal light, and generates interference light by causing interference between the signal light passing through the fundus oculi Ef and the reference light passing through the reference optical path. It is configured to detect spectral components. This detection result (detection signal) is sent to the arithmetic control unit 200.

  The light source unit 101 outputs a broadband low-coherence light L0. The low coherence light L0 includes, for example, a near-infrared wavelength band (about 800 nm to 900 nm) and has a temporal coherence length of about several tens of micrometers.

  The low-coherence light L0 output from the light source unit 101 is guided to the fiber coupler 103 by the optical fiber 102 and split into the signal light LS and the reference light LR. The fiber coupler 103 functions as both a means for splitting light (splitter) and a means for combining light (coupler), but here it is conventionally referred to as a “fiber coupler”.

  The signal light LS is guided by the optical fiber 104 and becomes a parallel light beam by the collimator lens unit 105. Further, the signal light LS is reflected by the respective galvanometer mirrors 44 and 43, collected by the collimator lens 42, reflected by the mirror 41, transmitted through the dichroic mirror 32, and through the same path as the light from the LCD 39, the fundus oculi Ef. Is irradiated. The signal light LS is scattered and reflected on the fundus oculi Ef. The scattered light and reflected light may be collectively referred to as fundus reflected light of the signal light LS. The fundus reflection light of the signal light LS travels in the opposite direction on the same path and is guided to the fiber coupler 103.

  The reference light LR is guided by the optical fiber 106 and becomes a parallel light beam by the collimator lens unit 107. Further, the reference light LR is reflected by the mirrors 108, 109, 110, is attenuated by the ND (Neutral Density) filter 111, is reflected by the mirror 112, and forms an image on the reflection surface of the reference mirror 114 by the collimator lens 113. . The reference light LR reflected by the reference mirror 114 travels in the opposite direction on the same path and is guided to the fiber coupler 103.

  The fiber coupler 103 combines the fundus reflection light of the signal light LS and the reference light LR reflected by the reference mirror 114. The interference light LC thus generated is guided by the optical fiber 115 and emitted from the emission end 116. Further, the interference light LC is converted into a parallel light beam by the collimator lens 117, dispersed (spectral decomposition) by the diffraction grating 118, condensed by the condenser lens 119, and projected onto the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 120.

  The CCD image sensor 120 is, for example, a line sensor, and detects each spectral component of the split interference light LC and converts it into electric charges. The CCD image sensor 120 accumulates this electric charge and generates a detection signal. Further, the CCD image sensor 120 sends this detection signal to the arithmetic control unit 200.

  In this embodiment, a Michelson type interferometer is employed, but any type of interferometer such as a Mach-Zehnder type can be appropriately employed. Further, in place of the CCD image sensor, another form of image sensor such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor can be used.

<Calculation control unit>
The configuration of the arithmetic control unit 200 will be described. The arithmetic control unit 200 analyzes the detection signal input from the CCD image sensor 120 and forms an OCT image of the fundus oculi Ef. The arithmetic processing for this is the same as that of a conventional Fourier domain type OCT apparatus.

  The arithmetic control unit 200 controls each part of the fundus camera unit 2, the display device 3, and the OCT unit 100. For example, the arithmetic and control unit 200 displays an OCT image such as a tomographic image G (see FIG. 2) of the fundus oculi Ef on the display device 3.

  As the control of the fundus camera unit 2, the arithmetic control unit 200 controls the operation of the observation light source 11, the imaging light source 15 and the LEDs 51 and 61, the operation control of the LCD 39, the movement control of the focusing lens 31, and the movement control of the reflector 67. Further, movement control of the focus optical system 60, operation control of the galvanometer mirrors 43 and 44, and the like are performed.

  As control of the OCT unit 100, the arithmetic control unit 200 performs operation control of the light source unit 101, movement control of the reference mirror 114 and collimator lens 113, operation control of the CCD image sensor 120, and the like.

  The arithmetic control unit 200 includes, for example, a microprocessor, a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk drive, a communication interface, etc., as in a conventional computer. A computer program for controlling the fundus oculi observation device 1 is stored in a storage device such as a hard disk drive. The arithmetic control unit 200 may include a dedicated circuit board that forms an OCT image based on a detection signal from the CCD image sensor 120. The arithmetic control unit 200 may include an operation device (input device) such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device such as an LCD.

  The retinal camera unit 2, the display device 3, the OCT unit 100, and the arithmetic control unit 200 may be configured integrally (that is, in a single casing) or may be configured separately.

<Control system>
The configuration of the control system of the fundus oculi observation device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

<Control unit>
The control system of the fundus oculi observation device 1 is configured around the control unit 210 of the arithmetic control unit 200. The control unit 210 includes, for example, the aforementioned microprocessor, RAM, ROM, hard disk drive, communication interface, and the like.

  The control unit 210 is provided with a control unit 211 and a storage unit 212. The control unit 211 performs the various controls described above. In particular, the control unit 211 controls the scanning drive unit 70 and the focusing drive unit 80 of the fundus camera unit 2, and further the light source unit 101 and the reference drive unit 130 of the OCT unit 100.

  The scanning drive unit 70 includes, for example, a servo motor, and independently changes the directions of the galvanometer mirrors 43 and 44. In the present embodiment, the “scanning unit” includes a scanning drive unit 70 and galvanometer mirrors 43 and 44.

  The focusing drive unit 80 includes, for example, a pulse motor, and moves the focusing lens 31 in the optical axis direction. Thereby, the focus position of the light toward the fundus oculi Ef is changed.

  The reference driving unit 130 includes, for example, a pulse motor, and moves the collimator lens 113 and the reference mirror 114 integrally along the traveling direction of the reference light LR.

  In addition, the control unit 211 performs a process of writing data to the storage unit 212 and a process of reading data from the storage unit 212. Specifically, the control unit 211 uses the input unit 250 (described later) to determine the patient ID or the patient ID and other information (imaging mode, imaging date and time, left eye / right eye identification information (left / right information) of the eye E). And the like) is input, the control unit reads out the projection position of the fixation target associated with the patient ID from the storage unit 212.

  Further, the control unit 211 controls the LCD 39 based on the projection position of the fixation target read from the storage unit 212 to project the fixation target at the projection position. More specifically, the control unit 211 selectively turns on the pixels of the LCD 39 corresponding to the read projection position. As a result, the fixation target is projected onto the eye to be examined.

  Further, the control unit 211 operates the galvanometer mirrors 43 and 44 (scanning unit) in a state where the fixation target is projected at the projection position. That is, the control unit 211 controls the galvanometer mirrors 43 and 44 and the scan driving unit 70 to scan (scan) the eye E to be examined two-dimensionally (xy direction). Note that “scanning” includes the case of scanning in the depth direction (z direction) of the eye E. In this case, the control unit 211 also controls the operation of the light source unit 101 and the reference drive unit 130 in conjunction with the control of the galvanometer mirrors 43 and 44.

  The storage unit 212 stores various data. The data stored in the storage unit 212 includes, for example, image data of an OCT image, image data of a fundus image, a photographing mode when the image data is acquired, a projection position of a fixation target when the image data is acquired, a patient There are information about the subject such as ID and name, imaging date and time, and left / right eye identification information (left and right information). Further, when acquiring certain image data, the image data, patient ID, imaging mode, fixation target projection position, imaging date and time, and left / right information are associated with each other, for example, in the form of table data 212. The projection position of the fixation target is stored, for example, as a coordinate value of a pixel to be lit among a plurality of pixels of the LCD 39. The “imaging mode” is a mode for performing imaging so that the region of interest can be imaged and the peripheral region of the region of interest can be observed. The “imaging mode” includes, for example, a “macular imaging mode” in which the macular portion is imaged as an attention site, and an “optic nerve / macular imaging mode” in which both the optic disc and the macula are imaged as an attention site.

<Image forming unit>
The image forming unit 220 forms tomographic image data of the fundus oculi Ef based on the detection signal from the CCD image sensor 120. This process includes processes such as noise removal (noise reduction), filter processing, and FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) as in the conventional Fourier domain type optical coherence tomography.

  The image forming unit 220 includes, for example, the above-described circuit board and communication interface. In this specification, “image data” and “image” presented based on the “image data” may be identified with each other. In the present embodiment, the “image generation unit” includes the illumination optical system 10, the imaging optical system 30, the light source unit 101, the CCD image sensor 120, and the image forming unit 220.

<Image processing unit>
The image processing unit 230 performs various types of image processing and analysis processing on the image formed by the image forming unit 220 and the image acquired by the fundus camera unit 2. For example, the image processing unit 230 executes various correction processes such as image brightness correction and dispersion correction.

  In addition, the image processing unit 230 forms image data of a three-dimensional image of the fundus oculi Ef by performing an interpolation process for interpolating pixels between tomographic images formed by the image forming unit 220.

  The image processing unit 230 can form a tomographic image at an arbitrary cross section based on the image data of the three-dimensional image. In this process, for example, with respect to a cross section designated manually or automatically, pixels (voxels or the like) located on the cross section are specified, and the specified pixels are two-dimensionally arranged to determine the fundus oculi Ef in the cross section. It is executed by forming image data representing the form. By such processing, it is possible to acquire not only the cross section of the original tomographic image (the position of the scanning line of the signal light LS) but also an image in a desired cross section.

  The image processing unit 230 includes, for example, the above-described microprocessor, RAM, ROM, hard disk drive, circuit board, and the like.

<Display section>
The display unit 240 includes the display device of the arithmetic control unit 200 described above. In addition, the display unit 240 may include various display devices such as a touch panel monitor provided on the housing of the fundus camera unit 2.

<Input section>
The input unit 250 includes the input device of the arithmetic control unit 200 described above. In addition, the input unit 250 may include various buttons and keys provided on the housing of the fundus oculi observation device 1 or outside. For example, when the fundus camera unit 2 has a housing similar to that of a conventional fundus camera, the input unit 250 may include a joystick, an operation panel, or the like provided on the housing.

  The display unit 240 and the input unit 250 do not need to be configured as individual devices. For example, a device in which a display function and an input function are integrated, such as a touch panel monitor, can be used.

<About scanning of signal light and OCT image>
Here, the scanning of the signal light LS and the OCT image will be described.

  Examples of scanning modes of the signal light LS by the fundus oculi observation device 1 include horizontal scanning, vertical scanning, cross scanning, radiation scanning, circular scanning, concentric scanning, and spiral (vortex) scanning. These scanning modes are selectively used as appropriate in consideration of the observation site of the fundus, the analysis target (such as retinal thickness), the time required for scanning, the precision of scanning, and the like.

  Since the galvanometer mirrors 43 and 44 are configured to scan the signal light LS in directions orthogonal to each other, the signal light LS can be scanned independently in the x and y directions, respectively. Furthermore, by simultaneously controlling the directions of the galvanometer mirrors 43 and 44, it is possible to scan the signal light LS along an arbitrary locus on the xy plane. Thereby, various scanning modes as described above can be realized.

  By scanning the signal light LS in the manner as described above, a tomographic image in the depth direction (z direction) along the scanning line (scanning locus) can be formed. In particular, when the interval between scanning lines is narrow, a three-dimensional image can be formed.

<Operation of First Embodiment>
Next, with reference to FIG.4 and FIG.5, the memory | storage operation | movement and imaging | photography operation | movement which the fundus observation apparatus 1 performs are demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the storage operation of the fundus oculi observation device 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the photographing operation of the fundus oculi observation device 1. “Storage operation” refers to an operation in which the patient ID and the projection position of the fixation target are associated and stored in the storage unit 212. The “imaging operation” refers to an operation for performing imaging based on the projection position of the fixation target stored in the storage operation.

<Memory operation>
First, the examiner inputs the patient ID unique to the subject, the photographing date and time, and the left and right information of the eye E to be photographed using the input unit 250 (S10). When the patient ID is input, the control unit 211 can automatically specify the shooting date and time and the left and right information.

  Next, the inspector selects an imaging mode using the input unit 250 or the like (S11). In this operation example, it is assumed that the “optic disc imaging mode” for imaging the optic disc as a site of interest is selected.

  After the imaging mode is selected in S11, the alignment of the eye E is adjusted using the alignment optical system 50 (S12).

  Next, under the control of the control unit 211, the LCD 39 projects a fixation target corresponding to the imaging mode selected in S11 onto the eye E. Then, based on the fixation target, fixation of the eye E is performed (S13). The projection position of the fixation target on the LCD 39 is set in advance for each photographing mode, for example. That is, in this embodiment, since the “optic nerve head photographing mode” is selected in S11, the pixel (projection position) of the LCD 39 set to the photographing mode is lit as a default. However, the fixation direction of the eye E needs to be finely adjusted depending on the eye condition and the like. Therefore, it is also possible to change the projection position of the fixation target from the default to the optimum position by changing the pixels to be turned on after the pixels of the LCD 39 set in the photographing mode are turned on.

  Next, imaging by the OCT unit 100 is performed with respect to the eye E to be examined (S14). In this case, the optic disc and its surrounding area are photographed.

  The control unit 211 receives the patient ID input in S10, the imaging date / time and the left / right information of the eye E, the imaging mode selected in S11, the projection position of the fixation target in S13, and the image data acquired by imaging in S14. Is written in the storage unit 212. Then, the storage unit 212 stores them in association with each other (S15).

<Shooting operation>
When the follow-up observation is performed on the eye E taken at S14, the examiner first inputs the patient ID of the subject having the eye E through the input unit 250 or the like (S20). In addition, it is also possible to input any (or all) of the imaging mode, the imaging date and time, and the left and right information of the eye E together with the patient ID as necessary. In this case, for example, even when there are a plurality of projection positions of the fixation target associated with the patient ID, an arbitrary projection position can be specified on the condition of the imaging mode or the like.

  Based on the input of S20, the control unit 211 reads the projection position of the fixation target associated with the patient ID from the storage unit 212 (S21). Here, when there are a plurality of fixation target projection positions associated with the patient ID, the control unit 211 can display them in a list on the display device 3 or the display unit 240. In this case, the examiner can select a desired projection position of one fixation target from the list by using the input unit 250 or the like. In addition, it is also possible to specify an arbitrary projection position by inputting the shooting date and time, left and right information, etc. at that time.

  Next, the control unit 211 controls the operation of the LCD 39 based on the projection position of the fixation target read in S21 (S22). Specifically, the pixel of the LCD 39 corresponding to the projection position of the fixation target read in S21 is turned on.

  When the operation of the LCD 39 is controlled, the fixation target is projected onto the eye E, and the eye E is fixed (S23). That is, the eye E can be fixed based on the same projection position as that during the storage operation.

  After the fixation is made in S23, photographing by the OCT unit 100 is performed (S24). In this case, since the same fixation position as that obtained when photographing is performed in S15 is reproduced, the optic disc can be photographed at the same position as the position in the frame of the image obtained in S15. Image data acquired by imaging is stored in the storage unit 212 in a state associated with the patient ID.

  Then, by comparing the image based on the image data acquired in S14 and the image based on the image data acquired in S24, follow-up observation is possible (S25).

<Action and effect>
The operation and effect of the fundus oculi observation device 1 as described above will be described.

  The fundus oculi observation device 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image generation unit that irradiates the fundus oculi Ef of the subject eye E with illumination light, receives the fundus reflection light of the illumination light, and generates an image of the eye E to be examined. The fixation target projection unit (LCD 39) projects a fixation target whose projection position can be changed onto the eye E. The storage unit 212 stores the fixation target projection position when the fundus reflection light is received in association with the patient ID. The input unit 250 inputs a patient ID. When the patient ID is input by the input unit 250, the control unit 211 reads the projection position associated with the patient ID from the storage unit 212, and controls the LCD 39 to project the fixation target at the projection position.

  Therefore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to display the image of the site of interest at the same position in the frame of each image even when a plurality of imaging operations are performed. The “same position” includes substantially the same position. “Substantially the same” means that a certain image can be observed.

  Further, in the fundus oculi observation device 1 according to the present embodiment, the storage unit 212 stores the patient ID, the projection position of the fixation target, and the imaging mode (or the imaging date and time and the right and left information of the eye E) associated with each other. ing. When the patient ID and the imaging mode are input by the input unit 250, the control 211 unit reads out the fixation target projection position associated with the patient ID and the imaging mode from the storage unit 212, and the fixation target projection unit It is possible to project the fixation target at the projection position by controlling the (LCD 39).

  In addition, when there are a plurality of fixation target projection positions associated with a patient ID, the fundus observation device 1 according to the present embodiment displays a plurality of fixation target projection positions on the display unit 240 (display). It is possible to display a list on the device 3). When an arbitrary fixation target projection position is selected from the list by the input unit 250, the control unit 211 controls the fixation target projection unit (LCD 39) to move the fixation target to the selected projection position. Can be projected.

  Therefore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to specify the projection position of the fixation target desired by the examiner even when the projection positions of a plurality of fixation targets are associated with the patient ID. .

  Furthermore, the fundus oculi observation device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a scanning unit (galvanometer mirrors 43 and 44, scan driving unit 70) that changes the irradiation position of the illumination light with respect to the eye E. Then, the control unit 211 reads out the projection position associated with the patient ID input by the input unit 250 from the storage unit 212, controls the LCD 39 to project the fixation target at the projection position, and fixes the projection position to the projection position. Operation control of the galvanometer mirrors 43 and 44 is performed in a state where the target is projected.

  Therefore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, when imaging is performed a plurality of times, scanning in the depth direction can be performed at the same position as the projection position associated with the patient ID. A tomographic image at the same position can be acquired and displayed.

Second Embodiment
The configuration of the fundus oculi observation device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the configuration of the second embodiment has many of the same points as the configuration of the first embodiment, the description will focus on the different points.

  The image processing unit 230 in the present embodiment includes a specifying unit 231 and a displacement calculating unit 232.

  The specifying unit 231 specifies position information of a site of interest in the infrared image generated by the image generation unit. The “positional position information” refers to a position (coordinate value) where the focused area is displayed in the frame of the image.

  For example, the position of the target region is identified by measuring the luminance value of each pixel of the infrared image in the specifying unit 231 in accordance with the input of the imaging mode, and the region where the luminance value is equal to or greater than the threshold (pixel range where the luminance value is equal to or greater than the threshold) Is identified as a site of interest (for example, the optic nerve head). As the threshold value, a value determined in advance for each target region can be used. For example, a value obtained by averaging the luminance values of the optic disc portions in the past images of a plurality of subjects is used as the threshold value. Alternatively, the threshold value can be determined using the relative luminance value of each pixel and the shape of the region of interest. The threshold value is stored in the storage unit 212 or the like.

  As data stored in the storage unit 212 in the present embodiment, there is position information of the site of interest specified by the specifying unit 231. The patient ID, each image data, the imaging mode, the projection position of the fixation target, the imaging date / time, the left / right information, and the position information of the target region are stored in association with each other. The “positional position information of interest” in the present embodiment is a coordinate value of the attentional area.

When the patient ID is input by the input unit 250 and the infrared image is generated by the image generation unit, the displacement calculation unit 232 reads out the position information of the site of interest associated with the patient ID from the storage unit 212, The displacement between the position information specified by the specifying unit 231 for the infrared image and the read position information is calculated. For example, the position information of the site of interest read from the storage unit 212 is (X ₀ , Y ₀ ), and the position information of the site of interest specified for the newly imaged infrared image is (−X ₁ , −Y _1). ). In this case, the displacement calculation unit 232 calculates (X ₀ −X ₁ , Y ₀ −Y ₁ ) = (ΔX, ΔY) as the displacement, that is, the displacement of new position information with respect to the position information stored in the storage unit 212. To do.

  In addition to the functions in the first embodiment, the control unit 211 in the present embodiment reads the projection position of the fixation target associated with the patient ID from the storage unit 212 when the patient ID is input by the input unit 250. The fixation target projection unit (LCD 39) is controlled based on the projection position and the displacement calculated by the displacement calculation unit 232 to project the fixation target. Specifically, based on the displacement calculated by the displacement calculator 232, the projection position of the fixation target associated with the patient ID is changed, and control is performed to turn on the corresponding pixel of the LCD 39. For example, when the projection position of the fixation target associated with the patient ID is (x, y) and the displacement calculated by the displacement calculation unit 232 is (ΔX, ΔY), the control unit 211 calculates the displacement (ΔX, ΔY). It is converted into displacement (ΔX ′, ΔY ′) so as to match the scale of the LCD 39. Then, the control unit 211 turns on the corresponding pixel of the LCD 39 with the projection position of the fixation target as (x + ΔX ′, y + ΔY ′). Thereafter, imaging is performed by the OCT unit 100.

  The “positional position information of interest” may be stored in the form of infrared image information. By storing as infrared image information, it is possible to specify the position information of the current attention site from the infrared image information even if the past attention region and the current attention region are different. .

  For example, it is assumed that the attention site in the past infrared image is a macular portion, and the attention site in the current infrared image is the optic nerve head. In this case, the specifying unit 231 specifies position information of the optic nerve head from each of the past infrared image and the current infrared image. The displacement calculation unit 232 calculates the displacement between the position information of the optic disc in the past infrared image and the position information of the optic disc in the current infrared image. The control unit 211 controls the fixation target projection unit (LCD 39) to project the fixation target based on the projection position of the fixation target associated with the patient ID and the displacement.

<Operation of Second Embodiment>
Next, a storage operation and a photographing operation of the fundus oculi observation device 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the storage operation of the fundus oculi observation device 1. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the photographing operation of the fundus oculi observation device 1.

<Memory operation>
First, the examiner inputs the patient ID unique to the subject, the photographing date and time, and the left and right information of the eye E to be photographed using the input unit 250 (S30).

  Next, the inspector selects an imaging mode using the input unit 250 or the like (S31).

  After the imaging mode is selected in S31, the alignment of the eye E is adjusted using the alignment optical system 50 (S32).

  Next, under the control of the control unit 211, the LCD 39 projects a fixation target corresponding to the imaging mode selected in S11 onto the eye E. Then, the eye E is fixed based on the fixation target (S33).

  Infrared image photographing by the fundus camera unit 2 is performed on the eye E in a state of being fixed in S32. Further, tomographic imaging by the OCT unit 100 is performed in the same state (state fixed in S32) (S34). It is desirable to perform these photographings in parallel.

  Here, the specifying unit 231 specifies position information (coordinate values) of the site of interest in the infrared image obtained by the imaging in S34 (S35). Identification of the region of interest by the identification unit 231 can be automatically performed according to the imaging mode selected in S31. For example, when “optic disc imaging mode” is selected in S31, the specifying unit 231 executes a process of automatically specifying the optic disc as an attention site.

  Note that the position information of the site of interest in S35 can also be manually performed via the input unit 250 or the like. In this case, for example, an infrared image is displayed on the display device 3, and the position of the attention site is designated by operating the input unit 250. Based on the specification, the specifying unit 231 specifies the coordinate value corresponding to the specified position as the position information of the site of interest.

  The control unit 211 includes the patient ID input in S30, the imaging date and time and the right and left information of the eye E, the imaging mode selected in S31, the projection position of the fixation target in S33, and the image data acquired by imaging in S34. And the position information of the site of interest specified in S35 is written in the storage unit 212. Then, the storage unit 212 stores them in association with each other (S36).

<Shooting operation>
When the follow-up observation is performed on the eye E photographed in S34, the examiner first inputs the patient ID of the subject having the eye E using the input unit 250 or the like (S40). Based on the input of S40, the control unit 211 reads the projection position of the fixation target associated with the patient ID from the storage unit 212 (S41). The control unit 211 controls the operation of the LCD 39 based on the projection position of the fixation target read in S41 (S42). The LCD 39 projects the fixation target onto the eye E. The eye E is fixed with the fixation target (S43). After fixation in S43, infrared light photographing is performed by the fundus camera unit 2, and an infrared image is acquired (S44).

  Here, the specifying unit 231 specifies the position information of the site of interest from the infrared image acquired in S44 (S45). The position information of the site of interest is specified in the same manner as S36. In general, an image obtained by infrared light photographing with the fundus camera unit 2 is a moving image. Therefore, as the infrared image used for specifying the position information of the site of interest in S45, one arbitrary infrared image is used from among the infrared images constituting the moving image.

  And the displacement calculation part 232 calculates a displacement from the positional information on the attention site | part linked | related with patient ID input by S41, and the positional information on the attention site | part specified by S45 (S46).

  The control unit 211 converts the displacement calculated in S46 according to the scale of the LCD 39, and then changes the projection position of the fixation target read in S41 based on the converted displacement, thereby creating a new fixation. The projection position of the target is obtained, and the pixel of the LCD 39 corresponding to the projection position of the new fixation target is turned on (S47).

  Thereafter, in a state where fixation is performed at the projection position of a new fixation target in S47 (S48), imaging by the fundus camera unit 2 or imaging by the OCT unit 100 is performed (S49).

  In this case, the follow-up observation can be performed by comparing the image based on the image data acquired in S35 with the image based on the image data acquired in S49 (S50).

  It is also possible to calculate the displacement of the position information of the attention site in real time and reflect the displacement on the fixation target projection position. That is, in the case where infrared images are continuously acquired in a state in which fixation is performed at a certain fixation target projection position, the specifying unit 231 sequentially specifies position information of a target region in sequentially obtained infrared images. . The displacement calculator 232 calculates the displacement from the position information of the site of interest in a certain infrared image and the position information of the site of interest in another infrared image. Then, the control unit 211 can change the projection position of the fixation target based on the displacement.

<Action and effect>
The operation and effect of the fundus oculi observation device 1 as described above will be described.

  The fundus oculi observation device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a specifying unit 231 that specifies position information of a site of interest in an infrared image generated by an image generation unit. When the patient ID is input by the input unit 250 and the infrared image is generated by the image generation unit, the displacement calculation unit 232 reads the position information associated with the patient ID from the storage unit 212, and the infrared calculation unit 232 The displacement between the position information specified by the specifying unit 231 for the image and the read position information is calculated. Then, the control unit 211 reads the projection position of the fixation target associated with the patient ID, changes the projection position of the fixation target in the fixation target projection unit (LCD 39) based on the calculated displacement, and fixes the fixation target. Project the target.

  Therefore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, even if there is a shift (displacement) in the position information of the target region in the frame of each image between images acquired by a plurality of imaging, the target region By changing the projection position of the fixation target by this displacement, it is possible to display the image of the site of interest at the same position in the frame of each image.

<Modification of Second Embodiment>
The control unit 211 of the second embodiment performs control to change the projection position of the fixation target based on the displacement of the position information of the site of interest. However, when the displacement is small, there is a case where the site of interest and its surrounding area can be observed without changing the projection position of the fixation target. Therefore, in this modification, a configuration for determining whether or not to change the projection position of the fixation target according to the magnitude of displacement will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

  In this modification, the displacement calculation unit 232 includes a comparison unit 232a.

  The comparison unit 232a compares the displacement calculated by the displacement calculation unit 232 with a threshold value. Specifically, the comparison unit 232a compares whether the displacement calculated by the displacement calculation unit 232 is greater than a threshold value. The threshold value here is a value for distinguishing whether or not the region of interest and its surrounding region can be observed. This threshold value is a value that is automatically set according to, for example, the shooting magnification (eg, when the shooting magnification is high, the threshold value decreases). Alternatively, an inspector or the like may arbitrarily set.

  The control unit 211 in the present modification performs the control operation in the second embodiment when the patient ID is input from the input unit 250 and the displacement is determined to be larger than the threshold value in the comparison unit 232a.

  Next, the photographing operation of the fundus oculi observation device 1 according to this modification will be described with reference to FIG. The storage operation is the same as that in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Also in the photographing operation, S40 to S46 are the same as those in the second embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the photographing operation in this modification, the comparison unit 232a compares the displacement calculated in S46 with a threshold value (S46 ′).

  When the displacement is larger than the threshold (in the case of Y in S46 ″), the control unit 211 uses the displacement calculated in S46 with respect to the projection position of the fixation target read out in S41, and performs a new fixation. The target projection position is obtained, and the pixels of the LCD 39 corresponding to the new fixation target projection position are turned on (S47).

  Thereafter, after fixation is performed at a new fixation target projection position in S47 (S48), photographing by the fundus camera unit 2 or photographing by the OCT unit 100 is performed (S49).

  On the other hand, if the displacement is smaller than the threshold value (N in S46 ″), shooting is performed without changing the projection position of the fixation target (S49).

  Then, the follow-up observation can be performed by comparing the image based on the image data acquired in S35 with the image based on the image data acquired in S49 (S50).

<Action and effect>
The operation and effect of the fundus oculi observation device 1 in this modification will be described.

  The fundus oculi observation device 1 according to this modification is provided with a comparison unit 232a that compares the displacement calculated by the displacement calculation unit 232 with a threshold value. When the patient ID is input by the input unit 250 and the displacement is determined to be larger than the threshold value by the comparison unit 232a, the control unit 211 determines the projection position of the fixation target associated with the patient ID. Read from the storage unit 212. Further, the control unit 211 controls the fixation target projection unit (LCD 39) based on the projection position and the calculated displacement to project the fixation target.

  Therefore, according to the configuration of this modification, when the displacement is small, the projection position of the fixation target is not changed. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the second embodiment, it is possible to improve the efficiency of observation by the fundus oculi observation device.

<Third Embodiment>
The configuration of the fundus oculi observation device according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the configuration of the third embodiment has many of the same points as the configurations of the first and second embodiments, the description will focus on the differences. It should be noted that “displacement between infrared images” in the present embodiment includes “displacement between position information of the region of interest”.

  The image processing unit 230 in the present embodiment includes a displacement calculation unit 232 and a statistical value calculation unit 233.

The displacement calculation unit 232 in the present embodiment calculates the displacement between the infrared eye images generated by the image generation unit. As a specific example, when there are infrared images R _{1 to} R ₄ , the displacement of R ₁ and R ₂ , the displacement of R ₂ and R ₃ , and the displacement of R ₃ and R ₄ are calculated. The displacement is calculated from, for example, position information of the site of interest in the infrared image or position information arbitrarily designated by the examiner. The displacement calculation method is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to calculate the displacement of R _{2 to} R ₄ with respect to R ₁ .

The statistical value calculation unit 233 calculates statistical values of a plurality of displacements calculated by the displacement calculation unit 232. The statistical value is, for example, an average value of displacements in the xy direction of the position information of the site of interest (optic nerve head) in the infrared image. Specifically, the displacement of the infrared images R ₁ and R ₂ is (ΔX ₁ , ΔY ₁ ), the displacement of the infrared images R ₂ and R ₃ is (ΔX ₂ , ΔY ₂ )... The infrared image R _When the displacement of _n−1 and R _n is (ΔX _n , ΔY _n ), the statistical value (average value) is (ΔX ₁ + ΔX ₂ +... + ΔX _n / n, ΔY ₁ + ΔY ₂ +. .. + ΔY _n / n) Such statistical values reflect the tendency of the movement of the eye E.

  The data stored in the storage unit 212 in the present embodiment includes a statistical value calculated by the statistical value calculation unit 233. Patient ID, each image data, imaging | photography mode, the projection position of a fixation target, imaging | photography date, left-right information, and a statistical value are linked | related and memorize | stored.

In addition to the function in the first embodiment, the control unit 211 in the present embodiment reads the projection position and the statistical value associated with the patient ID from the storage unit 212 when the patient ID is input by the input unit 250, Control is performed to change the projection position associated with the patient ID by controlling the fixation target projection unit (LCD 39). For example, when the projection position of the fixation target stored in association with the patient ID is (x, y), the control unit 211 calculates the statistical value (ΔX ₁ + ΔX ₂ + ···) calculated by the statistical value calculation unit 233. ... + ΔX _n / n, ΔY ₁ + ΔY ₂ +... + ΔY _n / n) are converted into statistical values (ΔX ″, ΔY ″) so as to match the scale of the LCD 39. Then, the control unit 211 changes the projection position of the fixation target by setting the projection position of the fixation target as (x + ΔX ″, y + ΔY ″), and turns on the corresponding pixel of the LCD 39. Thereafter, photographing is performed by the fundus camera unit 2 or the OCT unit 100.

<Operation of Third Embodiment>
Next, the storage operation and the photographing operation of the fundus oculi observation device 1 according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the storage operation of the fundus oculi observation device 1. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the photographing operation of the fundus oculi observation device 1.

<Memory operation>
First, the examiner inputs the patient ID unique to the subject, the photographing date and time, and the left and right information of the eye E to be photographed using the input unit 250 (S50).

  Next, the inspector selects an imaging mode using the input unit 250 or the like (S51).

  After the photographing mode is selected in S51, alignment adjustment of the eye E is performed using the alignment optical system 50 (S52).

  Next, under the control of the control unit 211, the LCD 39 projects a fixation target corresponding to the imaging mode selected in S51 onto the eye E. Then, the eye E is fixed based on the fixation target (S53).

  In S53, an infrared image is captured by the fundus camera unit 2 while being fixed. In addition, tomographic imaging by the OCT unit 100 is performed in the same state (state fixed in S53) (S54).

  Here, the displacement calculation unit 232 detects displacement between a plurality of infrared images captured by the fundus camera unit 2 (S55). Then, the statistical value calculation unit 233 calculates statistical values of a plurality of displacements calculated in S55 (S56).

  The control unit 211 performs the patient ID input in S50, the imaging date and time and the left and right information of the eye E, the imaging mode selected in S51, the projection position of the fixation target in S53 (the lighting position of the LCD 39), and the imaging in S54. The acquired image data and the statistical value calculated in S56 are written in the storage unit 212. Then, the storage unit 212 stores them in association with each other (S57).

<Shooting operation>
When the follow-up observation is performed on the eye E taken in S55, the examiner first inputs the patient ID of the subject having the eye E using the input unit 250 or the like (S60).

  Based on the patient ID input in S60, the control unit 211 reads the projection position and statistical value of the fixation target associated with the patient ID from the storage unit 212 (S61).

  The control unit 211 converts the statistical value read in S61 according to the scale of the LCD 39, and then changes the projection position of the fixation target read in S61 based on the converted displacement, so that a new one is obtained. The projection position of the new fixation target is obtained, and the pixel of the LCD 39 corresponding to the projection position of the new fixation target is turned on (S62). Note that the step of S62 may change the projection position based on the statistical value read in S61 after projecting the fixation target once.

  At the projection position of S62, the LCD 39 projects a fixation target onto the eye E to be examined. Then, the eye E is fixed based on the fixation target (S63). Then, photographing is performed by the fundus camera unit 2 and the OCT unit 100 (S64).

  In this case, the follow-up observation can be performed by comparing the image based on the image data captured in S55 with the image based on the image data captured in S64 (S65).

<Action and effect>
The operation and effect of the fundus oculi observation device 1 as described above will be described.

  In the fundus oculi observation device 1 according to the present embodiment, the displacement calculator 232 calculates the displacement between the infrared eye images generated by the image generator. Further, the statistical value calculation unit 233 calculates statistical values of a plurality of displacements calculated by the displacement calculation unit 232. When the patient ID is input by the input unit, the control unit 211 reads out the projection position and the statistical value associated with the patient ID from the storage unit 212. Further, the control unit 211 controls the fixation target projection unit (LCD 39) to project the fixation target based on the projection position and the statistical value.

  Therefore, even when there is a deviation (displacement) between infrared images acquired by a plurality of imaging performed in the past, the statistical value of the displacement (the tendency of the movement of the eye E) is taken into consideration. By adjusting the projection position of the fixation target, the image of the site of interest can be displayed at the same position in the frame of each image.

<Matters common to the first to third embodiments>
Hereinafter, Modifications 1 to 3 will be described as configurations applicable to the first to third embodiments.

<Modification 1>
Although the configuration of the fundus oculi observation device 1 having both the fundus camera unit 2 and the OCT unit 100 has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even the fundus observation device having only the fundus camera unit 2 can apply the configuration of the above embodiment.

<Modification 2>
The configuration of the above embodiment can also be applied to a scanning laser optometry apparatus having a confocal optical system (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “SLO”). The SLO is a device that obtains a fundus image by scanning laser light two-dimensionally over the fundus and receiving the reflected light. In SLO, the emission end of the light source and the eye E are in a conjugate relationship. Even when the SLO is used, the eye to be examined is fixed before photographing. In this case, as in the first to third embodiments, the fixation target is projected onto the eye to be examined using the fixation target projection unit provided in the SLO, and fixation of the eye to be examined is performed.

  The SLO has an irradiation optical system that irradiates the fundus while scanning the fundus with a scanning unit such as a galvanometer mirror, and an imaging optical system that captures reflected light of the irradiation light. Irradiated light includes, for example, infrared light and excitation light. That is, when using SLO, the irradiation optical system and the photographing optical system have a role of “image generation unit”. The irradiation optical system is a confocal optical system.

<Modification 3>
In the above embodiment, the storage unit 212 stores the patient ID, the shooting date and time, the left and right information of the eye E to be examined, the shooting mode, and the projection position of the fixation target in association with each other, but is not limited thereto. In order to display the image of the region of interest at the same position in the frame of each image when performing multiple imaging, the storage unit 212 stores at least the patient ID and the fixation target projection position in association with each other. Just do it.

  Further, according to the device type or the like, it is possible to store the patient ID and the fixation target projection position in association with any one of the imaging date and time, left and right information, and imaging mode. In this case, even if there are a plurality of projection positions of the fixation target associated with a certain patient ID as described above, it is possible to read an arbitrary projection position from the storage unit 212 by inputting the patient ID and the imaging mode. It becomes.

<Others>
The configuration described above is merely an example for favorably implementing the present invention. Therefore, arbitrary modifications within the scope of the present invention can be made as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fundus observation apparatus 2 Fundus camera unit 3 Display apparatus 10 Illumination optical system 11 Observation light source 15 Imaging light source 30 Imaging optical system 31 Focusing lens 35, 38 CCD image sensor 39 LCD
43, 44 Galvano mirror 50 Alignment optical system 60 Focus optical system 70 Scan drive unit 80 Focus drive unit 100 OCT unit 101 Light source unit 114 Reference mirror 118 Diffraction grating 120 CCD image sensor 130 Reference drive unit 200 Arithmetic control unit 210 Control unit 211 Control unit 212 Storage unit 220 Image forming unit 230 Image processing unit 240 Display unit 250 Input unit E Eye to be examined Ef Fundus K Observation image H Captured image G Tomographic image

Claims (12)

A fixation target projection unit that projects a fixation target whose projection position can be changed onto the eye to be examined;
An image generating unit that irradiates the fundus of the subject's eye in a fixed state with infrared light, receives the fundus reflected light of the infrared light, and generates an infrared image of the eye;
A specifying unit for specifying position information of a site of interest in the infrared image;
A storage unit that associates and stores a patient ID, position information of the identified region of interest, and a projection position of the fixation target when the fundus reflection light is received;
An input unit for inputting a patient ID;
When the patient ID is input by the input unit and a new infrared image of the eye to be examined is generated by the image generation unit, the attention stored in the storage unit in association with the patient ID in the past out read location information of the site, the displacement calculating unit for calculating a displacement between the new infrared image past position information read out said the new position information of the target region specified by the specifying unit for When,
Associated with the patient ID in the past out reads the projection position of the stored fixation target in the storage unit, the fixation target based on said calculated displacements and the read out past projection position A control unit for controlling the projection unit to project the fixation target;
A fundus oculi observation device comprising: In the storage unit, a patient ID, position information of the identified site of interest, a projection position of the fixation target, and an imaging mode are associated and stored,
When the patient ID and the photographing mode is inputted by the input unit, the displacement calculating unit, read the position information of the stored in the storage unit associated with the patient ID and the shooting mode in the past the area of interest To calculate the displacement,
Wherein, past the patient ID and out reads the projection position of the fixation target stored in the storage unit associated with the shooting mode, the displacement and which is the calculated with the previous projection position The fundus oculi observation device according to claim 1, wherein the fixation target projection unit is controlled based on the fixation target to project the fixation target. In the storage unit, the patient ID, the position information of the identified attention site, the projection position of the fixation target, and the imaging date and time are associated and stored,
When the patient ID and the shooting date and time are input by the input unit, the displacement calculating unit, read the position information of the stored in the storage unit the patient ID and associated with the shooting date and time in the past the area of interest To calculate the displacement,
Wherein, past the patient ID and out reads the projection position of the fixation target stored in the storage unit associated with the shooting date and time, the displacement and which is the calculated with the previous projection position The fundus oculi observation device according to claim 1, wherein the fixation target projection unit is controlled based on the fixation target to project the fixation target. In the storage unit, a patient ID, position information of the identified region of interest, a projection position of the fixation target, and left and right information of the eye to be examined are associated and stored,
When the patient ID and the left / right information of the eye to be examined are input by the input unit , the displacement calculation unit is configured to store the position of the attention site previously associated with the patient ID and the left / right information and stored in the storage unit. read out the information to calculate the displacement,
Wherein, past the patient ID and out reads the projection position of the fixation target stored in the storage unit associated with the left and right information, the displacement and which is the calculated with the previous projection position The fundus oculi observation device according to claim 1, wherein the fixation target projection unit is controlled based on the fixation target to project the fixation target. Having a display,
When the projection position of the fixation target associated with the input content by the input portion is more, the control unit, the plurality of projection position is listed on the display unit, the list displayed plurality of When one projection position among the projection positions is selected by the input unit, the fixation target projection unit is controlled based on the selected projection position and the calculated displacement to obtain a fixation target. The fundus oculi observation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein projection is performed. The displacement calculator is
A comparator that compares the calculated displacement with a threshold;
When the displacement is determined to be larger than the threshold value by the comparing unit, the projection position of the fixation target of claims 1 to 5, which comprises carrying out a process to read out from said storage unit The fundus oculi observation device according to any one of the above. A fixation target projection unit that projects a fixation target whose projection position can be changed onto the eye to be examined;
An image generating unit that irradiates the fundus of the subject's eye in a fixed state with infrared light, receives the fundus reflected light of the infrared light, and generates an infrared image of the eye;
A displacement calculator that calculates the displacement between the infrared eye images generated by the image generator;
A statistical value calculation unit that calculates a statistical value representing a tendency of movement of the eye to be examined based on a plurality of displacements calculated by the displacement calculation unit;
A storage unit that stores the patient ID, the projection position of the fixation target when the fundus reflection light is received, and the calculated statistical value in association with each other;
An input unit for inputting a patient ID;
When the patient ID is input by the input unit, associated with the patient ID in the past out reads the projection position and statistics stored in the storage unit, on the basis of the said projection position and the statistic A control unit that controls the fixation target projection unit to project the fixation target;
A fundus oculi observation device comprising: In the storage unit, a patient ID, a projection position of the fixation target, the calculated statistical value, and an imaging mode are stored in association with each other,
When the patient ID and the photographing mode is inputted by the input unit, the control unit is out read in the past stored in the storage unit associated with the patient ID and the shooting mode projection position and statistics The fundus oculi observation device according to claim 7, wherein the fixation target is projected by controlling the fixation target projection unit based on the projection position and the statistical value. In the storage unit, a patient ID, a projection position of the fixation target, the calculated statistical value, and an imaging date and time are associated and stored,
When the patient ID and the shooting date and time are input by the input unit, the control unit is out read in the past stored in the storage unit associated with the patient ID and the shooting date projection position and statistics The fundus oculi observation device according to claim 7, wherein the fixation target is projected by controlling the fixation target projection unit based on the projection position and the statistical value. In the storage unit, a patient ID, a projection position of the fixation target, the calculated statistical value, and left and right information of the eye to be examined are associated and stored,
When the patient ID and the left / right information of the eye to be examined are input by the input unit , the control unit displays the projection position and the statistical value that are associated with the patient ID and the left / right information in the past and stored in the storage unit. out read fundus observation device according to claim 7, wherein the projecting the fixation target by controlling the fixation target projecting unit on the basis of the said projection position and the statistical value. Having a display,
When the projection position of the fixation target associated with the input content by the input portion is more, the control unit, the plurality of projection position is listed on the display unit, the list displayed plurality of any one projection position of the projection position when it is selected by the input unit, according to claim 7 claim 10, characterized in that projecting the fixation target by controlling the fixation target projecting unit The fundus oculi observation device according to claim 1. A scanning unit that changes an irradiation position of the infrared light on the eye to be examined;
12. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the scanning unit in a state where a fixation target is projected at the projection position by control of the fixation target projection unit. The fundus oculi observation device according to one item.

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