JP6100027B2 - Image pickup apparatus control apparatus, image pickup apparatus control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control device of an image pickup apparatus for controlling the adjustment of the position of the members of the image pickup apparatus, a control method of an imaging device, to order the program to execute the steps of及beauty control methodologies to computers.

  Currently, various types of ophthalmic equipment using optical equipment are used. For example, various apparatuses such as an anterior ocular segment photographing machine, a fundus camera, and a confocal laser scanning ophthalmoscope (SLO) are used as optical instruments for observing the eyes.

  Among them, the optical coherence tomography (Optical Coherence Tomography: OCT, hereinafter referred to as OCT device) is a device that obtains a tomographic image of a sample with high resolution, and is indispensable as an ophthalmic device for specialized retina outpatients. It is becoming a device.

  The OCT apparatus is an apparatus that irradiates a sample with low-coherent light, causes reflected light from the sample to interfere with reference light for reference, and measures with high sensitivity. The OCT apparatus can obtain a tomographic image with high resolution by scanning the low-coherent light on the sample. Therefore, a tomographic image of the retina on the fundus of the eye to be examined can be captured with high resolution, and is therefore widely used in ophthalmic diagnosis of the retina.

  Among these ophthalmologic apparatuses, those that photograph the retina need to be aligned with the optical system of the apparatus and the pupil and to be focused on the fundus. In addition, since the OCT apparatus uses interference between reflected light from the retina and reference light that has passed through the reference object, it is necessary to adjust the optical path length of the reference light. Conventionally, these adjustments have been performed manually, but recently, an apparatus for automatically performing photography has been invented to improve the efficiency of photographing.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for automatically adjusting alignment by determining an alignment reference point based on a pupil position detected from a signal from an imaging unit and an index image from the cornea in an optometry apparatus, and moving the optometry unit. Is disclosed. In Patent Document 2, in the optical tomography apparatus, the retina mode for imaging the retina surface side portion with high sensitivity, the choroid mode for displaying the choroid side portion with high sensitivity, and the reference optical path are automatically changed in each mode. A technique for acquiring an image is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-019040 JP 2010-012111 A

  Regardless of whether the adjustment is manual or automatic, if the shooting position or shooting mode of the nipple, macular, etc. is changed, the above adjustments must be made again, causing the operator to be burdened or taking a long time before shooting. was there.

Therefore, the control device of the imaging apparatus according to one of the embodiments is as follows:
Selection means for selecting at least a first imaging region and a second imaging region of the eye to be examined;
Control means for performing control to adjust the position of the member of the imaging device according to the first imaging region;
When the second imaging region is selected after the adjustment according to the first imaging region is started , the position adjustment of the member of the imaging device according to the second imaging region is executed. Determination means for determining whether or not based on the first imaging region and the second imaging region,
The determination unit determines that the adjustment of the position of the focus member of the imaging device is not performed when the first imaging region and the second imaging region are the same region in the fundus of the same eye; When the first imaging region and the second imaging region are different sites in the fundus of the same eye to be examined, it is determined to adjust the position of the focus member.

  In this way, by determining whether or not to adjust each adjustment item based on the shooting conditions before and after the change, unnecessary adjustment is omitted, the burden on the operator is reduced, and the time required for shooting preparation is reduced. be able to.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the diagnostic imaging system which concerns on an Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an OCT unit. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the control processing which a control apparatus performs. It is a figure explaining the positional relationship of a coherence gate position and an OCT tomographic image. The example of the operation screen displayed on the display 302 is shown. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the other control processing which concerns on an Example. It is a figure which shows the corresponding | compatible relationship table of imaging | photography mode, the position of a fixation lamp, and the position of a coherence gate. It is a figure which shows the relationship table of each adjustment item and the time which adjustment requires. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of the imaging | photography mode which concerns on an Example. It is a figure which shows the necessity of adjustment of each adjustment item about each imaging | photography order by (circle) and X. FIG. It is a figure which shows the sum total of the adjustment frequency of each adjustment item, and adjustment time about each imaging | photography order. It is a block diagram of the control apparatus which concerns on a 3rd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control at the time of imaging | photography mode change. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which changes control of adjustment according to imaging | photography space | interval. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which performs readjustment until adjustment is completed. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which changes control of adjustment according to the change of a coherence gate. It is a figure which shows the range of the fine adjustment of the coherence gate after imaging mode change. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the other control at the time of imaging | photography mode change.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the entire diagnostic imaging system according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an OCT unit, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control device, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart of control processing executed by the control device. Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to these drawings. The diagnostic imaging system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an imaging device 10 that uses a subject to be examined as an eye part of a subject, and a control device 20 that executes an imaging control process on the imaging device 10. The imaging apparatus 10 is an optical coherence tomography apparatus that images the fundus of a subject's eye using the principle of optical coherence tomography (OCT: Optical Coherence Tomography). An anterior ocular segment imaging unit and an SLO imaging unit.

<Anterior segment imaging unit>
First, an anterior segment imaging unit for alignment and alignment will be described with reference to FIG. The coordinates in this embodiment are Z for the axial direction, X for the horizontal direction with respect to the fundus image, and Y for the vertical direction. The anterior segment is illuminated by the anterior segment illumination LED 120, the anterior segment is imaged on the anterior segment camera 119 by the beam splitter 116 and the anterior segment focus lens 117, and an image of the anterior segment is obtained. Input to the CPU 301 in FIG.

<SLO, fundus imaging unit>
Based on FIG. 1, a scanning laser opthalmoscope (SLO), which is an apparatus for fundus observation, will be described. As the laser light source 101, a semiconductor laser or an SLD light source (Super Luminescent Diode) can be suitably used. As the wavelength to be used, a near-infrared wavelength region of 700 nm to 1000 nm is preferably used in order to reduce glare of the subject and maintain resolution for fundus observation. In the present embodiment, a semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 780 nm is used, and the amount of light can be changed by a control voltage. The laser light emitted from the laser light source 101 is converted into a parallel beam by the collimator lens 102, passes through the hole of the perforated mirror 103 having a hole at the center, and passes through the SLO-X scanner 104 and the SLO-Y scanner 105. Further, the light passes through the beam splitter 106 and the eyepiece (objective lens) 107 and enters the eye 108 to be examined.

  Hereinafter, the coordinates in the present embodiment are Z for the axial direction, X for the horizontal direction with respect to the fundus image, and Y for the vertical direction.

  The beam incident on the eye 108 is irradiated on the fundus of the eye 108 as a dotted beam. This beam is reflected or scattered by the fundus of the eye 108 to be examined, follows the same optical path, and returns to the perforated mirror 103. The reflected or scattered light is reflected by the perforated mirror 103, received by an avalanche photodiode (hereinafter referred to as APD) 110 via the SLO focus lens 109, and proportional to the reflected and scattered intensity of the fundus point. Signal is obtained. Furthermore, a two-dimensional image of the fundus can be obtained by performing a raster scan with the SLO scanners (X) and (Y).

<OCT unit>
Next, the OCT unit 111 will be described with reference to FIG. The OCT unit 111 splits the low-coherence light into reference light and signal light, superimposes the signal light passing through the eye 108 and the reference light passing through the reference object, generates interference light, and splits the signal Is output. The detection signal is split and input to the CPU 301. The CPU 301 analyzes the detection signal to form a fundus tomographic image or a three-dimensional image.

  The low-coherence light source 201 is composed of a broadband light source that outputs low-coherence light. In the present embodiment, an SLD (Super Luminescent Diode) is used as the broadband light source. Low-coherence light is light having a wavelength in the near-infrared region and having a coherence length of about several tens of micrometers, and has a wavelength included in the range of about 800 nm to 900 nm, for example.

  The low coherence light output from the low coherence light source 201 is guided to the optical coupler 203 through the optical fiber 202. The optical fiber 202 is usually composed of a single mode fiber. The optical coupler 203 splits the low coherence light into reference light and signal light. The reference light generated by the optical coupler 203 is guided by the optical fiber 204 and converted into a parallel light flux by the collimator lens 205, and then glass as dispersion compensation means for matching the dispersion characteristics of the reference light and the observation light. Via block 206. Thereafter, the light is reflected by the reference mirror 207. The reflected reference light passes through the same optical path and enters the optical fiber 204.

  The reference mirror 207 is movable in the direction in which the reference light travels, and thus, the reference light and the observation light depending on the axial length of the eye 108 and the distance between the eyepiece (objective lens) 107 and the eye 108 to be examined. It is possible to adjust the distance.

  On the other hand, the signal light generated by the optical coupler 203 is sent to the OCT scanner and eyepiece unit of FIG. 1 through the fiber 164, becomes signal light reflected and scattered by the retina of the eye to be examined, and re-input to the fiber 164. . The signal light introduced into the optical coupler 203 through the fiber 164 is interfered with the reference light, becomes parallel light to the collimator lens 210 through the optical fiber 209, and then is split by the diffraction grating 211, and is reflected by the OCT focus lens 212. An image is formed on the one-dimensional sensor 213. As the one-dimensional sensor 213, a CCD sensor CMOS sensor or the like can be used. As a result, a signal obtained by separating the interference light can be obtained from the one-dimensional sensor 213.

<OCT scan, eyepiece>
Further, the OCT scanning mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. The signal light from the OCT unit 111 is converted into a parallel beam by the collimator lens 112 and passes through the OCT-X scanner 113 and the OCT-Y scanner 114. Next, the light is reflected by the mirror 115 and the beam splitter 106, passes through the eyepiece lens (objective lens) 107, and enters the eye 108 to be examined. The beam that has entered the eye 108 is reflected and scattered by the fundus in the same manner as in the SLO, and follows the same optical path and returns to the OCT unit 111.

<Control unit>
Next, the control device 20 that controls the imaging device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. A central processing unit (CPU) 301 is connected to a display 302, a main storage device 303 (RAM), and a storage device 304 (ROM) that stores a program for executing the processing described in the flowchart shown in FIG. Yes. The CPU 301 is connected to a one-dimensional sensor interface 306, an APD interface 307, and a D / A converter 314. The primary sensor interface 306 receives data of a one-dimensional sensor that is an output of OCT. The APD interface 307 receives APD data that is an output of the SLO. The D / A converter 314 generates a voltage that controls the intensity of the light source of the SLO. Further, it is connected to an SLO scanner control circuit 308 and an OCT scanner control circuit 311 as scanner controls.

  The control device 20 performs control to adjust the positions or settings of various members of the imaging device 10. Specifically, the control device 20 transmits a command instructing adjustment to the imaging device 10 together with the control parameter, whereby the positions or settings of various members are adjusted by the imaging device 10. The SLO scanner control circuit 308 controls the SLO scanner by the SLO scanner driver (X) and the SLO scanner driver (Y), and controls the Y scan center position, scan width, and scan rate in response to a command from the CPU. . Further, the CPU can know the scan position of the SLO beam from the SLO scanner control circuit 308. Similarly, the OCT scanner control circuit 311 controls the OCT scanner by the OCT scanner driver (X) and the OCT scanner driver (Y). In accordance with a command from the CPU 301, the x, y scan center position, the x, y scan width, and the scan rate are controlled. Further, the CPU can know the scan position of the OCT signal light from the OCT scanner control circuit 311.

  The stage drive control circuit 321 can move the stage on which the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 is installed in the X, Y, and Z directions by a stage drive driver X315, a stage drive driver Y316, and a stage drive driver Z317. The stage on which the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 is installed is installed on a base (not shown), and the eye to be examined, the stage, and the apparatus on the stage are moved relative to the base.

  The CPU 301 controls the apparatus by executing a control process shown in a flowchart shown in FIG. 4 to be described later by a program stored in the program storage ROM 304. At this time, the CPU 301 functions as the selection unit 3011 and the determination unit 3012 by executing the above-described program.

  The selection unit 3011 selects a shooting mode in response to a user pressing a button. The imaging mode means an imaging method defined by a combination of an imaging region and an imaging condition corresponding to the imaging site. Therefore, when the imaging modes are different, there are cases where the imaging conditions and the imaging region are different, the imaging sites are the same but the imaging conditions are different, and additionally, the imaging regions are different but the imaging conditions are the same. The imaging region of the eye to be examined refers to a tissue or region of the eye to be examined, such as the fundus or anterior eye, or the macular region of the fundus or the optic papilla of the fundus.

  Here, after the user presses a button to select one shooting mode and the adjustment is completed, another shooting mode may be selected. As an example of the assumed situation, for example, there are a case where correction is made after the user has mistakenly selected a photographing mode that is not intended, and a case where photographing is performed in a plurality of different photographing modes for the same eye. In such a case, the determination unit 3012 selects the first selected (before change) shooting mode (first shooting mode) and the next selected (after change) shooting mode (second shooting mode). Then, it is checked whether the settings of the adjustment items such as the coherence gate and the alignment are the same. Then, control is performed so that the items that do not require adjustment before and after the change are not set, and the items that require adjustment are adjusted. Here, the coherence gate (CG) is a position corresponding to the reference mirror position in the reference optical path in the measurement optical path. Considering virtually the optical path of the measurement light reflected at the coherence gate position, the optical path has the same optical path length as the optical path of the reference light reflected by the reference mirror.

  For example, after the first and second imaging parts are selected by the selection unit 3011 and the adjustment according to the first imaging part is started, the determination unit 3012 performs the adjustment according to the second imaging part. No is determined based on the first imaging region and the second imaging region. Further, the determination unit 3012 determines whether or not to execute the adjustment according to the second imaging region when the second imaging region is input after the adjustment according to the first imaging region is started. The determination is made based on the first imaging region and the second imaging region. In a specific case, the CPU 301 or the SLO scanner control circuit 308, the OCT scanner control circuit 311 and the stage drive control circuit 321 both adjust the relative position between the object to be inspected and the imaging device 10 and adjust the coherence gate position. Let it run. Here, the specific case is a case where it is determined that the position of the fixation lamp of the imaging device 10 is different between the first imaging region and the second imaging region. Further, here, the object to be inspected is the eye to be examined, and the first and second imaging parts are different parts of the fundus of the eye to be examined. The determination unit 3012 determines to adjust the relative position with the eye to be examined. Further, when the first and second imaging regions are different layers of the retina of the eye to be examined, the determination unit 3012 determines to adjust the coherence gate position.

  The CPU 301 controls to adjust items determined to be necessary according to the determination by the determination unit 3012. Here, the alignment control means that the CPU 301 instructs the stage drive control circuit 321 to drive the stage by a predetermined amount.

<Alignment adjustment>
As an alignment method, the pupil can be detected from the image of the anterior segment camera, and the stages X and Y can be driven by the stage drive control circuit 321 so that the center of the pupil is at the center of the image. . Further, the image split prism 118 is disposed in the vicinity of the lens 117, and the Z direction can be adjusted by being driven in the Y direction by the stage drive control circuit 321 and focusing.

<SLO processing, focus adjustment>
Processing for SLO imaging will be described below.

  The CPU sets a predetermined value in the D / A converter 314, and sets a predetermined Y scan center position, scan speed, and scan width in the Y direction in the SLO scanner control circuit 308. This causes the SLO beam to scan over the retina. At this time, the APD outputs a signal proportional to the retina reflection and scattering intensity. Further, the optical axis information of the SLO focus lens 109 can be moved by the SLO focus driver 318, and the focus can be adjusted.

  The CPU can obtain a retina image by superimposing the signal intensity of the APD on the scanner position from the SLO scanner control circuit, and can display the retina image by displaying this image on the display 302.

  With this two-dimensional image, the OCT imaging position can be confirmed, and the focus can be adjusted by controlling the contrast of the image to be maximized.

  The OCT focus and the SLO focus are separate optical systems, but their drive is linked, and each focus position and drive amount are stored in the hard disk 305 as table information. By driving using this table information, the OCT focus can be adjusted by adjusting the SLO focus.

<OCT processing, coherence gate adjustment>
Processing for OCT imaging will be described below.

  The CPU sets the X and Y scan center position, the scan speed, the scan width in the x and y directions, and the main scan direction to the OCT scanner control circuit 311. Thereby, the signal light from the OCT uni is transmitted on the retina. to scan. At this time, the output of the one-dimensional sensor 213 of the OCT unit is input to the CPU through the one-dimensional sensor interface 306. The CPU performs processing such as FFT on the main storage device 303 in accordance with the program stored in the program storage ROM 304, and Get depth information. From this information and the positional information of the OCT scanner control circuit 311, a first-stage B-scan and a three-dimensional retinal image can be obtained. By displaying this image on the display device 302, these images can be displayed. .

  The OCT focus lens 212 can move the optical axis information by the OCT focus driver 319 and can be focused. The reference mirror 207 can move the optical axis information by the reference mirror driver 320.

  A position on the retina equivalent to the reference mirror 207 is called a coherence gate, and an image having a stronger intensity is obtained in a portion closer to the coherent gate. The positional relationship between the coherence gate position and the obtained OCT tomographic image will be described with reference to FIG. If the coherence gate is at the top of the retina as in 5-1, an image like 5-2 is obtained. In this case, the nerve fiber layer is imaged with a stronger intensity than the pigment epithelium layer, which is suitable for observation of the upper retina such as glaucoma. This mode is also referred to herein as the vitreous mode. If the coherence gate is at the lower part of the retina as in 5-3, the image will be upside down as in 5-4. This is because OCT measures the distance from the coherent gate. In this case, the pigment epithelium layer is imaged with a stronger intensity than the nerve fiber layer, which is suitable for observation of diseases of the lower retina such as macular anomaly. This mode is referred to herein as the choroid mode. In this case, it goes without saying that the display is turned upside down and the upper part of the retina is displayed upward.

As a method of automatic adjustment of the coherence gate, in the case of the vitreous mode, first place the coherence gate far enough from the retina at a position in the normal vitreous, and gradually approach the retina to display the retinal image and search for the position where the entire retina is imaged . In the choroid mode, on the other hand, it is placed on the choroid side below the retina, and similarly, the retinal image appears gradually closer to the retina, and the position where the entire retina is imaged is searched.
By these operations, the coherence gate can be automatically adjusted.

<Operation>
FIG. 6 shows an example of an operation screen displayed on the display device 302. In this figure, 601 is an anterior eye image, 602 is an automatic alignment adjustment start button, 603 is a fundus image taken by SLO, and 604 is a scroll bar for manual focus adjustment. Reference numeral 605 denotes an automatic focus adjustment start button, reference numeral 606 denotes a tomographic image of the retina photographed by OCT, and reference numeral 609 denotes a manual coherence gate adjustment scroll bar. Reference numeral 608 denotes an automatic focus start button, 609 denotes a pre-scan start button, 610 denotes an OCT imaging button, and 611 denotes an imaging mode switching button.

  Imaging modes can be specified in advance as scan patterns such as one-dimensional images and two-dimensional images, scan positions that determine the position of fixation lights such as the macula and nipple, vitreous mode of coherence gate, and OCT imaging modes of choroidal mode. .

  In the operation screen, when the subject puts his eyes in front of the apparatus, only the anterior eye image 601 is displayed, and the fundus image 603 and the tomographic image 606 of the retina are not displayed. Here, when the pre-scan start button 609 is pressed, automatic alignment adjustment is performed, SLO and OCT imaging is started, and a fundus image 603 and a retinal tomographic image 606 are displayed. At this time, the adjustment is not yet performed. The correct image is not displayed.

Next, automatic focus adjustment is performed, then automatic coherence gate adjustment is performed, and a correctly adjusted fundus image 603 and tomographic image 606 of the retina are displayed. If the examiner is okay with this image,
The OCT photographing button 610 is pressed to photograph the OCT. If it is determined that the focus and coherence gates are not correct, adjustment is performed using the respective manual adjustment scroll bars.

  Before the OCT imaging button 610 is pressed and the OCT is imaged, it may be necessary to redo the adjustment described above if the OCT is imaged and an image is taken in a different mode. In the present invention, the determination unit 3012 determines these based on the photographing modes before and after the change, and performs only necessary automatic adjustment.

  The above operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the shooting mode switching button 611 is pressed, the shooting mode is changed in step 401 by the selection unit 3011 selecting a shooting mode. In step 402, it is determined whether or not the determination unit 3012 is performing a preview. If the preview is not performed, a normal operation is performed at the end 411. When the preview is being performed, the fixation lamp position is changed to a location that matches the imaging region according to the mode change. As a result, it is necessary to readjust the alignment because the eyes move. For this reason, the CPU 301 functioning as a control unit in step 404 performs automatic alignment adjustment. Next, when the subject is highly myopic, the fundus is often aspheric, and for example, the distance from the objective lens may be different between the macula and the nipple. This determination is realized by inputting the visual acuity of the subject in advance and using it for the determination. Alternatively, if the position of the coherence gate is far from the specified value, it is highly likely that the eye axis agency is long and the eye is myopic, and the determination unit 3012 determines this in step 405, and the CPU 301 automatically determines in step 406. Let the focus adjust. Next, in step 407, the determination unit 3012 has two OCT imaging modes, vitreous mode and choroid mode. If these changes are made, the CPU 301 adjusts the coherence gate in step 408. In step 409, the determination unit 3012 determines whether or not the intensity myopia or the position of the coherent gate is far from a predetermined value as in step 405. If it is determined that the intensity of myopia is high, it is necessary to adjust the position of the coherence gate for the same reason. Therefore, the CPU 301 similarly adjusts the coherence gate in step 408. In step 408, since the position of the retina is known in advance, the adjustment can be performed earlier than described in <OCT processing, coherence gate adjustment>.

  This is because, for example, when changing from the vitreous mode to the choroid mode, the thickness of the retina is constant at 1 mm or less regardless of the person, so the coherence gate position is set to about 1 mm away and the above adjustment is performed. , Can make adjustments quickly.

  By the above processing, when the shooting mode is changed, only the necessary automatic adjustment accompanying the mode change is automatically executed, so that shooting can be performed accurately and in the shooting mode changed in a short time.

  The above-described processing is particularly useful when an adjustment method is adopted in which adjustment is performed after returning to the reference position once when performing coherence gate adjustment or alignment adjustment, because the adjustment time can be shortened. . In addition, it is particularly useful when it takes a long time to perform image pre-adjustment processing such as image capturing that is performed before moving the mirror, lens, and stage. For example, when focus adjustment is performed by a known hill-climbing method, the CPU 301 cannot determine whether the focus is appropriate unless the focus lens is driven. In contrast, in this embodiment, when the determination unit 3012 determines that there is no change in the focus position in accordance with the change in the shooting mode, it is not necessary to adjust the focus by driving the focus lens in the first place. Therefore, the adjustment time before shooting can be shortened.

  The above example shows an example in which the shooting mode is changed after the preview shooting and before the main shooting is performed. However, after the main shooting is performed in the above processing, the same eye to be examined is subsequently shot in another shooting. It can also be applied when shooting in mode.

  In the present embodiment, when it is necessary to acquire a tomographic image of the eye to be examined in a plurality of imaging modes, a method will be described in which imaging is performed by determining the order of imaging modes in order to perform all imaging in the shortest time.

  The block diagram of the entire system, the block diagram of the OCT unit, and the block diagram of the control unit according to the present embodiment are the same as those in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. In this embodiment, it is assumed that there are more than two shooting modes. In this embodiment, it is assumed that two or more imaging modes are not set for one imaging region, and the imaging conditions are different for different imaging modes.

  When imaging a plurality of pre-selected imaging parts in a predetermined order, the imaging apparatus 10 adjusts the imaging part according to the imaging part, changes the imaging part, and changes the setting of the imaging part. Are repeated in order to obtain an image of each imaging region.

  When a plurality of imaging parts are selected, the CPU 301 of the control device 20 sets the imaging part imaging order so that the time required for adjustment of the imaging device 10 is minimized according to the determination result by the determination unit 3012. Control. Since various adjustment items corresponding to the imaging part of the imaging apparatus 10 can define standard time required for adjustment, table information in which adjustment time required for the storage unit is arranged for each adjustment item is stored. . Then, the imaging order is determined using the table information so that the adjustment time is optimized. In the method for determining the imaging order, the adjustment time is calculated for all permutations of the selected imaging region, and the permutation with the shortest adjustment time is determined as the imaging order.

  For any imaging order, the CPU 301 determines whether adjustments such as left-right eye movement, alignment adjustment, focus adjustment, and coherence gate adjustment are necessary according to changes in the imaging region. For the determination, imaging conditions associated with imaging regions before and after the change are used.

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the procedure of the specific process which the control part of a present Example performs is demonstrated.

  In step S701, the selection unit 3011 acquires instructions of a plurality of modes for photographing the eye to be examined in response to an operator (not shown) pressing the photographing mode switching button 611.

  In step S <b> 702, the CPU 301 functioning as a control unit calculates a rearrangement of all orders in the designated shooting mode. At this time, the determination unit 3012 determines whether each of right / left eye movement, alignment adjustment, focus adjustment, and coherence gate adjustment is necessary when switching modes. The determination is performed using a table described later.

  In step S <b> 703, the CPU 301 functioning as a control unit calculates a shooting time necessary for each rearranged shooting mode order.

  In step S704, the CPU 301 functioning as a control unit selects the order with the shortest shooting time calculated in step S703.

  In step S705, the CPU 301 functioning as a control unit causes the subject's eye to be imaged in the imaging mode in the order selected in step S704.

  Next, the above process will be described using an example.

  In this embodiment, the OCT apparatus provides an imaging mode shown in FIG. 8 below.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the fixation lamp lighting position and the coherence gate mode, which are one of the shooting conditions, are associated with each shooting mode. In this embodiment, FIG. 9 shows times related to various adjustments necessary for shooting.

  Assume that the operator has selected one of the shooting modes 1 to 4 shown in FIG. 10 as in step S701.

  Next, the process of step S702 is performed. The photographing modes are rearranged, and the photographing time required for each photographing mode is calculated.

  FIG. 11 shows all rearrangements of the designated shooting mode. Further, FIG. 11 shows whether or not adjustment is necessary for shooting in that order. That is, it is considered that the adjustment necessary for shooting in a certain mode does not need to be readjusted if it has already been adjusted in the previous shooting mode. In FIG. 11, “○” is shown if each adjustment item needs to be readjusted. If no adjustment is required, it is indicated as “X”.

    Left and right eye movement: If the left and right eyes to be specified are different, the optical head of the imaging device 10 needs to be moved.

  Fixation lamp lighting position change: The fixation lamp lighting is determined in advance depending on the shooting mode. In this embodiment, there are a macular mode and a nipple mode.

    Anterior segment alignment adjustment: When the optical head of the imaging apparatus is moved, it is necessary to align the anterior segment. Alternatively, when the lighting position of the fixation lamp is changed, the eyeball moves, so it is necessary to adjust the alignment of the anterior eye part again.

    Fundus focus adjustment: When the optical head of the imaging apparatus is moved, it is necessary to adjust the fundus focus. Or, when the lighting position of the fixation lamp is changed, the eyeball moves, so it is necessary to adjust the fundus focus again.

    Coherence gate adjustment: When the optical head of the imaging apparatus is moved, it is necessary to perform coherence gate adjustment (CG adjustment). Or, when the lighting position of the fixation lamp is changed, the eyeball moves, so it is necessary to adjust the coherence gate. Alternatively, even when the coherence gate mode necessary for the imaging mode is changed (from the vitreous body mode to the venous membrane mode or vice versa), it is necessary to adjust the coherence gate.

  Based on the above rules, FIG. 11 is obtained.

  Next, the process of step S703 is performed. As shown in FIG. 12, the number of adjustments necessary for each shooting order is arranged. Then, the total adjustment time required for each shooting order is calculated using FIGS. 9 and 11 and the following equation. The calculated adjustment time is shown in the rightmost column of FIG.

Adjustment calculation time = number of left / right movements × left / right movement time + number of alignment adjustments * alignment adjustment time + number of focus adjustments * focus adjustment time + CG adjustment times * CG adjustment time Next, step S704 is performed. Referring to FIG. 12, it can be seen that the order that does not take the most time for shooting is 3-4-1-2, and the total time required for adjustment is 111 seconds. Next, step S705 is performed. Shooting is performed in the order of mode 3, mode 4, mode 1, and mode 2.

  The above-described control device 20 stores the tables shown in FIGS. 8 to 12 in the ROM 304 or the hard disk 305, and executes the above-described control using such information.

  As described above, in the case where the affected eye is imaged in a plurality of imaging modes as described in the embodiments, the affected eye can be imaged in a short time by rearranging the imaging modes and minimizing necessary readjustment. Is possible.

  When the adjustment time varies depending on the adjustment amount, the adjustment time can be calculated more accurately by estimating the adjustment time in consideration of the adjustment amount. Thereby, adjustment time can be shortened.

  Furthermore, if the adjustment time varies depending on the adjustment amount, or if the adjustment time cannot be estimated accurately, or if you want to reduce the processing time for controlling the shooting sequence, the number of adjustments should be minimized, not the adjustment time. The shooting order is determined. As a result, the time required for the photographing order control process can be shortened.

  In this embodiment, when changing the shooting mode, it is efficient to omit the necessary adjustments.On the other hand, considering the possibility that proper shooting cannot be performed if adjustments for certain items are omitted, the shooting modes before and after the change are changed. Based on this, rough adjustment and other specific adjustment control are not performed. FIG. 13 shows a control apparatus according to this embodiment. Descriptions of the same configurations as those in the above-described embodiments, such as the OCT imaging unit, SLO imaging unit, and the like, are omitted.

  The CPU 1301 of the control device 1300 controls the processing by the control device 1300 in an integrated manner. The CPU 1301 expands in the RAM 303 a program for realizing the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19 described later, stored in the ROM 304, and executes instructions included in the program. Thus, the CPU 1301 functions as a mode change unit 1302, an adjustment determination unit 1303, and a completion determination unit 1304. A mode change unit 1302 changes the shooting mode. The adjustment determination unit 1303 determines whether to execute each of the adjustment items according to the mode change. The completion determination unit 1304 determines whether the adjustment is completed and an appropriate image is obtained.

  The control device 1300 includes an NDF control circuit 1305 that rotates a neutral density filter (NDF) inserted in the reference optical path to adjust the intensity of the reference light. The control unit 1300 also includes a polarization control circuit 1306 that adjusts the polarization state of the measurement light and the reference light combined by the optical coupler 203.

  The flow of processing by the control device 1300 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the processing of FIG. 14, the CPU 1301 omits coarse adjustment depending on the situation. From another viewpoint, the adjustment determination unit 1303 determines the size of the search range for adjustment of the imaging apparatus 10 according to whether or not the eye to be examined has been changed.

  In step S1401, the mode change unit 1302 changes the shooting mode in response to an input from an operation unit such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel device (not shown). For example, the mode change unit 1302 changes the shooting mode when a shooting mode different from the current shooting mode is selected in response to an instruction to press the shooting mode switching button 611 on the GUI screen shown in FIG.

  The shooting mode is defined in association with a set of shooting parameters, as in the previous embodiment. The parameters defined here include left and right eyes, fundus alignment position, coherence gate position, focus position, and the like.

  In step S1402, the adjustment determination unit 1303 refers to the shooting mode information before and after the change stored in the memory, and determines whether or not the eye has been changed. The eye change means that the eye to be imaged is changed by changing the left and right eyes or changing the subject. If it is determined that the eyes have changed, the process proceeds to step S1403.

  In step S1403, the stage drive control circuit 321 performs anterior segment alignment processing. The alignment process of the anterior segment is performed by the stage drive control circuit 321 moving the stage and placing the eye to be imaged in the optical path of the imaging optical system.

  In step S1404, the SLO scanner control circuit 308 performs coarse adjustment of the SLO focus. In coarse focus adjustment, the SLO scanner control circuit 308 can change the focus position via the focus driver 318, or a predetermined range (first focus range) at a predetermined interval (first focus interval). Move the focus position. At each focus position, the SLO scanner control circuit 308 images the fundus of the eye to be examined and detects the contrast of the obtained image. The coarse adjustment is completed by specifying the position where the image with the highest contrast is obtained as the coarsely adjusted position. The specified position is stored in the RAM 303.

  In step S1405, the SLO scanner control circuit 308 performs fine adjustment of the SLO focus. For fine adjustment of the focus, the SLO scanner control circuit 308 refers to the position of the coarse adjustment stored in the RAM 303, and a predetermined interval (second focus range) around the coarse adjustment position is set to a predetermined interval (second focus range). The focus position is moved at the focus interval). Here, the second focus range is smaller than the first focus range, and the second focus interval is smaller than the first focus interval. Fine adjustment is completed by specifying the position where the contrast of the SLO image obtained while changing the focus at the second focus interval is the highest as the finely adjusted position. The specified position is stored in the RAM 303 and the hard disk 305.

  Here, the imaging apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 has only one focus lens, but focus lenses can be arranged in SLO and OCT, respectively. When there are a plurality of focus lenses, there is a merit that is free from the problem that the angle of view of the OCT and the position of the pupil are changed in accordance with the focus of the SLO. In this case, the OCT focus position can be appropriately set in conjunction with the SLO focus position. Specifically, the fact that the light from the light source of the SLO is focused on the fundus can appropriately set the focus position of the OCT by using information such as the wavelength of the light source.

  Moreover, an appropriate tomographic image can be obtained by performing CG adjustment after adjusting the SLO focus. In other words, when the OCT focus adjustment is performed first, if the coherence gate is not properly adjusted at that time, a tomographic image cannot be obtained. On the other hand, even if the coherence gate position can be set appropriately, if the focus position of the OCT light source is not appropriate at that time, the interference light becomes weak and a tomographic image cannot be obtained. Since the SLO image can be obtained as long as the focus is met, the focus is adjusted with the SLO image, and the OCT focus is adjusted in conjunction with the SLO image, and then the CG is adjusted to efficiently obtain an appropriate OCT tomographic image. Can do.

  In step S1406, the OCT scanner control circuit 311 performs coarse adjustment of the coherence gate (CG). In the coarse adjustment of CG, the OCT scanner control circuit 311 can change the CG position via the reference mirror driver 320 or the predetermined range (first CG interval) for a predetermined range (first CG range). This is done by moving the CG position. At each CG position, the OCT scanner control circuit 311 performs tomography of the fundus of the eye to be examined, and determines the luminance value of the obtained tomographic image. By specifying the position where the tomographic image of the retina is obtained as the coarsely adjusted CG position, the coarse adjustment is completed. Here, whether or not a tomographic image of the retina has been obtained is determined using the pixel value (luminance value) of the tomographic image. When tomographic images are obtained at a plurality of CG positions, the CG position where the maximum pixel value is the largest is specified as the coarse adjustment position. The specified CG position is stored in the RAM 303.

  In step S1407, the OCT scanner control circuit 311 performs fine adjustment of the coherence gate (CG) of OCT. For fine adjustment of CG, the OCT scanner control circuit 311 refers to the coarse adjustment CG position stored in the RAM 303, and a predetermined interval (second CG range) around the coarse adjustment CG position is set to a predetermined interval (second CG range). This is done by moving the CG position at the second CG interval). Here, the second CG range is smaller than the first CG range, and the second CG interval is smaller than the first CG interval. Fine adjustment is completed by specifying the position where the luminance value of the tomographic image obtained while changing the CG at the second CG interval is the highest as the finely adjusted CG position. The specified position is stored in the RAM 303 and the hard disk 305.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1402 that the eye has not been changed, in step S1408, the SLO scanner control circuit 308 performs fine adjustment of the SLO focus in the same manner as in step S1405.

  In step S1409, the OCT scanner control circuit 311 performs fine adjustment of the coherence gate (CG) as in step S1407.

  As described above, when the same eye is continuously photographed without changing the eye due to the change of the photographing mode, it is possible to omit anterior eye part alignment, fine adjustment of SLO focus, and rough adjustment of CG. Thereby, it is possible to improve the shooting cycle time by making the adjustment at the time of changing the shooting mode more efficient. On the other hand, even if rough adjustment is omitted, since the same eye is used, the alignment and focus of the anterior eye portion do not change greatly, and therefore fine adjustment can be performed with sufficient accuracy.

  Here, when the shooting mode is changed, if there is no long time since the last shooting, there is almost no change in the situation, so in such cases there is no problem even if fine adjustment is omitted. Conceivable. FIG. 15 shows a flow of adjustment control corresponding to such a situation.

  The flow of processing by the control device 1300 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that description of the same processing as in FIG. 14 is omitted.

  The CPU 1301 counts the time since the previous shooting with the clock.

In step S1501, the adjustment determination unit 1303 acquires an elapsed time t from the previous shooting. Also, the _threshold time t _threshold is acquired from the hard disk 305. This t _threshold may be set in advance as a specified value, or may be changed according to an operation by the user via the operation unit. Then, the elapsed time t is compared with t _threshold . If it is determined that the elapsed time t is longer, the process proceeds to step S1408. If it is not determined that the elapsed time t is longer, the CPU 1301 omits steps S1408 and S1409 and ends the process.

  In this way, when the shooting interval is sufficiently short, the fine cycle adjustment is omitted in addition to the coarse adjustment, so that the shooting cycle time can be further shortened.

  In the processing of FIG. 15, fine adjustment is omitted according to the shooting interval. However, whether or not the adjustment determination unit 1303 omits fine adjustment according to, for example, user setting information stored in the memory. It may be determined. In this case, the user can make a desired adjustment.

  Here, when the coarse adjustment is omitted after the imaging mode is changed, the adjustment may be insufficient due to the movement of the subject. FIG. 16 shows the flow of adjustment control corresponding to such a situation.

  The flow of processing by the control device 1300 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that description of the same processing as in FIG. 14 is omitted.

  In step S <b> 1601, the completion determination unit 1304 determines whether the adjustment has been completed and preparation for shooting has been completed. Here, the luminance value and / or image quality of the obtained tomographic image is determined, and it is determined whether the luminance value and / or image quality satisfies a predetermined standard. In addition, it is determined using the luminance value whether or not the retina is in the obtained tomographic image. If the retina is not detected, it is determined that the adjustment is not completed.

  In step S1602, the CPU 1301 performs readjustment of the focus and coherence gate. In the readjustment, readjustment is performed using the third focus range and the third CG range that are wider than the second focus range and the second CG range.

  As described above, when it is determined that the fine adjustment is insufficient, an appropriate adjustment can be performed by performing the readjustment with the search range wider than the fine adjustment. Further, by expanding the adjustment range until sufficient adjustment is completed, even if one readjustment is insufficient, readjustment can be performed until sufficient adjustment is achieved.

  Here, when it is determined that the adjustment is insufficient even if the adjustment range is expanded to the range of the rough adjustment shown in steps S1404 to S1407, a notification indicating that photographing that satisfies the standard cannot be performed is displayed on the display device 302. In this way, it is possible to save the trouble of repeating unnecessary adjustments. In addition, if it is determined that the adjustment is insufficient even if it is expanded to a predetermined range, the adjustment may fail due to unexpected circumstances such as movement of the subject by repeating the adjustment within the predetermined range for a certain period of time. Even so, the adjustment can be completed without making an adjustment in an unnecessary range.

  Here, when the coherence gate position is changed, it may be necessary to perform fine adjustment in a wider range than when the coherence gate position is not changed. FIG. 17 shows the flow of adjustment control corresponding to such a situation.

  The flow of processing by the control device 1300 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that description of the same processing as in FIG. 14 is omitted.

  In step S1701, the adjustment determination unit 1303 refers to the shooting mode information before and after the change stored in the hard disk 305, and determines whether or not the CG position has been changed. For example, the CG position mode includes a vitreous mode that sets a position that is equidistant from the reference optical path on the vitreous side and a choroid mode that is set on the choroid side.

  If it is determined that the CG position is not changed, fine adjustments in steps S1408 and S1409 are executed as shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the CG position has been changed, it is determined that adjustment over a wider range is necessary, and the process proceeds to step S1702.

  The focus position adjustment in step S1702 differs from step S1408 in the focus position search range. The SLO scanner control circuit 308 sets the focus adjustment range as a third focus range that is smaller than the first focus range and larger than the second focus range. That is, the adjustment is performed with a wider range than the fine adjustment in step S1408. In the adjustment in step S1702, the focus movement interval may be the second focus interval, but the third focus interval is smaller than the first focus interval and larger than the second focus interval. An increase in adjustment time can be suppressed.

  The adjustment of the CG position in step S1703 is different from step S1409 in the search range of the CG position. The OCT scanner control circuit 311 sets the CG adjustment range as a third CG range that is smaller than the first CG range and larger than the second CG range. That is, the CG adjustment is performed with a wider range than the fine adjustment in step S1408.

  In step S1703, the CG or focus search range (third CG range or third focus range) can be determined according to the change mode of the adjustment item target position of the imaging apparatus 10.

  Based on FIG. 18, the fine adjustment of the coherence gate after the photographing mode change shown in step S1703 of FIG. 17 will be described. In FIG. 18, it is assumed that the CG position is changed from the vitreous body mode to the choroid mode. On the upper side of FIG. 18, the adjustment range (second range) and the interval (second interval) in the vitreous body mode (before the change of the imaging mode) are shown. On the lower side of FIG. 18, the search range is expanded in the deeper direction of the eye because it is a change from the vitreous body mode to the choroid mode. As described above, since there is a direction in the change of the position of the coherence gate, the adjustment determination unit 1303 identifies the changed direction based on the shooting modes before and after the change, and the adjustment range expands in the specified direction. Determine three CG ranges. Thereby, a CG position can be determined efficiently. As for the focus position, the adjustment determination unit 1303 determines the third focus range that is the focus search range based on the same concept, so that the focus position can be determined efficiently.

  In the adjustment in step S1703, the CG movement interval may be the second CG interval, but is a third CG interval that is smaller than the first CG interval and larger than the second CG interval. As a result, an increase in adjustment time can be further suppressed.

  As described above, the range of adjustment can be adaptively changed in accordance with the information on the mode change, so that both improvement in shooting cycle time and maintenance of image quality can be achieved. In this embodiment, when the CG position is changed due to the mode change, the search range is adjusted to be wider than the fine adjustment in the process of FIG. Thereby, even when the coherence gate is changed, a tomographic image with good image quality can be obtained by performing appropriate adjustment while shortening the adjustment time.

  Here, the items of adjustment are not limited to the items shown in FIGS. FIG. 19 shows the flow of adjustment control when adjustment items are increased.

  The flow of processing by the control device 1300 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that description of the same processing as in FIG. 14 is omitted.

  In step S1901, the stage drive control circuit 321 executes tracking of the anterior segment. The anterior segment imaging unit captures the anterior segment at a predetermined frame rate, obtains the inter-frame difference of the obtained anterior segment image, identifies the motion vector in the entire image, and sets the stage in the direction of the motion vector. move. By repeating this, the alignment by the anterior segment is maintained.

  In step S1902, the SLO scanner control circuit 308 specifies a focus position using a known hill-climbing method using contrast detection. An SLO image is used as an image to be detected.

  In step S1903, the SLO scanner control circuit 308 starts tracking the fundus. The eye part is constantly moving due to fixation micromotion, fixation disparity, and movement of the subject. Due to the influence of this movement, it may take time to set the coherence gate, or may not be set appropriately. Therefore, an SLO image is acquired at a predetermined frame rate while the fundus is in focus, and a motion vector in the SLO image is specified by obtaining an inter-frame difference. The OCT scanner control circuit 311 is controlled so as to move the scan position of the OCT scanner by the specified motion vector.

  In step S1904, the OCT scanner control circuit 311 performs coherence gate adjustment. Here, as described above, the CG position is sequentially moved in the first CG range. When a tomographic image of the retina can be acquired by moving the CG position, the adjustment range after the acquisition is narrowed and more precise adjustment is performed. The CG position having the largest maximum pixel value of the image is stored in the hard disk 305 as the adjusted CG position.

  In step S1905, the NDF control circuit 1305 rotates the neutral density filter (NDF) inserted in the reference optical path to adjust the intensity of the reference light. The NDF filter has a disk shape, and the attenuation rate varies substantially continuously depending on the position in the week direction. By rotating this with a motor, the attenuation factor of the transmitted light can be changed. The NDF control circuit 1305 rotates the NDF so that the luminance value is maximized so that the intensity of the reference light and the intensity of the measurement light have an appropriate ratio.

  In step S1906, the polarization control circuit 1306 adjusts the polarization state of the measurement light and the reference light combined by the optical coupler 203. The polarization control circuit 1306 changes the polarization states of the reference light and the interference light, and adjusts so that appropriate interference light can be obtained by the optical fiber 203. The brightness value of the image obtained by the interference light is used to adjust to an appropriate polarization state.

  In step S <b> 1907, the CPU 1301 automatically instructs the start of tomographic imaging of the eye to be examined in response to a user's imaging instruction or in accordance with the completion of adjustment. Since the shooting spirit 1 has been described with respect to the shooting operation, a description thereof will be omitted.

  In step S1908, the CPU 1301 adjusts contrast and brightness. For example, when a 20-bit image is obtained by the shooting in step S1907, a process of bit-converting the image into an 8-bit image is performed. Here, the histogram of the image is acquired, and the minimum value and the maximum value are specified. Here, the average value of the upper 1% pixel values may be adopted as the maximum value, and the average value of the lower 1% pixel values may be adopted as the minimum value. The pixel value range defined by the minimum value and the maximum value is divided into 256 8-bit gradations to obtain an image. By doing in this way, an image can be made into appropriate contrast and brightness.

  In step S1909, the SLO scanner control circuit 308 performs tracking of the anterior segment by the same method as in step S1902. This is a process corresponding to the fine adjustment in the anterior segment alignment, and needs to be executed even if there is no eye change.

  In step S1910, the SLO scanner control circuit 308 performs fundus tracking in the same manner as in step S1903. This enables appropriate imaging even if the eye to be examined moves without being able to fixate the fixation lamp. That is, it functions as an alignment fine adjustment process.

  In step S1911, the NDF control circuit 1305 performs fine adjustment of the reference light amount. In this process, the reference light quantity value stored in the hard disk 305 is used as a reference, the NDF is rotated in a range narrower than the search range in step S1905, and a sub-optimal reference light quantity value is acquired.

  In step S1912, the polarization control circuit 1306 performs fine adjustment of the polarization state. In this process, the polarization state is changed in a range narrower than the search range in step S1906 with the polarization state stored in the hard disk 305 as a reference, and the polarization state is set to a suboptimal state.

  In step S1913, the CPU 1301 instructs to take a tomographic image of the eye to be examined, as in step S1907.

  As described above, the adjustment of the reference light amount, the adjustment of the polarization state, or the adjustment of the contrast and brightness after photographing can be omitted depending on the situation.

  Further, when adjustment is performed using the hill-climbing method by focus adjustment or contrast detection, the adjustment range can be narrowed down based on the previous shooting information, so that the adjustment can be made more efficient. The same applies to other adjustment items.

(Other examples)
In the third embodiment, after the first shooting mode is set, the adjustment according to the shooting mode is started, and the shooting mode may be changed before the adjustment is completed. In this case, the adjustment determination unit 1303 of the control device 1300 determines, for example, to which step in FIG. 14 the adjustment has progressed in addition to the eye change determination in step S1402. If the eye has not been changed and if it is during or after the completion of steps S1403 and S1404, the processing from step S1405 onward is continued. This is because it is necessary to complete this when the rough adjustment has not been completed. When the photographing mode is changed during or after the focus fine adjustment in step S1405, the SLO scanner control circuit 308 performs the focus fine adjustment in step S1405 again according to an instruction from the CPU 1301. Thereafter, the processing from step S1406 is continued. This is because only the fine adjustment is necessary since the coarse focus adjustment has been completed. If the shooting mode is changed during the CG coarse adjustment in step S1406, the fine adjustment in steps S1408 and S1409 is performed after the CG coarse adjustment is completed. If the shooting mode is changed after completion of the CG rough adjustment in step S1407, the processing in step S1408 and subsequent steps proceeds.

  By doing in this way, repetition of rough adjustment can be prevented and adjustment processing can be performed efficiently.

  In any one of steps S1408 and S1409, the CPU 1301 instructs the SLO scanner control circuit 308 and the OCT scanner control circuit 311 to redo the focus fine adjustment and the CG fine adjustment.

  If the eye has been changed, the process proceeds to step S1403 regardless of which step is being processed, and the process following step S1403 is performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the SLO focus and the CG adjustment may be performed in parallel. For example, when the focus lens is in each of SLO and OCT, the OCT focus is adjusted via the OCT focus driver 319 of the OCT scanner control circuit 311 in conjunction with the SLO focus adjustment. In parallel, the OCT scanner control circuit 311 scans the OCT using the OCT scanner driver (X) 312 and the OCT scanner driver (Y) 313, acquires a tomographic image, and refers to it via the reference mirror driver 320 according to the image information. Move the mirror and adjust CG. By doing in this way, adjustment time can be shortened.

  Furthermore, when the SLO focus coarse adjustment in step S1404 and the coarse adjustment of the OCT focus linked thereto are completed, the SLO focus fine adjustment in step S1405, the CG coarse adjustment in step S1406, and the CG fine adjustment in S1407 are performed in parallel. And run. As a result, the coherence gate can be efficiently adjusted from the tomographic image information when the OCT focus is roughly adjusted.

  Similarly, the SLO focus fine adjustment in step S1408 and the OCT focus fine adjustment in conjunction with this and the CG fine adjustment in step S1409 can be performed in parallel, thereby shortening the English time to be written.

  In the third embodiment, when the eye is changed, the search range is expanded and the coarse adjustment is performed again. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is known that the characteristics of the left and right eyes are not significantly different. Even if there is a change, the coarse adjustment may not be performed. In this case, however, the alignment of the anterior segment needs to be redone.

  In the present embodiment, the first to third embodiments are described independently. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the processing of each embodiment may be combined. For example, the CPU 1301 determines the intensity myopia or the coherence gate misalignment in step 405 shown in the first embodiment, and executes the focus coarse adjustment or the coherence gate coarse adjustment even when the eye is not changed. As a result, appropriate adjustment is possible even in the case of intensity myopia or positional deviation.

  Further, for example, when performing program shooting as in the second embodiment, the time required for coarse adjustment and fine adjustment is measured in advance and stored in the hard disk 305, and the shooting order is determined in consideration of these times. If this is done, more efficient shooting becomes possible.

  In the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not adjustment is necessary for each adjustment item in accordance with the change of the shooting mode (shooting part) after the preview shooting. In the second embodiment, for a plurality of imaging modes (imaging sites) set in advance before imaging, it is determined whether or not adjustment is required for each adjustment item according to the transition of the imaging mode (change of imaging region). ing. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, the imaging mode (imaging region) may be set, and the imaging mode may be changed after the adjustment corresponding to the imaging region is started and before the adjustment is completed. In the embodiment of the present invention, even in such a case, it is possible to determine whether or not readjustment is necessary for each adjustment item using the table shown in Example 2, and to adjust only the necessary items. Further, even after the completion of adjustment and before preview photographing is completed, the determination processing by the determination unit 3012 and the adjustment control by the CPU 301 functioning as the control unit can be performed.

  In the first embodiment described above, when the determination unit 3012 determines that the position of the fixation lamp as the imaging condition is different before and after the change of the imaging mode, the determination on the position of the coherence gate is not performed. Also good. Instead, both the adjustment of the relative position between the object to be inspected and the imaging device (alignment adjustment) and the adjustment of the coherence gate position may be forcibly executed. Different alignment means that the part to be photographed itself is different, so even if the position in the depth direction to be photographed is both near the choroid, the coherence gate may not match the choroid if the part is different Because it is considered.

  In another example, in the second embodiment, the CPU 301 determines an optimal imaging order according to the input imaging mode (imaging region), displays the image on the display 302, and waits for a signal indicating permission from the user. Shooting is started in the determined shooting order. Furthermore, in response to the fact that the user may desire a specific imaging order, such as when it is desired to determine whether or not to perform imaging of another part according to the imaging result of a specific imaging part, the user does not illustrate. The change of the determined photographing order can be instructed by using a keyboard or a mouse. The CPU 301 functioning as a control unit changes the shooting order in accordance with such an instruction, and performs control to execute shooting in the changed shooting order. Furthermore, when the user partially restricts the shooting order, the CPU 301 may determine the shooting order so that shooting is performed in the order in which the shooting time is shortest among the constraints. At this time, the CPU 301 functions as a photographing order determination unit and a display control unit for the display 302.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus may have both the functions of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. In this case, the CPU 301 may determine whether to execute each function according to the user's selection. good.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that there is an automatic adjustment function. However, the user is notified of necessary adjustment work and unnecessary adjustment work to the imaging apparatus that does not have the automatic adjustment function and performs manual adjustment. It is good as well. In this case, the determination unit 3012 determines whether or not each adjustment item needs to be adjusted before and after the change of the shooting mode, and the CPU 301 displays the determination result related to the display device 302. Accordingly, an inexperienced person who is unfamiliar with the OCT imaging apparatus can efficiently set the imaging, and the imaging time is reduced for the subject, so that the imaging burden is reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control device 20 is a separate device from the imaging device 10, but is not limited thereto, and the imaging device may have a control function of the control device.

  Although the present invention can be applied to an imaging apparatus that images a living body other than the eye or an object to be inspected, the present invention can be applied to an OCT imaging apparatus that uses the principle of an optical coherence tomography. Matching time can be shortened. In particular, when the present invention is applied to an OCT imaging apparatus used for eye examination, the burden on the subject who must fix the head to the imaging apparatus 10 and continue to fixate the fixation lamp during adjustment and imaging. Can be reduced.

  In addition, the present invention may be applied to an imaging system or an image diagnostic system in which the functions of the above-described imaging device are distributed to a plurality of different devices.

  The scope of the present invention includes the computer program itself for realizing the functions and processes shown in the above-described embodiments.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiment being realized by the computer executing the read program, the embodiment of the embodiment is implemented in cooperation with an OS or the like running on the computer based on an instruction of the program. A function may be realized. In this case, the OS or the like performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Furthermore, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, so that part or all of the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized. May be. In this case, after a program is written in the function expansion board or function expansion unit, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program.

  In addition, the above-mentioned example is one of the embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image diagnostic system 10 Imaging device 20 Control apparatus 301 CPU
3011 Selection Unit 3012 Determination Unit 308 SLO Scanner Control Circuit 311 OCT Scanner Control Circuit 321 Stage Drive Control Circuit 1300 Controller 1301 CPU
1302 Mode change unit 1303 Adjustment determination unit 1304 Completion determination unit 1305 NDF control circuit 1306 Polarization control circuit

Claims (23)

A control device for an imaging device,
Selection means for selecting at least a first imaging region and a second imaging region of the eye to be examined;
Control means for performing control to adjust the position of the member of the imaging device according to the first imaging region;
When the second imaging region is selected after the adjustment according to the first imaging region is started , the position adjustment of the member of the imaging device according to the second imaging region is executed. Determination means for determining whether or not based on the first imaging region and the second imaging region,
The determination unit determines that the adjustment of the position of the focus member of the imaging device is not performed when the first imaging region and the second imaging region are the same region in the fundus of the same eye; The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first imaging region and the second imaging region are different sites in the fundus of the same eye to be examined, it is determined to adjust the position of the focus member.   The determination unit is configured such that the first imaging region and the second imaging region are in the fundus of the same eye, and the fixation lamp position of the imaging device is the first imaging region and the second imaging region. If it is determined that the imaging region is the same, it is determined that the adjustment of the position of the coherence gate is not executed, and the position of the fixation lamp is different between the first imaging region and the second imaging region. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device determines that the adjustment of the position of the coherence gate is to be executed. The determination unit determines to adjust the position of the coherence gate of the imaging device when the first imaging region and the second imaging region are different sites in the fundus of the same eye. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is a control device. The control means can execute control for adjusting the position of a member of the imaging device based on an image signal obtained by imaging by the imaging device;
4. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not to perform the adjustment when the imaging apparatus performs a plurality of imaging operations on the same eye. 5. Control device.   The control means may further control the first imaging region and the second imaging region when the second imaging region is selected before the adjustment according to the first imaging region is started. 5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the order of imaging of the first imaging region and the second imaging region is controlled based on imaging conditions associated with each. 6.   The control means controls the order of imaging of the first imaging region and the second imaging region so that the number of adjustments is reduced according to a determination result by the determination unit. Item 6. The control device according to Item 5.   The control unit controls the order of imaging of the first imaging region and the second imaging region so that the time required for the adjustment is shortened according to a determination result by the determination unit. The control device according to claim 5.   The control unit adjusts a position determined to be adjusted by the determination unit among a relative position between the eye to be examined and the imaging apparatus, a position of the focus member, and a position of a coherence gate. The control device according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so as not to adjust a position that is determined not to be adjusted by the determination unit. The first and second imaging parts are different parts of the fundus of the eye to be examined;
The control device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines to adjust a relative position with respect to the eye to be examined.   The control device according to claim 9, wherein different parts of the fundus of the eye to be examined are parts including the macula and the optic disc. The first and second imaging regions are different layers of the retina of the eye to be examined;
The control device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines to adjust a coherence gate position.   The control device according to claim 11, wherein the different layers of the retina of the eye to be examined are layers including a pigment epithelium layer and a nerve fiber layer.   The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is an optical coherence tomographic imaging apparatus. The determination unit determines to perform rough adjustment and fine adjustment of the position of the focus member when the first imaging region and the second imaging region are the left and right eyes of the same subject , When the first imaging region and the second imaging region are the same eye of the same subject, it is determined that the coarse adjustment of the position of the focus member is not performed and the fine adjustment is performed. Item 14. The control device according to any one of Items 1 to 13. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus,
Selecting at least a first imaging region and a second imaging region of the eye to be examined;
Performing a control of adjusting a position of a member of the imaging device according to the first imaging region;
When the second imaging region is selected after the adjustment according to the first imaging region is started , the position adjustment of the member of the imaging device according to the second imaging region is executed. Determining whether or not based on the first imaging region and the second imaging region,
In the determination step, when the first imaging region and the second imaging region are the same region in the fundus of the same eye, it is determined that the adjustment of the position of the focus member of the imaging device is not performed. A control method comprising: determining that the adjustment of the position of the focus member is to be executed when the first imaging region and the second imaging region are different sites in the fundus of the same eye to be examined .   In the determining step, the first imaging region and the second imaging region are within the fundus of the same eye, and the position of the fixation lamp of the imaging device is the first imaging region and the second imaging region. If it is determined that the position is the same for the imaging region, it is determined that the adjustment of the position of the coherence gate is not executed, and the position of the fixation lamp is determined between the first imaging region and the second imaging region. The control method according to claim 15, wherein it is determined that the adjustment of the position of the coherence gate is executed when it is determined that the two are different. In the determining step, when the first imaging region and the second imaging region are different sites in the fundus of the same eye, it is determined to adjust the position of the coherence gate of the imaging device The control method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: In the controlling step, it is possible to execute control for adjusting the position of the member of the imaging device based on an image signal obtained by imaging by the imaging device,
18. The determination according to claim 15, wherein in the determining step, it is determined whether or not the adjustment is executed when the imaging apparatus performs a plurality of times of imaging for the same eye. The control method described.   When the second imaging region is selected before the adjustment according to the first imaging region is started, imaging associated with each of the first imaging region and the second imaging region The control method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising a step of controlling an imaging order of the first imaging region and the second imaging region based on a condition.   In the controlling step, a position determined to be adjusted in the determining step among a relative position between the eye to be examined and the imaging device, a position of the focus member, and a position of a coherence gate is determined. The control method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the control is performed so as not to adjust the position determined to be not adjusted in the determining step.   21. The control method according to claim 15, wherein the imaging apparatus is an optical coherence tomography apparatus. In the determining step, when the first imaging region and the second imaging region are the left and right eyes of the same subject, it is determined to perform rough adjustment and fine adjustment of the position of the focus member, When the first imaging region and the second imaging region are the same eye of the same subject, it is determined that the coarse adjustment of the position of the focus member is not performed and the fine adjustment is performed. The control method according to any one of claims 15 to 21.   A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to any one of claims 15 to 22.

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