DE102009010628B4 - Method and device for color channel-selective, fundus-controlled stimulation of the visual system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is intended to provide a method and a device for targeted color channel-selective, fundus-controlled stimulation of the human eye, with the aid of which the diagnostic value of the examination can be improved and at the same time a reduction of the patient load and the associated examination and follow-up costs can be achieved. According to the invention, selective selective peg stimulation with an SST is carried out by direct projection onto the retina with simultaneous control or selectability of the location of the applied stimuli on the basis of individual features, with disturbance variables representing the location, the size, the geometry and the spectrum individually and / or technically conditionally falsified appear on the fund, be detected and compensated.

Description

The The present invention relates to a method and an associated device for stimulating the visual system of a patient according to the principle the silent substitution technique with simultaneous fundus control of the patient and simultaneous compensation technically and individually conditional false tune ions, location, size, geometry and in particular concerning the spectral composition (color).

In the diagnosis of the visual system, the investigation of functional properties and relationships is of great importance. This is especially in the early detection of diseases such. As the green star (glaucoma), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetes mellitus the case. Significant signs of illness that the ophthalmologist sees on the background of the eye are often irreversible and successful intervention is often too late. For this reason, the study of multiple processes of pathological changes (pathogenesis) at an early stage has a high priority. In the field of electrophysiology, in addition to various subjective procedures, objective investigation methods have been established (see also DE 198 24 626 A1 ). As specific susceptibilities of certain visual sensory cells are shown for various clinical pictures (for example glaucoma), special stimulation paradigms have been developed. These combine different types of stimulation (flash, pattern) with the color (influence of the wavelength) of the stimuli. The Silent Substitution Technique (SST) represents such a special stimulation paradigm. By suitable application of the SST, there is the possibility of targeted irritation of individual color channels of the eye.

Of the Patient looks up while usually SST stimulation on a screen (monitor, projection screen, or similar). The resulting Response signals are sent at the same time by means of electro-diagnostic methods, such as EEG (electroencephalogram) or ERG (electroretinogram).

at Functional examination of visual system with SST the stimuli are defined according to Applied paradigms. While the stimulation phase is for the examiner not possible on individual characteristics and structures, both healthier as well pathological nature, to respond or an individual fundus-related SST stimulation perform. This is even more true for the case that is during a measurement results clinically relevant aspects to which the doctor react with targeted stimulation (local, temporal and spectral) would like to. Only in addition obtained data, such. B. a fundus image, the performer relevant information for gain the diagnosis and therapy and let it flow into the process. The result is a high patient burden by the Use of various other diagnostic devices and procedures with simultaneously limited early diagnostic Expressiveness. reinforced this is due to the fact that in patients the changes are often fast (days, Weeks) and therefore many parallel investigations are necessary become.

task The present invention is therefore a method and a Device for stimulating the visual system of a patient according to the principle of the silent substitution technique, which with a Projection method for simultaneous acquisition and consideration of false stimuli and motion artifacts, to disposal to provide the diagnostic value of the Investigation improves while reducing patient burden and the resulting investigation and follow-up costs achieved can be.

According to the invention succeeds the solution This object with the features of the first and eleventh claim.

advantageous Embodiments of the solution according to the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing:

1 - Schematic representation of the solution according to the invention

The present invention proposes a method in which any SST-based stimulation principles or methods are combined with a retinal projection technique. As a result, a method is created with which one can selectively stimulate not only cones but all visual sensory cell types of the human eye fundus-controlled. For example, freely programmable spatial light modulators are used to apply the stimuli. However, any other projection techniques and light-modulating components are conceivable for imaging on the retina. The stimulation pattern for the selective stimulation of the visual system can be applied with sufficient spatial, temporal and spectral accuracy with compensation of movement artifacts (eye movement, blinking, etc.). The preferably used visually evoked stimulus responses of an SST stimulation are fundus-controlled and thus recorded and evaluated taking into account anatomical and pathological structures and features. Both the stimulation defi Nine areas on the retina as well as their selective irritation are controlled by the present invention throughout the study period.

Retinal projection technology

Of the Concept of retinal projection describes in principle the optical Imaging any images and structures on the retina. in the In the simplest case, the human eye serves as an optical system, the predetermined images on the eye's back depicts.

at The retinal projection can take two essential techniques from each other different: those that are simultaneous in a defined area (eg Fundus image of a fundus camera) and the pointwise illumination of the Retina (eg fundus image of a scanning laser ophthalmoscope). there can Systems based on CRT (Cathode Ray Tube, CRT) technology or Use spatial Light modulators such as microdisplays are also the first Illumination be attributed, even if there, by eye hardly noticeable, with a line-based image construction and / or Fields is worked.

From the prior art (eg DE 103 50 836 A1 ) Such, equipped without additional optics before the patient's eye, systems are known. In ophthalmology, in particular visual field measurement (perimetry), this method is used by default. The patient sits in front of a projection screen, a monitor or looks into a hemisphere.

With a device technology additional optical expenditure for illumination / stimulation of the fundus it either solutions according to the principle of indirect ophthalmoscopy (fundus camera) or after Point-by-point scanning of a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO).

fundus cameras Almost all work according to the Helmholtz principle, the 1851 was first presented ("Description an eye mirror for the examination of the retina in the living eye "Berlin: A. Forester, 1851). Different retinal areas (mostly circular cutouts with 20 ° to more typical Way 60 ° field of view) can illuminated in this way in current standard devices at the same time / stimulated become.

at the second important technique, the selective grasping becomes the fundus optically scanned by a laser beam (scanned). to Presentation of the fundus Webb et al. 1980 this new method for the first time as Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy (SLO) ("Flying spot TV ophthalmoscope ", Applied Optics, vol. 19, pp. 2991-2997, 1980; "scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope ", IEEE Transaction on Biomedical Engineering, vol. BME 28, pp. 488-492, 1981). Since the late 1980s, this technique has become active spatiotemporal Irritation z. B. with pattern stimuli in the context of glaucoma diagnosis used by ERG. Documented this is u. a. in the publications by Horn et al. ("Quadrant Pattern ERG with SLO stimulation in normals and glaucoma patients ", Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol, vol. 234 Suppl 1, pp. S 174-9, 1996) and Poloschek et al. ( "Multifocal ERG using Confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope ", The Ophthalmologist, vol. 99, pp. 457-463, 2002).

In own work was based on a fundus camera a technological Device base developed, with it possible is to project spatio-temporal patterns on the retina (Link et al., "Universal Retina Camera (URC) for Adaptive Retinal Vessel Analysis ", ARVO Meeting Abstract, Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., 2007 48: e-abstract 2580). With the help of light modulators (Spatial Light Modulators = SLM) and suitable light sources are thus arbitrary spectra ("colors") and thus Activation stimuli representable. The SLMs are controlled by a computer with appropriate graphics card.

Silent Substitution Technique (SST)

Already in the 17th century, the connection between color vision disorders and eye diseases was recognized, which was first generalized by Köllner at the beginning of the 20th century. Looking at the origin of color vision at the cellular level, eye visual acuity types (L-, M-, S-cones - dt. Cones) differ among others in calcium metabolism, in membrane permeability and in retinal number and distribution. In addition, there are differences in the course of the phototransduction cascade, which controls the conversion of the absorbed light quanta into bioelectric signals. This results in specific vulnerabilities to various diseases, which can be used diagnostically by means of suitable stimulation technology. Over the past two decades, the focus has been on the use of color perimeters to detect visual disturbances caused, for example, by glaucoma or optic neuropathies. A common method here is the use of a colored background. This is intended to reduce the sensitivity of two cone types, with one stimulation field exciting the remaining type. The mechanism described uses the blue-on-yellow perimetry. Several studies by MP Simunovic et al. ("How well does color perimetry isolate, responses from individual cone mechanisms?", J. Glaucoma., Vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 22-27, Feb. 2004) showed that only a partially isolated S-pin irritation succeeds.

Around but on the one hand arbitrary pin and this other hand, completely selective to stimulate, is the use of a methodically more complex stimulation principle necessary. The SST represents such a principle and allows it depending on the implementation, to meet both conditions. An early work on the possible Application in the field of electro-diagnostic examination of the visual system was published by O. Estevez and H. Spekreijse ( "The silent substitution method in visual research ", Vision Res., vol. 22, no. 6, pp. 681-691, 1982). Generalising this can be stated by a specially adapted stimulation sequence is realized, the only stimulates the one or more sensory cell types that are irritating. All others not to stimulating cell types, but the stimulus also reaches can do not perceive this. As a result, they do not contribute on the resulting response signal and are referred to as "silent".

in the Essentially, there are three different SST-based stimulation methods today known. In Heterochromatic Flicker Photometry (HFP), the Patient first an individual and subjective color balance between two Realize light sources. The adjustment takes place at frequencies above of 30 Hz, the actual stimulation subsequently at stimulation frequencies below of 5 Hz. Due to the different temporal resolution of the Pin types, in conjunction with an additional adaptation background, a selective color channel stimulation can be achieved. Has a disadvantage the subjective nature of the color balance turns into one incomplete Lead pin replacement can. Added to this are the increased time requirements for one Measurement and the necessary Repetitions to achieve a significant color balance.

An exemplary impact model based approach is described in the work of DC Hood et al. ("The multifocal visual evoked potential and cone-isolating stimuli: implications for L-to M-cone ratios and normalization," J. Vis., Vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 178-189, 2002). The basis for the implementation of the SST are special cone sensitivity curves (cone fundamentals). Based on the emission spectrum of a stimulator, these curves can be used to calculate the absorbed quantum number for each pin type. Thus, it is possible to create a stimulation sequence in which the absorbed quantum number of all unimaginable pin types remains constant. The latter thus do not contribute to the response signal ("silent"). However, the methodology lacks the implementation of a direct linkage of the model with other color spaces in which, for example, the stimulator used and / or its stimulus can be characterized and compared. In our own work, an alternative impact model for the application of the SST principle has been developed. The chosen approach according to RWG Hunt (Measuring color, Ellis Horwood series in applied science and industrial technology ed. London: Ellis Horwood, 1995) allows both a transition into the biological working plane of the cones (LMS space), as well as a Create a link in the standardized standard color space of the CIE (XYZ room). The necessary steps can be found in the work of S. Klee, P. Bessler, P. Husar, G. Henning and F. Schlegelmilch ("Investigation of spectral distribution and dynamics of stimulators for selective cone excitation," in IFMBE Proceedings Prague IFMBE Proceedings, 2005; Methodological and technical experimental studies on the realization of electrophysiological blue-channel stimulation. "Ilmenau University of Technology, 2005; IFMBE Proceedings, 2005;" Methodology and first results of selective cone stimulation of human eye via silent substitution technique. " Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science, 2004). Hunt's biological activity curves also allow the exact calculation of the amount of absorbed radiation (quantum absorption) per unit area and cone type of the retina. This is called activation. Access to the XYZ room, for example, allows the direct determination of color, color and white value. A calibration of the stimulator colors and the adjustment to a standard illuminant are also possible. In addition, the technical RGB space of the stimulator, which results, for example, from the control by means of PC and graphics card, was integrated into the model. The stimulator can now be any displays or projectors that can be controlled via a graphics card. Further connections of stimulators and control units are possible in principle. By programming the graphics card, which corresponds to a change in the RGB space, the photometric parameters and thus also the stimulus to be applied can be influenced. Its location in standard color space and its effect on the biological level also change, both being captured by the developed model. As a result of an exemplary application, by directly driving the stimulator for each selected stimulus, the resulting activation of the individual pin types can be calculated. It is both an exact characterization of stimulator, stimulus and biological effect, as well as the development of stimulation sequences that cause a targeted color channel irritation, possible. Due to the described adaptations of the SST principle with regard to the characteristics of the stimulator and the biological effect in the eye, the overall concept of the stimulation is referred to hereafter as Ilmenau Display and Eye Adap ted-Silent Substitution Technique (IDEA-SST).

With The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus suggested that the correct function of the combination both principles demonstrated and united in itself.

Here, the present invention is clearly different from the prior art. In DE 198 24 626 A1 . DE 198 55 848 A1 , and DE 101 46 330 A1 So far, only the implementation of a luminance and brightness compensation are treated with respect to a sense physiologically adequate irritation. It will focus on the timing and a spatially optimized stimulation to allow a topographic review of sizes of the perception function in terms of sensitivity. However, this does not address the actual correctly performed stimulation at the physical site of impact, the patient fundus, location, size, geometry and, above all, the spectrum. There is no direct fundus reference in terms of a current (time of stimulation) and individual fundus control in the form of a fundus image.

This also applies to the in the EP 1 201 181 A1 described solution. There, a monitoring of the eye and thus the line of sight of the patient for correcting the stimulus position is proposed. There is only a correction of movement artifacts (head and eye movements). There is also a lack of direct individual fundus reference for spectral, geometric, size and position-specific stimulation.

For a selective Color channel stimulation is the knowledge about the actually applied Regarding stimuli Location, size, geometry and especially the spectrum, however, is essential and therefore only with an individual simultaneous Fundusabgleich (at the same time available fundus image). By the combination of SST stimulation and retinal projection, however, additional problems arise whose solution through further measures for one correct mode of action is absolutely necessary and thus part of the method according to the invention is. An approach is described in more detail below: In the stimulation of the visual system by means of light / radiation and Projection of monochrome and / or colored structures on the fundus There is always a lack of image quality. Reason for that are the optical aberrations, being in geometric and chromatic too is different. In addition comes the equally large influence of the scattered light, that basically on every component, whether technical or biological in nature, and theirs Boundary layers and media arise. Both - optical aberration and stray light - are therefore crucial Disturbances that in the correct projection of objects / structures on the fundus Act. For one thing, these disturbances are in the optical transmission chain all technical subsystems. On the other hand, the quality at the fundus through the patient's eye due to individual imaging characteristics negatively influenced. Consequently, stimulation patterns (objects such as Circles, squares, circles) distorted on the fundus projected, d. H. the geometry of the stimulation patterns is affected. This also applies to the monochrome projection. In the color projection play in addition wavelength-dependent effects as the dispersion and diffraction play a crucial role. From this the influence on the color at the fundus results. As a result, uncorrected, colored edges (Color bleeding) and thus areas involuntarily be stimulated and thus trigger unintentional stimuli.

For a color simulation like the SST stimulation, especially the IDEA-SST stimulation, However, it is of central importance, from optical and colorimetric Point of view, the stimuli locally to be applied with the spectrum as previously calculated (spectral correctly). This fact becomes clear when, in addition to the technical side the aspects of anatomy and physiology are considered. The visual cells are about the fundus not evenly distributed, this being for cones and rods in different Dimensions are valid. Depending on the eccentricity of Stimuli, d. H. Distance from the fovea centralis (place of the sharpest vision), have different sizes so-called receptive fields are a part of the visual process or are involved as active fields through interconnection of optic cells. Should no involuntary Irritation occurs, so is the influence of a distorted geometry and / or in the spectrum of false stimulation at the intended stimulation site therefore necessarily eliminate or minimize. Especially this issue has a high priority in the error-minimized response, if spatially resolved, d. H. in the range of angular minutes at the fundus should.

The method according to the invention therefore describes a method for compensating or minimizing false stimulation (deviation in location, geometry and spectral composition) at the stimulation site using a fundus check. Prerequisite for the implementation of the compensation is the knowledge about the quantitative property of the image of the fundus, about the optical system eye and the device-technical optical beam path to a detector (eg CCD or CMOS sensor). This optical path (fundus CCD sensor) is used both for permanent observation and control of fundus structure including anatomical and pathological Characteristics as well as the control of location, geometry and spectral composition of the applied SST stimuli on the fundus. For this purpose, it is determined which geometric and chromatic aberrations exist in which form (quantity). For the geometric deviations, the variable magnification along the fundus, as well as the axial as well as the occurring distortion, are recorded spectrally with defined parameters and stored in a control matrix. For the case described, three times (distortion, axial and lateral magnification) would result in three times (primary valences eg red, green, blue). Parameter nine elements for the control matrix. To determine the data, standardized monochrome and colored patterns are used, which are matched to the primary valences (basic colors), depending on the stimulation system to be subsequently used. The acquisition of the necessary parameter values takes place with an analysis system. The control matrix is stored in the decision-making system. This procedure ensures that any projections on the fundus can then be evaluated individually by means of further beam paths (eg beam path for illumination and / or stimulation) in location, geometry and spectrum, ie patient or eye related. This is crucial for the individual correction of the SST stimuli to be applied. In all cases, the equipment projection system, in conjunction with the eye system, reduces the imaging quality due to the aforementioned optical aberrations. In the following step, with simultaneous illumination / stimulation and fundus control, the situation at the fundus is recorded as an integral variable (sum of stimulus projection on the fundus and optical imaging of the stimulus on a detector) with the aid of the analysis system and also fed to the decision system, this time as a system matrix. The control matrix can then be used to determine the device-specific and individual (eye) influence by calculating an error matrix. With the now known deviations, the projection matrix for the SST stimulus application is finally created. This is followed by the compensation of the deviations by the device-technical basis of the stimulator, the additional optics and technical components as well as the eye. This is an iterative process in which a compensation loop is run through until a previously defined value for the error matrix (error minimum) is reached in the sense of an actual-target comparison. The instructions for each optimization pass resulting from the matrices are passed to the appropriate programmable optical and electro-optical system components in the projection beam path, such as deformable mirrors and lenses, and light modulators for illumination and / or SST stimulation.

The inventive method combines the principle of selective selective peg stimulation with a direct projection on the retina at the same time Control or eligibility the location of the applied stimuli under consideration and compensation of disturbances that primarily negatively affect the location, the geometry and the spectrum. It offers a qualitatively and quantitatively better diagnostics of the visual system and in particular individual color channels for early and rapid determination of eye malfunction. This happens, by giving individual anatomical structures and pathology signs but also individual optically and radiation-physically influencing factors during the investigation (Disturbances) like z. B. geometry, dispersion, and scattering properties in the eye media, at the interfaces and in the respective layers. Thus is a better differentiation in the diagnosis possible, the primary to it It is based on the elimination of erroneous stimulus responses (eg in the EEG) due to involuntary Stimuli is coming.

The associated device according to the invention is shown schematically in FIG 1 shown. Retinal IDEA-SST stimulation begins with the analysis of the fundus ( 4 ). In this case, the characteristic structures (eg blood vessels, macula, papilla), possible pathology signs and / or other arbitrary features by means of an optical image acquisition system, the part of the general fundus acquisition system ( 6 ) is detected. For this purpose, the fundus is used by means of a lighting system ( 1 ) and a first optical transmission system ( 2 ) through the visual system (eye) ( 3 ) illuminated. Subsequently, through the eye and a second optical transmission system ( 5 ), which is completely or partially the first optical transmission system ( 2 ), the fundus information in the form of a fundus image with the fund-using system ( 6 ) recorded. The collected fundus image data are then used in a decision-making system ( 7 ). With the available data, a targeted, fundus-controlled IDEA-SST stimulation can now be performed. The operator performing decides on the embodiment of the stimulation and is in direct connection with the decision system. As a rule, the executor selects a variant of IDEA-SST stimulation deposited in the decision-making system. The control system ( 10 ) now has the task of monitoring the selected IDEA-SST stimulation in such a way that it is applied without errors, as intended. The described matrices (control and system matrix) are used. The control system compares ( 10 ) the target data of the decision-making system with the actual data, which via the analysis system ( 9 ). The analysis system ( 9 ) continuously records all relevant parameter states of components (stored in matrices). After the target / actual comparison, the decision system ( 7 ) causes the necessary corrections that are necessary for an error-free stimulation. This happens because the decision-making system ( 7 ) the correction values contained in the projection matrix to the stimulator ( 8th ) and / or the lighting system ( 1 ) and / or the transmission system ( 2 ).

Due to the technical components ( 1 ) 2 ) 5 ) 6 ) and ( 8th ) as well as by the biological components ( 3 ) (refractive surfaces and ocular media such as cornea, anterior chamber, posterior chamber) and ( 4 ) (spherical / aspherical shape and spectrally location-dependent very different transmission, reflection, absorption and scattering properties) occurs in the projection of the IDEA-SST stimuli z. T. to significant geometric and / or spectral aberrations. These deviations have to be determined individually, according to each examined eye, and compensated. For this purpose, the stimulation path is characterized and analyzed in such a way that the result is an error-free projection (correct location and correct spectrum over the location). The analysis and the subsequent corrective actions are preferably performed in real time, and there may be arbitrary passes in the adaptation procedure.

For the realization of the method according to the invention are in the prior art ophthalmic systems / devices such as fundus cameras, scanning laser ophthalmoscopes, but also devices from the multimedia sector as a device-technical basis in any design and combination conceivable. The components can 1 . 2 . 5 . 6 and 8th in 1 consist of a single system as well as composed of any number of subcomponents or subsystems. For the application of the IDEA-SST stimuli on the ocular fundus, basically all types and methods of projection are conceivable. B. scanning, at the same time, in transmitted light or in incident light, where combinations can exist with each other here. In particular, this applies to the lighting system ( 1 ) and the stimulator ( 8th ). This can be one and the same device or a parallel arrangement of two or more systems / devices. To generate the stimuli any light and radiation sources, such. As lasers, laser diodes, incandescent lamps, xenon lamps, LEDs, OLEDs, CRTs, plasma or luminescent are used in any combination with light and radiation modulators (eg., LCDs, LCoSs, F-LCOSs, DMDs, optical choppers, acousto -optical modulators, diaphragms, lenses (spherical, aspherical, liquid lenses) and lens arrays working together.With regard to the high demands on the spectrally correct color projection, additional optically, photometrically and colorimetrically effective elements in any number, position and position in the beam paths can be used, such as For example, cut-on, cut-off, band-stop, band-pass, dichroic and trichroic filters that function in both transmission and / or reflection and / or absorption and / or emission effects including its driving and the transmission system (s), it finally allows a projection of any IDEA SST stimuli, also arbitrary constructed mono- or multifocal sequences (eg. M-sequences, Kasami sequences, gold sequences, platinum sequences) on the retina, using any SST approaches (eg, HFP or effect model based).

The Fundus data collection has at first, how already described, the task a starting status in the sense of structural information on the fundus on the basis of a fundus image to investigate. It can different receivers / detectors any technological design, such as B. CCD, CMOS, EMCCD, ICCD, photomultiplier, singly or Working in parallel, can be used in any number. in the Examination procedure in the application of the SST stimuli, the aforementioned recipients to continuous control of both the fund structure and the stimuli, preferably the IDEA-SST stimuli used. Furthermore, go to the Data collection artifacts, such. B. head movements, eye movements, Lidschlag, a, which by any method (eg optical, electrical, mechanical, magnetic, electromagnetic, acoustic, bioelectric or biomagnetic) can be detected. All necessary system components are connected to the analysis system, this one being individual adapted as many subsystems exist around the respective z. As geometric, densitometric, spectral, thermal, electrical, energetic, mechanical, electro-optical and to determine biological properties. Be about the correction system the analysis data is collected and using the actual values of the decision-making system adjusted. The decision-making system then forwards the necessary ones Corrections to the subsystems continue. The corrective measures preferably run in real time, with there being arbitrary passes in the adaptation process can. This affects above all the subsystems stimulator and the corresponding transmission system, the essentially the geometric, spectral, energetic and colorimetric Make adjustments to allow for error-free stimulation.

Optionally, an additional module can be used, which monitors the stimulation also non-optically or parallel to the fundus acquisition obtained data (eg by ERG, BOG, EEG, MEG, MRI, fMRI, PET) recorded via the analysis system or an external system and, if necessary, makes available to the correction system and thus also to the decision-making system. All mathematical transformation methods (eg FFT, Laplace, etc.) or combinations thereof can be used to generate the stimulation sequences, in the stimulation procedure and its control as well as in the on- or offline evaluation of the measured data. In the evaluation, any evaluation algorithms can be used, for example, in the time, frequency or time-frequency domain or analysis methods such as component decomposition, averaging, ICA, PCA, PARAFAC, matching pursuit or source reconstruction algorithms.

With The disclosed invention is a geometric and colorimetric correct individual stimulation and examination of the visual sense cells of the eye possible. An implementation of the method according to the invention into existing ones Diagnosis technique (eg fundus cameras, scanning laser ophthalmoscopes) or in any therapy devices is also possible here.

1

lighting system

2

first optical transmission system

3

visual System (eye)

4

fundus

5

second optical transmission system

6

Fund User acquisition system

7

decision system

8th

stimulator

9

analysis system

10

correction system

Claims (17)

Method for stimulating the visual system of a patient according to the principle of the silent substitution technique, in which the stimulation of the visual system is combined with a projection method, wherein geometrically and spectrally induced false stimulations, patient-specific fundus information and movement artefacts are recorded and compensated or taken into account at the same time, characterized in that the stimulation of the visual system is combined with a retinal projection method, whereby spectrally induced false stimulations and patient-specific fundus information are recorded simultaneously and compensated or taken into account in an iterative method with the aid of correction parameters. Method according to claim 1, characterized that the visual system is magnetic, electric or electromagnetic stimulated with a Silent Substitution Techniqueorts- and color-true becomes. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized that different areas of the fundus with different wavelength spectra be illuminated / irradiated. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized that takes into account existing structural fund information become. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized that the motion artifacts of the visual system with the help of optical, electrical, electro-optical, mechanical, magnetic, electromagnetic, acoustic, bioelectric or biomagnetic Method be detected. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized that the false stimulations, the fundus information and the motion artifacts recorded sufficiently quickly and evaluated online or offline become. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized that, simultaneously with the stimuli, further projections, fixation and optotypes, to be mapped to the fundus. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized that method for improving the signal-to-noise ratio be used. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized that a combination with mathematical transformation methods both in the creation of the stimulation sequences, the stimulation procedure or Control as well as in the evaluation of the measured data takes place. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized that any evaluation algorithms in the time, frequency or time frequency space and analysis methods and source reconstruction algorithms become. Device for stimulating the visual system with a method according to one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: - a stimulator ( 8th ) for reproducing the generated stimuli - a lighting system ( 1 ) for the visual system ( 3 ) - a first and second optical transmission system ( 2 ) and ( 5 ) - a fundraising system ( 6 ) for the determination of false stimulation, fundus information and movement artefacts - an analysis system ( 9 ) for recording and transmitting the parameter values and - a decision-making ( 7 ) and correction system ( 10 ) to control and monitor the stimulation. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that in the lighting system ( 1 ) several illumination or irradiation devices with coherent or incoherent light or radiation sources are used, which are temporally, colorimetrically and in terms of their illumination or irradiation area spatially matched to each other. Device according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that in the Fundus acquisition system ( 6 ) ophthalmic devices are used. Device according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized that for generation and transmission the stimuli different electrical, optical, mechanical, electro-optical, electro-mechanical or magnetic light and radiation modulators are used. Device according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized that extra optical, energetic and colorimetrically effective components both in transmission and / or reflection and / or the influence of Absorption and / or emission are introduced into the beam path. Device according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized that they are in any diagnostic equipment, especially multimodal Diagnostic equipment, is integrable. Device according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized that they are used in combination with any therapy devices becomes.