JP2006025925A - Ophthalmologic photography apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ophthalmologic photography apparatus which can execute a comparatively easy fluorescence photography by automatically sensing the condition that a fluorescent material reaches a blood vessel of the fundus of the eye to perform the fluorescence photography. <P>SOLUTION: When the fluorescent material is injected in a vein of a subject, the fluorescent material reaches the blood vessel of the fundus of the eye Ef and emits the fluorescent light. At the early stage, the fluorescent material reaches the blood vessel at an end part of the fundus of the eye Ef. The fluorescent light emitted from the fundus of the eye Ef is received by an area CCD 30a and the quantity of light (the brightness) is detected. The detection result is inputted in a comparison means 110 and is compared with the preset quantity of light (the brightness). As the result of the judgment, when the detected quantity of light (the brightness) is equal to or more than the preset quantity of light (the brightness), upon receiving the result of the judgment, a xenon lamp controlling circuit 106 makes a xenon lamp emit light to take a photograph of the blood vessel of the fundus of the eye. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus capable of performing visible fluorescent photographing and infrared fluorescent photographing of the fundus, and particularly relates to an ophthalmic photographing apparatus characterized by the start timing of fluorescent photographing.

  A fundus camera as a conventional ophthalmologic photographing apparatus is known which can perform visible fluorescent photographing and infrared fluorescent photographing in order to know the retinal circulation dynamics of the fundus of the eye to be examined and the state of the vascular retinal barrier.

  A visible-fluorescence fundus camera injects a fluororesen fluorescent agent into a subject and illuminates the fundus of the subject's eye with visible light having a wavelength that can excite the fluorescent agent, and captures the fluorescence excited by the illumination light. To do.

  A fundus camera for infrared fluorescence photography injects indicyanine green into a subject and illuminates the fundus of the subject's eye with infrared light having a wavelength that can excite the fluorescent agent, and excites it with infrared light. Fluorescence is captured.

  Conventionally, fluorescence imaging using a timer is performed (for example, Patent Document 1). In this prior art, the timing for intravenously injecting the fluorescent agent to the subject is measured, and then a timer is started and imaging is started after a certain time.

  In addition, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus has a use of performing continuous photographing. In fluorescent photographing, in order to photograph a process in which a fluorescent agent spreads in a fundus blood vessel, a plurality of times (several seconds to several tens of seconds) (several times) Times to several tens of times). In fluorescent photographing, in many cases, one photographing is performed by pressing the shutter button once, and continuous photographing is performed at a photographing interval (time interval) determined by the operating condition of the hardware by continuously pressing the shutter button.

JP 2000-296114 A (paragraphs [0013]-[0015])

  However, in the conventional ophthalmologic photographing apparatus, it is necessary for the examiner to observe the fundus, determine whether or not the fluorescent agent has reached the blood vessel of the fundus, and then press the shutter button to perform photographing. In particular, in order to perform fluorescence imaging at the initial stage of fluorescence (when the fluorescent agent reaches the blood vessel of the fundus), the examiner needs to make an initial determination of the fluorescence. Depending on the determination, there is a risk of missing the initial fluorescence. In particular, in the case of an inexperienced examiner, it is difficult to make the determination, and thus it was not possible to easily perform imaging at the initial stage of fluorescence.

  Further, in the case of determining the start of imaging using the timer described in Patent Document 1, the time until the fluorescent agent reaches the fundus of the fundus varies depending on the individual patient. It is necessary to keep. And it is necessary to set a timer in anticipation of the time when the fluorescent agent reaches the blood vessel of the fundus. Since it is necessary to predict the time in this way, there is a possibility that imaging at the initial stage of fluorescence may be missed depending on the set time, and even this method cannot be easily performed at the initial stage of fluorescence.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and by automatically detecting fluorescence emitted from the fundus, it automatically determines when the fluorescent agent reaches the blood vessel of the fundus and automatically starts fluorescence imaging. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus that enables fluorescent photographing relatively easily. An object of the present invention is to reduce the burden on the examiner and improve the operability of the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus with the facilitation of fluorescent photographing.

  The invention according to claim 1 is based on luminance detection means for detecting the luminance by receiving the fluorescence emitted from the fundus of the subject's eye to which the fluorescent agent has been intravenously injected, and the detection result of the luminance detection means. Illumination optical system for irradiating the fundus of the subject's eye with visible light or infrared light, and photographing means for fluorescently photographing the fundus of the subject's eye when visible light or infrared light is irradiated by the illumination optical system And an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus.

  The present invention is characterized by the timing of fluorescent photographing. When the fluorescent agent is intravenously injected and a predetermined time elapses, the fluorescent agent reaches the blood vessel of the fundus of the eye to be examined and emits fluorescence. The luminance of the fluorescence emitted from the fundus is detected, and fluorescence imaging is automatically started based on the luminance value. In this way, by automatically photographing while detecting the luminance of the fluorescence, when the fluorescent agent reaches the blood vessel of the fundus, the fundus can be photographed almost simultaneously. That is, since the initial state of fluorescence can be automatically determined, fluorescence imaging of the fundus can be performed relatively easily, and the burden on the examiner is reduced.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the illumination optical system is configured such that when the luminance detected by the luminance detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined value set in advance. Irradiating the fundus of the subject's eye with visible light or infrared light, and the imaging means receives light from the illumination optical system and receives fluorescence emitted from the fundus of the subject's eye, thereby The fundus is characterized by fluorescence imaging of the fundus.

  This preset value (set value) indicates, for example, the luminance of the fluorescence when the fluorescent agent reaches the fundus. Therefore, it can be determined that the time when the detection result is equal to or greater than the set value is the time when the fluorescent agent reaches the fundus. By performing fluorescence imaging based on the determination, it is possible to automatically determine the initial fluorescence state, and relatively easily fluorescence imaging of the fundus is possible.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the illumination optical system is applied to the fundus of the eye to be examined when there is a change in luminance detected by the luminance detecting means. Irradiating visible light or infrared light, and the imaging means receives the light from the illumination optical system and receives fluorescence emitted from the fundus of the subject's eye to perform fluorescence imaging of the fundus of the subject's eye It is a feature.

  As in the present invention, by starting fluorescence imaging when the detected luminance changes, it is possible to automatically determine the initial fluorescence, making it possible to perform fluorescence imaging of the fundus relatively easily. The burden on the person is reduced.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the imaging means is a light amount of light that the illumination optical system irradiates the fundus of the eye to be examined. Accordingly, a predetermined number of fundus images are continuously photographed.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the amount of the light can be set, and the photographing unit displays a predetermined number of fundus images according to the set value. This is characterized by continuous shooting.

  The present invention is used particularly when the fundus fluorescence is continuously taken. In the case of continuous fluorescent photographing, the burden on the patient increases, so that the burden is reduced by changing the number of photographs according to the amount of light of the illumination optical system. For example, when the illumination optical system has a large amount of light, the number of images is reduced to reduce the burden on the patient. As a method of reducing the number of shots, there are a method of reducing the number of shots according to the light amount setting value and a method of detecting the light emitted from the illumination optical system and determining the number according to the detection result. When determining the number of sheets after detecting light, continuous shooting is stopped according to the detected light quantity. Note that this detection is performed by the luminance detection means, and the imaging means performs photographing for the number of sheets corresponding to the detection.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the luminance detecting means is a CCD, and detects a luminance on a predetermined scanning line of the CCD. It is characterized by this.

  A seventh aspect of the invention is the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the invention, wherein the luminance detecting means detects luminance on a plurality of arbitrary scanning lines.

  Even if a part without a blood vessel or a part with a relatively thin blood vessel is measured, the fluorescence cannot be detected or only a small amount of fluorescence can be detected, making it difficult to determine the initial fluorescence. . According to the present invention, since the examiner can arbitrarily set a measurement location (CCD scanning line), it becomes possible to select and measure a relatively thick blood vessel, and fluorescence is easily detected. By selecting and measuring such a part, the initial determination of fluorescence becomes relatively easy. Furthermore, by measuring the luminance on a plurality of scanning lines, a wide range of measurement is possible, and the initial determination of fluorescence is further facilitated.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an alignment optical system that irradiates the eye to be examined with alignment light, and the luminance detecting means. However, when detecting the brightness, the alignment optical system stops irradiation of the alignment light.

  Although alignment light irradiation is necessary at the time of alignment of the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus, it is unnecessary when the luminance detection means detects the luminance of the fluorescence from the fundus. Since the amount of fluorescent light from the fundus is small, the irradiation of the alignment light is stopped in order not to interfere with the detection. As a result, the measurement efficiency of the luminance detection means can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising photographing stopping means for stopping the continuous photographing of the photographing means. It is.

  According to the first to third aspects of the invention, it is possible to automatically determine whether or not the fluorescent agent has reached the blood vessel of the fundus by receiving the fluorescence emitted from the fundus of the eye to be examined. It becomes. Since fluorescence imaging is started based on the detection result, it is possible to perform imaging in the initial stage of fluorescence relatively easily, reducing the burden on the examiner, and improving the operability of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus. It becomes.

  According to the inventions described in claims 4 and 5, in addition to the above-described effects, it is possible to reduce the burden on the subject's eye when the imaging is continuously performed.

  According to the invention described in claim 6 and claim 7, according to the present invention, the examiner can select and detect a scanning line at a position corresponding to a portion where the blood vessel of the fundus is relatively thick. Determination of the initial fluorescence is relatively easy.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, by stopping the irradiation of the alignment light, it is relatively easy to determine the initial stage of fluorescence even when the amount of fluorescence emitted from the eye to be examined is small. .

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to stop the erroneously started imaging by providing the imaging stop means.

  Hereinafter, an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

(Constitution)
An optical system of a fundus camera (ophthalmologic photographing apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an optical system of a fundus camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the fundus camera according to the present embodiment mainly includes an illumination optical system 1 and an observation / photographing optical system 2.

[Illumination optics]
First, the configuration of the illumination optical system 1 will be described. The illumination optical system 1 has an observation illumination optical system and a photographing illumination optical system.

  The photographing illumination optical system includes a xenon lamp 6, a condenser lens 7, a small diameter light shielding plate 8, a ring-shaped stop 9, a small diameter light shielding plate 10, a relay lens 11, a reflection mirror 12, a relay lens 13, and a black dot. A plate 14, a relay lens 15, a perforated mirror 16, and an objective lens 17 are provided. These optical components are installed in this order.

  The xenon lamp 6 is a light source that is turned on during fluorescent photographing of the fundus oculi Ef of the eye 3 to be examined. The condenser lens 7 is an optical element that collects the photographing light from the xenon lamp 6 and irradiates the fundus oculi Ef evenly.

  The photographing illumination light from the xenon lamp 6 is projected onto the fundus oculi Ef of the eye 3 to be examined through optical components from the condenser lens 7 to the objective lens 17. In the optical path between the xenon lamp 6 and the condensate lens 7, exciter filters E1 and E2 used when performing fluorescence photographing of the fundus image of the fundus oculi Ef are installed. The exciter filter E1 is used for visible fluorescent photographing, and the exciter filter E2 is used for infrared fluorescent photographing. The exciter filters E1 and E2 are installed on the optical path by solenoids S1 and S2, respectively.

  The observation illumination optical system includes a halogen lamp 4 as an observation light source, a condenser lens 5, and optical components from the condenser lens 7 to the objective lens 17.

  The halogen lamp 4 is a light source capable of continuously emitting light that is turned on when the examiner observes the fundus oculi Ef of the eye 3 to be examined or when performing color imaging of the fundus oculi. The condenser lens 5 is an optical element that collects the observation illumination light from the halogen lamp 4 and uniformly irradiates the fundus oculi Ef. Then, the observation illumination light from the halogen lamp 4 is projected onto the fundus oculi Ef via optical components from the condenser lens 7 to the objective lens 17.

  The small-diameter light shielding plate 8 is disposed at a position conjugate with the cornea 25, the ring slit 9 is disposed at a position conjugate with the pupil 28, and the small-diameter light shielding plate 10 is disposed at a position conjugate with the rear surface 26a of the crystalline lens 26. . Further, the black spot plate 14 is a light blocking body that prevents the reflected light from the surface of the objective lens 17 from passing through the hole 16 a of the perforated mirror 16.

  A small mirror 40 is provided in the optical path between the illumination diaphragm 8 and the illumination diaphragm 10 of the illumination optical system 1. The small mirror 40 constitutes a part of the focus index projection system 41. The focus index projection system 41 includes a split light source 42 as a focus light source, a condenser lens 43, a split prism 44, an index plate 45, a relay lens 46, and a reflection mirror 47.

  The structure of the focusing index projection system 41 is known. When the split light source 42 is turned on, the infrared light beam condensed by the condenser lens 43 is guided to the split prism 44 and refracted and transmitted. A split indicator light beam is transmitted through a transmission window (not shown). Then, the split index light beam is guided to the relay lens 46, the reflection mirror 47, and the small mirror 40. The output index light beam reflected by the small mirror 40 is projected onto the fundus oculi Ef of the eye 3 to be examined via the optical components from the illumination stop 10 to the objective lens 17, and is split onto the fundus oculi Ef similar to the transmission window of the index plate 45. An index image is formed.

[Observation / Shooting Optical System]
Next, the configuration of the observation / imaging optical system 2 will be described. The observation / photographing optical system 2 includes an objective lens 17 facing the eye 3 to be examined, a perforated mirror 16, a focusing lens 19, a coupling lens 20, and a quick return mirror 21. The quick return mirror 21 constitutes a part of an electronic observation / photographing optical system. This electronic observation / imaging optical system will be described later.

  A half mirror 76 is provided in the optical path of the observation / photographing optical system 2 between the perforated mirror 16 and the focusing lens 19. In the optical path between the half mirror 76 and the focusing lens 19, barrier filters B <b> 1 and B <b> 2 that are used when performing fluorescence photographing of a fundus image of the fundus oculi Ef are installed. The barrier filter B1 is used for visible fluorescence imaging, and the barrier filter B2 is used for infrared fluorescence imaging. The barrier filters B1 and B2 are detachably installed on the optical path by solenoids S3 and S4, respectively.

  Further, a quick return mirror 21 ′, a shutter M, and a film FL are provided behind the quick return mirror 21. The shutter M and the film FL constitute a part of a 35 mm film camera (not shown). The quick return mirror 21 'constitutes a part of the finder optical system F. The finder optical system F is used when the examiner observes the eye 3 to be examined.

  The quick return mirror 21 is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (not shown), and is flipped up when an image of the fundus oculi Ef is photographed by a 35 mm film camera so that the light flux from the eye 3 to be examined is reflected. It leads to the film FL. When shooting with the television camera (digital camera) 30, the light beam is obliquely arranged on the optical path so as to reflect and deflect the light beam.

  The quick return mirror 21 ′ is provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis (not shown). When the examiner observes the eye 3 to be examined, a click return mirror 21 'is provided obliquely on the optical path so as to deflect the light beam and guide it to the finder optical system F. Further, when taking an image of the fundus oculi Ef with a 35 mm film camera, the quick return mirror 21 'is retracted on the optical path.

  The half mirror 76 constitutes a part of the alignment projection system 69. The alignment projection system 69 includes an alignment light source 70, a condenser lens 71, a light guide 72, an oblique mirror 73, a two-hole aperture 74, and a relay lens 75.

  The alignment light source 70 generates light having a wavelength in the visible region to the infrared region. The alignment index light beam incident on the light guide 72 exits from the exit end 72a, is reflected by the projecting mirror 73, passes through the two holes 74a (one is omitted) of the two-hole aperture 74, and passes through the relay lens 75. To the half mirror 76.

  The alignment index light beam reflected by the half mirror 76 toward the perforated mirror 16 is once formed as an alignment index image at the center position X of the hole 16a. The pair of alignment index light beams once imaged at the central position X of the hole 16a is projected onto the cornea 25 of the eye 3 to be examined through the objective lens 17.

  Here, when the working distance W from the eye 3 to the fundus camera device body and the vertical and horizontal positions relative to the eye 3 are appropriate, the cornea 25 is caused by a pair of alignment index light beams that form an image of the exit end 72a. An alignment index image is projected at a position Cc at which the corneal curvature is ½, which is an intermediate position between the vertex Cf and the corneal curvature center Cr.

  Further, when the working distance W from the eye 3 to the fundus camera apparatus body is deviated from the appropriate position, the alignment image based on the pair of alignment index light beams is separated at the position Cc where the corneal curvature is ½. Projected. That is, the two-hole aperture 74 is an optical member that separates the alignment index image based on the alignment index light beam and projects it onto the eye 3 when the working distance from the eye 3 to the fundus camera apparatus body deviates from the appropriate position. To play a role.

  The alignment index light beam reflected by the cornea 25 is imaged by the objective lens 17 at a position R conjugate with the fundus oculi Ef when the working distance W is appropriate. The alignment index light beam formed at the position R passes through the hole 16a and forms an image on the area CCD 30a (Charge Coupled Device) of the TV camera (digital camera) 30 in the same manner as the reflected light beam forming the fundus image. Is done. Then, one light spot as an alignment index image (image of the emission end 72a) is displayed on the screen of the television monitor 32 together with the fundus oculi image Ef '. When the working distance W is deviated from the proper position, the light spot as the alignment index image (image of the emission end 72a) is separated and displayed on the screen of the television monitor 32, and the examiner matches / separates the alignment image. The alignment adjustment can be performed based on the above.

  The electronic observation / imaging system includes a field lens 22 disposed at a position conjugate with the fundus oculi Ef, a reflection mirror 23, a relay lens 24, and a television camera (digital camera) 30 as image receiving means. Then, the fundus image by the reflected light from the fundus oculi Ef of the eye 3 to be examined is an optical component from the objective lens 17 to the imaging lens 20, a quick return mirror 21, a field lens 22 conjugate with the fundus oculi Ef, a reflection mirror 23, The image is formed on the area CCD 30 a of the television camera (digital camera) 30 through the relay lens 24 and the mask 36.

  The image signal from the area CCD 30a is normally input to a television monitor 32 as image output means via an arithmetic control circuit of a camera control circuit 31 described later, and a fundus image is displayed on the television monitor 32. The total number of scanning lines of the area CCD 30a used in this embodiment is 525.

[Camera control circuit]
Next, the circuit configuration of the camera control circuit provided in the fundus camera according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit of the fundus camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. The camera control circuit 31 includes a CPU and a control circuit 100 that controls each part of the fundus camera. The control circuit 100 is connected with a photographing switch 101, a photographing device selection switch 102, and a photographing mode selection switch 103.

  The photographing switch 101 is formed of, for example, a joystick, and has a function of outputting a photographing start signal to the control circuit 100 and causing the xenon lamp 6 to emit light when automatic photographing start is not performed. Also, it has a function of stopping the continuous shooting while continuously shooting in the automatic shooting mode. When the photographing switch 101 is depressed during continuous photographing, a signal corresponding to the depression is output to the control circuit 100, and the emission of the xenon lamp 6 is stopped.

  The photographing device selection switch 102 is used to select any one of a 35 mm camera (not shown), a polaroid camera (not shown), a television camera (digital camera) 30 as an electronic video recording device, and the like as a recording medium.

  The photographing mode selection switch 103 is used to select any one of a color photographing mode, a visible monochromatic photographing mode, a visible fluorescent photographing mode, an infrared fluorescent photographing mode, an infrared monochromatic photographing mode, and the like as a photographing mode. Further, the photographing mode is used to select either an automatic photographing mode in which photographing is automatically started or a manual photographing mode in which photographing is performed at the timing when the examiner presses the photographing switch 101.

  The control circuit 100 is connected to solenoid drive circuits 105 and 106. The solenoid drive circuit 105 is connected to the solenoids S1 and S2, and performs drive control of the solenoids S1 and S2 for inserting the exciter filters E1 and E2. The solenoid drive circuit 106 is connected to the solenoids S3 and S4, and performs drive control of the solenoids S3 and S4 for inserting the barrier filters B1 and B2.

  The control circuit 100 is connected to a xenon lamp control circuit 107, a halogen lamp control circuit 108, a split light source control circuit 109, and an alignment light source control circuit 110.

  Further, the control circuit 100 is provided with an area CCD 30a and a comparison means 110. In the present embodiment, the area CCD 30a receives the fluorescence emitted from the fundus oculi Ef and detects the amount of light (luminance). For example, the amount of light (luminance) on a predetermined scanning line of the area CCD 30 a is detected, and the detection result is output to the control circuit 100. The comparison unit 110 compares the light amount (luminance) detected by the area CCD 30 a with a predetermined light amount (luminance) set in advance, and outputs the comparison result to the control circuit 100. The area CCD 30a corresponds to the “luminance detection means” of the present invention.

  Further, the control circuit 100 is provided with a storage device 111 for storing the fundus image and the result detected by the area CCD 30a, and a television monitor 32. The storage device 111 includes, for example, a memory such as a RAM and a ROM, an optical disk device, a hard disk, and the like. The storage device 111 stores a program for controlling the entire camera control circuit 31 and various setting conditions. This setting condition includes the above-described predetermined light quantity (luminance) value.

  Although not shown, the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with an input device (control panel, keyboard, mouse, etc.) for inputting various setting conditions.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the fundus camera according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the fundus camera in the visible fluorescence imaging mode and the infrared fluorescence imaging mode will be described.

[Observation]
When the fundus camera is turned on, the control circuit 100 outputs a signal to the halogen lamp control circuit 107, and the halogen lamp control circuit 107 turns on the halogen lamp 4. In this state, alignment work and focusing work on the fundus oculi Ef of the eye to be examined are performed. By observing the alignment index and the focus index on the television monitor 32, the vertical and horizontal position adjustments and the optical axis direction focus adjustment of the fundus camera apparatus main body with respect to the eye 3 to be examined are performed. When this operation is completed, the illumination light from the halogen lamp 4 is projected onto the fundus oculi Ef of the eye 3 to be examined via the illumination optical system 1 and reflected.

  On the other hand, the reflected light from the fundus oculi Ef of the eye 3 to be examined is the optical components from the objective lens 17 to the imaging lens 20 of the observation / photographing optical system 2, the quick return mirror 21, the mask 36 conjugate with the fundus oculi Ef, and the field. The light is guided to the area CCD 30a via the lens 22, the reflection mirror 23, the relay lens 24, and the like, and is imaged on the area CCD 30a. When light is received by the area CCD 30a, the quick return mirror 21 is arranged obliquely.

  The digital signal from the area CCD 30 a is input to a D / A converter (not shown) via the control circuit 100, converted into an analog signal, and input to the television monitor 32. Thereby, the fundus image is displayed on the television monitor 32 in real time.

  When observing with the finder optical system F, the quick return mirror 21 is flipped up. Reflected light from the fundus oculi Ef is reflected by the quick return mirror 21 'and enters the finder optical system F for observation.

[Visible fluorescence photography]
Next, at the time of visual fluorescence photographing of the fundus oculi Ef, fluorescein for visible fluorescence is intravenously injected into the patient. Then, for example, the television camera (digital camera) 30 is selected by the photographing apparatus selection switch 102, and the visible fluorescent photographing mode is selected by the photographing mode selection switch 103. Further, the automatic shooting start mode is selected by the shooting mode selection switch 103 (step S01). When shooting with a 35 mm film camera, the 35 mm film camera is selected by the shooting device selection switch 102.

  The control circuit 100 receives a signal corresponding to the visible fluorescent photographing mode from the photographing mode selection switch 103 and operates the solenoid driving circuits 104 and 105. The solenoid drive circuits 104 and 105 drive and control the solenoids S1 to S4, and the solenoid S1 inserts the exciter filter E1 into the optical path of the illumination optical system 1, and the solenoid S3 inserts the barrier filter B1 into the optical path of the observation / imaging optical system 2. To do. The remaining exciter filter E2 and barrier filter B2 are retracted from the optical path or maintained at the retracted position.

  When the fluorescent agent is intravenously injected, the fluorescent agent reaches the blood vessel of the fundus oculi Ef of the eye 3 to be examined and emits fluorescence. A state where this fluorescent agent reaches the blood vessel of the fundus oculi Ef will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a fundus oculi image Ef ′ displayed on the screen 32 </ b> A of the television monitor 32. In the figure, a nipple 81 and a blood vessel 82 are shown.

  The fluorescent agent intravenously injected into the patient first reaches the thick blood vessel of the fundus oculi Ef by blood circulation, and gradually penetrates into the thin blood vessel with the passage of time. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in the initial stage when the fluorescent agent reaches, the blood vessels (for example, blood vessels 82a and 82b) at the end of the fundus oculi Ef of the eye 3 to be examined are reached. The fluorescence emitted from the fundus oculi Ef is received by the area CCD 30a from the objective lens 17 via the relay lens 24, and the area CCD 30a detects the light quantity (luminance) of the fluorescence (step S02). In this state, the quick return mirror 21 is obliquely arranged, and the fluorescence is reflected by the quick return mirror 21 and guided to the area CCD 30a.

  For example, the light amount (luminance) on a predetermined scanning line of the area CCD 30a is detected. At this time, the light amount (luminance) on the line at the position corresponding to the portion where the blood vessel as thick as possible exists is detected. In the case of the fundus oculi Ef as shown in FIG. 4, since a thick blood vessel exists near the center, the light amount (luminance) on the scanning line at the position corresponding to that portion is detected.

  The number and position of the scanning lines for detecting the amount of light (luminance) can be arbitrarily specified and set by the examiner, and the scanning lines at positions where fluorescence is easily detected can be specified and set by experience. Can do. This designation is made in advance by the input device provided in the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus before photographing. However, since the total number of scanning lines of the area CCD 30a used in this embodiment is 525, it is naturally not possible to specify a number larger than that.

  For example, a plurality of scanning lines may be designated and the light amount (luminance) on the scanning lines may be detected. Also, the position of the scanning line can be freely set, and the scanning line near the center of the fundus oculi Ef may be designated, or the scanning line at the end may be designated. It is preferable to specify the scanning line corresponding to the position of the blood vessel as thick as possible. This is because even if the fluorescent agent reaches the capillaries, the amount of light (brightness) is small, so that detection by the area CCD 30a becomes difficult. Moreover, as described above, the fluorescent agent first reaches a thick blood vessel by blood circulation.

  Further, all scanning lines of the area CCD 30a may be designated. By detecting the amount of light (luminance) on all scanning lines of the area CCD 30a, it is possible to detect in a wide range, and the determination of the initial fluorescence is further facilitated. If the number of scanning lines is limited, depending on the position of the scanning line to be detected, a portion where a blood vessel does not exist or a portion where the blood vessel is relatively thin may be measured. By designating all scanning lines, it becomes possible to always measure a portion where a blood vessel exists or a portion where the blood vessel is relatively thick, and fluorescence detection becomes easier. However, when the amount of light (brightness) is detected in all the scanning lines, it takes time to scan, so if the priority is given to the detection speed, it is better to reduce the number of scanning lines.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, two scanning lines of the scanning lines 30b and 30c of the area CCD 30a are designated and the luminance on the scanning line is detected. The scanning line 30b is a scanning line that is positioned slightly below the center line of the fundus image, and the scanning line 30c is a scanning line that is positioned above the center line. In the present embodiment, two scanning lines are specified. However, for example, the scanning line 30b1 may be specified, and luminance on a plurality of scanning lines may be detected by specifying three or more scanning lines. Absent.

  The result (luminance) detected by the area CCD 30 a is input to the comparison means 110 via the control circuit 100. Further, information indicating a preset light amount (luminance) is input from the storage device 111 to the comparison unit 110 via the control circuit 100. Then, the comparison unit 110 compares the detection result with a preset light amount (luminance) value (step S03). Based on the comparison, the comparison unit 110 determines whether or not the light amount (luminance) is large (high), and outputs the determination result to the control circuit 100.

  This set value is obtained in advance from the experience of fluorescence imaging of the fundus oculi Ef, and for example, indicates the amount of light (brightness) of fluorescence when the fluorescent agent reaches the fundus oculi Ef (fluorescence initial stage). . By setting the amount of light (brightness) in this state as a set value, when the detection result is equal to or greater than the set value, it can be determined that the fluorescent agent has reached the fundus oculi Ef (fluorescence initial stage). Become. The set value is input from the input device by the examiner and stored in the storage device 111 before imaging.

  As a result of the determination, when the detected light quantity (luminance) value is equal to or greater than the preset light quantity (luminance) value (step S04, Yes), the control circuit 100 operates to the xenon lamp control circuit 106. A signal corresponding to the command is output, and the xenon lamp control circuit 106 receives the signal to cause the xenon lamp 6 to emit light and image the fundus blood vessel (step S05).

  When the xenon lamp 6 is controlled to emit light, visible excitation light having a wavelength for exciting fluorescein out of the photographing light from the xenon lamp 6 is guided to the fundus oculi Ef via the illumination optical system 1 and the exciter filter E1, and illuminates the fundus oculi Ef. To do.

  This visible excitation light excites fluorescein in the blood vessel of the fundus oculi Ef. As a result, visible fluorescence is emitted from the fluorescene, and this visible fluorescence is guided to the area CCD 30a via the observation / photographing optical system 2. Thereby, a fundus blood vessel image by visible fluorescence is obtained in the area CCD 30a. The fundus image received by the area CCD 30a is stored in the storage device 111 as digital data.

  When photographing with a 35 mm camera, the quick return mirrors 21 and 21 'are in a state of being flipped up, and visible fluorescence from the fundus oculi Ef is guided to the film FL. Thereby, a fundus blood vessel image by visible fluorescence is obtained by a 35 mm camera.

  In step S04, if the value of the detected light quantity (luminance) is lower than the preset value of light quantity (luminance) as a result of the determination by the comparison unit 110 (step S04, No), fluorescence imaging is performed. The area CCD 30a continues to detect the light amount (luminance) by receiving the fluorescence emitted from the fundus oculi Ef without starting (step S02).

  As described above, by detecting the fluorescence emitted from the fundus oculi Ef, in particular, it is possible to capture a fundus image at an initial stage (fluorescence initial stage) when the fluorescent agent reaches the eye Ef to be examined relatively easily.

  In addition, when continuous imaging is performed in order to capture the process in which the fluorescent agent spreads in the fundus blood vessel, the xenon lamp 6 is continuously caused to emit light a predetermined number of times. For example, when photographing 10 images, fluorescent photographing is performed by continuously emitting the xenon lamp 6 10 times at a predetermined time interval (for example, every 1 second).

  Further, in the case of performing this continuous shooting, the number of images to be shot can be changed according to the shooting light (the amount of light of the xenon lamp 6). In the case of continuous shooting, since the shooting light is continuously emitted, the burden on the patient increases. When the amount of photographing light is large, the number of photographing is automatically reduced to reduce the burden on the patient, and when the amount of photographing light is small, the number of photographing is automatically increased.

  In order to perform this control, a signal indicating the set value of the light quantity of the xenon lamp 6 is output from the xenon lamp control circuit 106 to the control circuit 100. Then, the control circuit 100 determines the number of shots from the light amount setting value. A reference value is determined in advance and stored in the storage device 111, and the number of shots is determined by comparison with the reference value. For example, the case of shooting 10 images with a certain amount of light is preset as a reference value and stored in the storage device 111, and the number of images to be shot is determined based on that. This reference value indicates the number of images that does not impose a burden on the patient when continuous imaging is performed with a certain amount of light. When the set value of the light quantity of the xenon lamp 6 output from the xenon lamp control circuit 106 is, for example, twice the reference value, the control circuit 100 determines the number of shots to be 5. When shooting is started in step S05 described above, the xenon lamp 6 emits light five times continuously, and five images are continuously shot.

  Alternatively, the area CCD 30a may receive the imaging light emitted from the illumination optical system 1 at the start of fluorescence imaging, and the number of images to be captured may be determined based on the amount of light (luminance) detected by the area CCD 30a. A result detected by the area CCD 30a is output to the control circuit 100, and the control circuit 100 compares the result with the reference value described above. As a result of the comparison, for example, when it is twice the reference value, the number of shots is determined to be five, and five consecutive shots are taken. In this case, since the first picture has already been taken, the remaining four pictures are taken continuously.

  Thus, by changing the number of shots according to the amount of light (brightness) of the shooting light, it is possible to automatically reduce the burden on the patient.

  It is also possible to stop the continuous shooting during the shooting after the continuous shooting is started. During continuous shooting, for example, pressing the shooting switch 101 stops the shooting. A signal corresponding to the depression is output from the photographing switch 101 to the control circuit 100, and the control circuit 100 outputs a signal indicating the photographing stop to the xenon lamp control circuit 106. The xenon lamp control circuit 106 receives the signal and stops issuing the xenon lamp 6. By stopping continuous shooting in this way, it becomes possible to stop shooting in the middle when shooting is mistakenly started or unnecessary shooting is performed.

[Infrared fluorescence photography]
Next, the operation in the case of infrared fluorescence photography will be described. At the time of infrared fluorescence imaging of the fundus oculi Ef, infrared fluorescence ICG (Indocyanine Green) is intravenously administered to the patient. Then, the television camera 30 is selected by the photographing apparatus selection switch 102, and the infrared fluorescent photographing mode is selected by the photographing mode selection switch 103. Further, the automatic shooting start mode is selected by the shooting mode selection switch 103.

  The control circuit 100 receives a signal corresponding to the infrared fluorescent photographing mode from the photographing mode selection switch 103 and operates the solenoid drive circuits 104 and 105. The solenoid drive circuits 104 and 105 drive and control the solenoids S1 to S4, and the solenoid S2 inserts the exciter filter E2 into the optical path of the illumination optical system 1, and the solenoid S4 inserts the barrier filter B2 into the optical path of the observation / imaging optical system 2. To do. The remaining exciter filter E2 and barrier filter B2 are retracted from the optical path or maintained at the retracted position.

  When the fluorescent agent is intravenously injected, the fluorescent agent reaches the blood vessel of the eye Ef to be examined and emits fluorescence. As in the case of visible fluorescence imaging, the area CCD 30a receives the fluorescence emitted from the eye Ef to detect the light amount (luminance), and the comparison means 110 detects the detection result and a preset light amount (luminance) value. And compare. Based on the comparison result, when the detected light amount (luminance) value is equal to or greater than a preset light amount (luminance) value, the xenon lamp 6 is caused to emit light and the fundus blood vessel is imaged.

  When the emission of the xenon lamp 6 is controlled, infrared excitation light having a wavelength for exciting the ICG in the photographing light from the xenon lamp 6 is guided to the fundus oculi Ef via the illumination optical system 1 and the exciter filter E2, and the fundus oculi Ef is Illuminate.

  This infrared excitation light excites ICG in the blood vessel of the fundus oculi Ef. Thereby, infrared fluorescence is emitted from the ICG, and this infrared fluorescence is guided to the area CCD 30a via the observation / photographing optical system 2. Thereby, a fundus blood vessel image by infrared fluorescence is obtained on the CCD 30a. In particular, the fundus image at the initial stage when the fluorescent agent reaches the eye Ef to be examined can be captured relatively easily.

  When photographing with a 35 mm camera, infrared fluorescence is guided to the 35 mm camera via an observation / photographing optical system, and a fundus blood vessel image by infrared fluorescence is obtained by the 35 mm camera. Similar to the above-described visible fluorescent photographing, the xenon lamp 6 is caused to emit light continuously for continuous photographing.

[Other embodiments]
In the embodiment described above, the comparison unit 110 compares a preset value (set value) with the detected luminance and starts shooting based on the comparison result. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, the photographing may be started when the luminance of the fluorescence received by the area CCD 30a changes. Since the fluorescent agent emits fluorescence when it reaches the blood vessel of the fundus oculi Ef, the value detected by the area CCD 30a changes at that time. When the detection result changes, the control circuit 100 outputs a signal to the xenon lamp control circuit 106, and the xenon lamp control circuit 106 causes the xenon lamp 6 to emit light according to the signal. By starting shooting at the timing when the amount of light (brightness) changes in this way, it is possible to automatically determine the timing of the start of shooting and to perform fluorescent imaging relatively easily.

  Further, when the area CCD 30a receives the fluorescence and detects the light quantity (luminance), the alignment light source 70 and the split light source 42 can be turned off. It is possible to increase the detection efficiency of the area CCD 30a by reducing the light that obstructs the detection of the light amount (luminance) and eliminating the split index.

  In the present embodiment, the scanning line of the area CCD 30a is designated and the luminance on the scanning line is measured. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the luminance of each pixel of the area CCD 30a may be detected without detecting the luminance on the scanning line. Even in this case, the examiner can specify the number of pixels and the position to be detected.

  In addition to the area CCD 30a, a sensor for measuring luminance may be provided separately. As shown in FIG. 1, a small mirror 93 as shown by a broken line is provided in a part of the observation / photographing optical system 2, and a sensor 92 that receives fluorescence from the fundus oculi Ef is provided. Then, when the fluorescence brightness exceeds the set value or when the brightness value changes, the xenon lamp 6 of the illumination optical system 1 is controlled to emit light and fluorescence imaging is started. Even with such a configuration, since it is possible to automatically determine the initial fluorescence, it is possible to perform imaging at the initial fluorescence relatively easily.

It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the optical system of the fundus camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control circuit of the fundus camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the fundus camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention in order. It is a figure which shows schematically the fundus blood vessel at the time of fluorescence imaging.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Illumination optical system 2 Observation and imaging | photography optical system 3 Eye to be examined 30a Area CCD
110 comparison means

Claims (9)

A luminance detecting means for detecting the luminance by receiving the fluorescence emitted from the fundus of the subject's eye to which the fluorescent agent has been intravenously injected;
An illumination optical system that irradiates the fundus of the subject's eye with visible light or infrared light based on the detection result of the luminance detection means;
Imaging means for fluorescently photographing the fundus of the subject eye when visible light or infrared light is irradiated by the illumination optical system;
An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus comprising:   The illumination optical system irradiates the fundus of the eye to be inspected with visible light or infrared light when the luminance detected by the luminance detection unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and the imaging unit The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fundus of the eye to be examined is photographed by receiving light from the illumination optical system and receiving fluorescence emitted from the fundus of the eye to be examined.   The illumination optical system irradiates the fundus of the subject's eye with visible light or infrared light when there is a change in the brightness detected by the brightness detection means, and the imaging means emits light from the illumination optical system. The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fundus of the eye to be examined is photographed by receiving fluorescence received from the fundus of the eye to be examined.   4. The image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit continuously captures a predetermined number of fundus images according to the amount of light irradiated to the fundus of the eye to be examined. An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to the above.   The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the light quantity can be set, and the photographing unit continuously photographs a predetermined number of fundus images according to the set value.   6. The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the luminance detecting unit is a CCD, and detects luminance on a predetermined scanning line of the CCD.   The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the luminance detection unit detects luminance on an arbitrary plurality of scanning lines. An alignment optical system for irradiating alignment light to the eye to be examined;
The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the alignment optical system stops the irradiation of the alignment light when the luminance detection unit detects the luminance. 6. The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising photographing stopping means for stopping the continuous photographing of the photographing means.

Images