JP2008054928A - Fundus photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure convenience in operation and to prevent malfunction. <P>SOLUTION: A fundus photographing apparatus provided with an apparatus main body being a fundus camera, a general-purpose digital camera having a first operation part for setting a photographing condition and mounted to the apparatus main body and a personal computer having a second operation part for setting a photographing condition and placed at a position separated from the apparatus main body has a control means which performs control of validating operation input of the first operation part and the second operation part in observation of the anterior eye part and invalidating operation input of the first operation part and the second operation part in observation of the fundus. The control means releases control of invalidating the input operation based on a prescribed operation signal from the second operation part and validating operation input for setting the photographing condition from the first operation part and the second operation part to the multi-purpose digital camera. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fundus imaging apparatus that images the fundus of a subject's eye.

  As a fundus photographing apparatus, one using a general-purpose digital camera as photographing means is known. In this case, it is possible to adjust the ISO sensitivity of the camera, change the file size of the photographed image, and the like using an operation unit provided in the general-purpose digital camera.

Further, in Patent Document 1, in order to prevent an erroneous operation during fundus observation, an input from an operation panel provided in the image recording unit is invalidated by a switching signal for switching from the anterior ocular segment observation mode to the fundus observation mode. A fundus imaging apparatus is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-171109

  However, in the case of Patent Document 1, since the input from the operation panel becomes invalid during fundus observation, in order to change imaging conditions (for example, adjustment of ISO sensitivity) after shifting to fundus observation, it is bothersome to perform fundus observation. It is necessary to switch from the mode to the anterior ocular segment observation mode, which is not convenient.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fundus imaging apparatus capable of ensuring the convenience of operation and preventing malfunction.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration.

(1) An apparatus main body having an observation optical system for observing the anterior segment and the fundus, and a fundus imaging optical system for imaging the fundus of the eye to be examined, a first operation unit for setting imaging conditions, and the fundus imaging An imaging means for capturing a fundus image of the eye to be examined via an optical system, a general-purpose digital camera mounted on the apparatus main body, and a second operation unit for setting imaging conditions, the apparatus main body And a personal computer connected to the apparatus main body and the general-purpose digital camera and exchanging signals, the fundus photographing apparatus comprising:
Control means for performing control to validate operation inputs of the first operation unit and the second operation unit during anterior ocular segment observation and invalidate operation inputs of the first operation unit and the second operation unit during fundus observation And the control means cancels the control to invalidate the operation input based on a predetermined operation signal from the second operation unit, and the first operation unit and the second operation unit for the general-purpose digital camera. The control for validating the operation input for setting the imaging condition from is performed.
(2) In the fundus imaging apparatus of (1), the predetermined operation signal is an operation signal for calling a setting screen for setting an imaging condition by the second operation unit to a monitor connected to the personal computer. It is characterized by.
(3) In the fundus imaging apparatus according to (1), the second operation unit includes imaging preparation state return means for returning the imaging preparation state released by the control means again.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to ensure the convenience of operation and prevent malfunction.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a fundus imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. The fundus imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an apparatus main body (fundus camera) 100 having a fundus imaging optical system that images the fundus of the subject's eye, and an image sensor 201 that images the fundus of the subject's eye. And a general-purpose digital camera 200, and a personal computer (PC) 300 that is connected to the apparatus main body 100 and the camera 200 and exchanges signals. The PC 300 includes a calculation control unit 301 that performs various calculations and controls, a control unit 303 that includes a storage unit 302, a display monitor 304 that displays image data, a keyboard 305a as an operation unit 305 that is operated and input by an examiner, It has a mouse 305b. Such a PC 300 is connected to the apparatus main body 100 via a cable, and is placed at a distance that is not touched by mistake when photographing using the apparatus main body 100. In the PC 300, image management software (program) is stored in advance in the storage unit 302. The image management software is activated by using the operation unit and a predetermined operation is performed, so that the image is taken by the apparatus main body 100. It is possible to perform fundus image filing and image processing. Various settings of the apparatus main body 100 and the camera 200 can also be performed using this image management software.

  The apparatus main body 100 includes, in addition to the fundus photographing optical system, a fundus observation optical system for observing the fundus of the eye to be examined, an anterior eye observation optical system for observing the anterior eye part of the eye to be examined, a display monitor 7, A joystick 4 for moving the photographing optical system relative to the eye to be examined and a control unit 84 are provided.

  In the optical system of the apparatus main body 100, a condenser lens 15, a photographing light source 14, a mirror 19, a relay lens 21, and a perforated mirror 22 are sequentially arranged on the optical path from the observation light source 11 to the objective lens 25. A focusing lens 32 and an imaging lens 33 are arranged on the optical path behind the perforated mirror 22.

  A camera 200 is mounted on the optical path behind the imaging lens 33, and a color fundus image of the eye to be inspected is photographed via a fundus photographing optical system provided in the apparatus main body 100. Reference numeral 201 denotes a two-dimensional image sensor for photographing.

  On the optical path in the reflection direction of the mirror 34, a dichroic mirror 37 having infrared light reflection and visible light transmission characteristics, a relay lens 36, and an observation two-dimensional imaging element 38 having sensitivity in the infrared region are arranged. The output of the image sensor 38 is connected to a control unit 70 described later and displayed on the display monitor 7. Further, in the optical path in the transmission direction of the dichroic mirror 37, a fixation target presenting optical system (not shown) for fixing the eye to be examined is provided.

  A dichroic mirror (wavelength selective mirror) 24 that can be inserted and removed as an optical path branching member is provided obliquely between the objective lens 25 and the perforated mirror 22. The dichroic mirror 24 reflects the wavelength light (infrared light) of an anterior segment illumination light source (not shown) and transmits the wavelength light (infrared light) of fundus observation illumination different from the wavelength of the anterior segment illumination light. Have. At the time of shooting, the dichroic mirror 24 is flipped up by the insertion / removal mechanism 66 and retracts out of the optical path. Further, on the reflection side (reflection direction) of the dichroic mirror 24, a relay lens 61, a mirror 62, a relay lens 64, and a two-dimensional imaging device 65 having sensitivity in the infrared region are provided.

  The light beam emitted from the observation light source 11 passes through the condenser lens 15, the mirror 19, and the relay lens 21, is reflected around the perforated mirror 22, and illuminates the fundus through the objective lens 25 and the pupil of the eye E to be examined. The reflected light from the fundus passes through the pupil of the eye to be examined, the objective lens 25, and the hole of the perforated mirror 22, and the focusing lens 32, the imaging lens 33, the flip-up mirror 34, the dichroic mirror 37, and the relay lens. An image is formed on the image sensor 38 via 36.

  Further, the light beam emitted from the imaging light source 14 follows the same optical path as the above-described observation light and illuminates the fundus of the eye E to be examined. Then, the reflected light from the fundus is imaged on the image sensor 201 of the camera 200 via the objective lens 25, the opening of the perforated mirror 22, the focusing lens 32, and the imaging lens 33.

  Reflected light from the anterior segment illuminated by an anterior segment illumination light source (not shown) is received by the two-dimensional image sensor 65 via the optical system of the objective lens 25, the dichroic mirror 24, and the relay lens 61 to the relay lens 64. Received light.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the digital camera 200 as viewed from the back. Reference numeral 240 denotes an operation unit that is operated and input by an examiner, and can set shooting conditions of the digital camera 200. A liquid crystal monitor 207 displays a setting screen. In this case, the examiner can change settings (such as adjusting the sensitivity of the image sensor 201 (for example, ISO sensitivity) or the file size of the captured image) using the operation unit 240 while looking at the liquid crystal monitor 207. In the present embodiment, the setting of the shooting conditions related to the camera 200 that can be performed using the operation unit 240 can also be performed using the operation unit 305 provided in the PC 300.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the fundus imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. The control unit 70 provided in the apparatus main body 100 controls the entire apparatus main body 100, or transmits a shooting start signal (release signal) to the camera 200 by an input of the shooting start switch (release switch) 4a. The control unit 70 is connected with the imaging start switch 4a, the imaging device 38, the imaging device 65, the insertion / removal mechanism 39, the insertion / removal mechanism 66, the switch unit 84 having various switches, the observation light source 11, the imaging light source 14, and the like. Yes. The switch unit 84 includes a changeover switch 84a for switching between anterior ocular segment observation and fundus oculi observation, an observation light amount adjustment knob 84b for adjusting the light amount of the observation light source 11, and a focus adjustment for performing focus adjustment of the fundus image. A switch 84c, a fixation target presentation switch 84d for changing the fixation target presentation position with respect to the subject's eye, and the like are arranged. The control unit 70 is connected to the display monitor 7 and displays the fundus image captured by the image sensor 38 and the anterior eye image captured by the image sensor 65 on the display monitor 7 as an observation image. The control unit 70 is connected to the USB hub 97 via the cable 95.

  A camera control unit 270 built in the casing of the digital camera 200 is connected to the image sensor 201, the liquid crystal monitor 207, the operation unit 240, and the like. The camera control unit 270 transmits the captured image sent from the image sensor 201 to the PC 300 side. In addition, the apparatus main body 100 and the camera 200 are connected via a cable 90, and a shooting start signal for executing fundus shooting and a shooting preparation signal for setting the camera 200 to a shooting ready state are controlled via the cable 90. From the unit 70 to the camera control unit 270. Further, the camera control unit 270 of the camera 200 executes shooting in response to the input of the shooting start signal, and shifts to the shooting preparation state in response to the input of the shooting preparation signal. Also, a release signal for releasing the shooting preparation state is input from the control unit 70 to the camera control unit 270 via the cable 90, and the camera control unit 270 releases the shooting preparation state in response to the release signal. Note that the camera 200 of the present embodiment has a shutter button. Normally, shooting is performed when the shutter button is pressed deeply, and preparation for shooting (for example, the camera is performed when the shutter button is pressed lightly (half-pressed state)). Therefore, the apparatus main body 100 of this embodiment starts photographing the same signal as when the shutter button is deeply pressed to cope with this. The signal is transmitted as a signal, and the same signal as when the shutter button is pressed shallowly is transmitted as a shooting preparation signal.

  Furthermore, the camera control unit 270 of the present embodiment is configured to perform control to invalidate operation inputs from the operation unit 240 of the camera 200 and the outside (for example, the operation unit 305 of the PC 300) in the shooting preparation state. It has become. Therefore, unless the shooting preparation state is canceled, various setting changes relating to the shooting conditions of the camera 200 (for example, ISO sensitivity of the camera 200, shutter speed, and file of the shot image are performed by the operation of the operation unit 240 or the operation unit 305 by the examiner. (Size etc.) cannot be performed.

  In addition, a light emission (strobe) signal for causing the imaging light source 14 of the apparatus main body to emit light is input from the camera control unit 270 to the control unit 70 via the cable 90. The camera 200 is connected to a USB hub 97 via a cable 96.

  The USB hub 97 is connected to the arithmetic control unit 301 of the PC 300 via the cable 98. Thereby, the arithmetic control unit 301 can control the entire PC 300 and can control the apparatus main body 100 and the camera 200.

  In the PC 300, the fundus image captured by the image sensor 201 of the camera 200 is stored, stored, and displayed by the above-described image management software, and is used for diagnosis of a disease. In addition, the apparatus main body 100 and the camera 200 can be operated using the operation unit 305. The display monitor 304 of the PC 300 usually has a larger screen size than the monitor 7 of the apparatus main body 100 and a resolution higher than that of the monitor 7 so that the fundus image can be observed in detail. The control unit 303 has a higher graphic function than the apparatus main body 100. The storage unit 302 of the PC 300 can store many fundus images as digital data. Furthermore, by installing a predetermined fundus image analysis program in the storage unit 302, it is possible to analyze the fundus image and discover fundus disease by image processing.

  An operation of the fundus imaging apparatus having the above configuration will be described. First, the examiner turns on the power of the apparatus main body 100 and the camera 200, and activates the image management software stored in the PC 300. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining operation input to the camera 200.

  In the initial stage (initial setting) of the apparatus main body 100, the dichroic mirror 24 is inserted into the optical path of the fundus photographing optical system, and the anterior segment image captured by the two-dimensional image sensor 65 is displayed on the monitor 7. In the anterior ocular segment observation state (anterior ocular segment observation mode), the control unit 70 transmits a signal for enabling input from the operation unit 240 and the operation unit 305 to the camera control unit 270, and the operation unit by the examiner. 240 and the operation input to the operation unit 305 of the PC 300 are validated. In this case, the examiner can change the setting of the camera 200 using the operation unit 240 and the operation unit 305. The setting change of the camera 200 can be set by calling the setting screen of the camera 200 from the operation screen of the image management software displayed on the display monitor 304.

  Here, the examiner performs alignment using the joystick 4 while viewing the anterior ocular segment observation image of the display monitor 7, and presses the changeover switch 84a when a certain degree of alignment is achieved. When the switching signal from the changeover switch 84a is input to the control unit 70, the control unit 70 switches the observation image displayed on the monitor 7 from the anterior eye image to the fundus image. At the same time, the control unit 70 transmits to the camera control unit 270 a signal that invalidates the input from the operation unit 240 and the operation unit 305 (imaging preparation signal). In response to this, the camera control unit 270 shifts the camera 200 to the photographing preparation state and switches the operation input by the examiner from the operation unit 240 and the operation unit 305 from valid to invalid.

  Here, the examiner checks the fundus image displayed on the monitor 7, checks the fundus image flare, etc., and further finely adjusts the alignment state by manual operation of the joystick 4 so that it can be photographed in a desired state. To do. In addition, the examiner operates the focus adjustment switch 84c to adjust the fundus focus. Then, after the fine adjustment of the alignment and the focus adjustment are completed, the examiner presses the imaging start switch 4a to perform fundus imaging.

  In the present embodiment, even when the camera 200 is shifted to the photographing preparation state in accordance with the change of the fundus observation state and the operation input from the operation unit 240 and the operation unit 305 is invalid, the operation unit 305 of the PC 300 is used. The setting of the camera 200 can be changed based on the predetermined operation signal. That is, when a screen for changing the shooting condition of the camera 200 is called using the image management software, the arithmetic control unit 301 operates the camera control unit 270 from the operation unit 305 and the operation unit 240 accordingly. A signal for canceling the control to invalidate the input (signal for canceling the photographing preparation state) is transmitted. Then, the camera control unit 270 receives the signal for canceling the control for invalidating the operation input, thereby invalidating the operation input for setting the shooting conditions from the operation unit 305 and the operation unit 240 from being invalid (preparation for shooting). State is released). Thereafter, the examiner uses the operation unit 305 to change / set the photographing condition of the camera 200.

  For example, the operation unit 305 is used to call up a screen for changing shooting conditions on the display monitor 304, an operation for adjusting the ISO sensitivity of the image sensor 201 is performed, and this operation signal is sent to the camera control unit 270. In this case, the camera control unit 270 cancels the shooting preparation state of the camera 200 and resets the ISO sensitivity based on the operation signal. In this embodiment, the shooting preparation state is canceled by calling a screen for changing shooting conditions on the PC 300 side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and based on a predetermined operation signal from the operation unit 305. Then, after canceling the shooting preparation state, an operation input from the operation unit 240 may be performed.

  Thus, when the setting change of the camera 200 is completed, the examiner returns the camera 200 to the photographing preparation state again by a predetermined return (switch) switch provided in the operation unit 305 or the operation unit 240, and operates the operation. The operation input from the unit 240 and the operation unit 305 is switched again from valid to invalid. In this case, the operation input from the operation unit 240 and the operation unit 305 may be automatically invalidated after a predetermined time elapses after the operation signal from the operation unit 305 is no longer input. In this way, when observing the fundus while looking at the monitor 7, the setting of the camera 200 can be changed based on an operation input from the operation unit 305 of the PC 300, which is less likely to be erroneously operated by the examiner. The setting change of the camera 200 based on the operation input from the operation unit 240 of the camera 200 that is likely to be touched by the examiner by mistake can be disabled. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an erroneous operation by the examiner and to ensure the convenience that the setting of the camera 200 can be changed at a timing desired by the examiner. In addition, collective management with the PC 300 is possible.

  The operation after the shooting start switch 4a is pressed will be briefly described below. Here, when a shooting start trigger signal is input from the shooting start switch 4 a to the control unit 70, the control unit 70 transmits a shooting start signal to the camera control unit 270 of the camera 200. Based on this, the camera control unit 270 transmits a synchronization signal to the control unit 70 of the apparatus main body 100. Then, the control unit 70 causes the imaging light source 31 to emit light based on the synchronization signal. As a result, a color fundus image is captured on the image sensor 301. Then, the photographed fundus image is stored in the storage unit 302 of the PC 300. Then, the control unit 301 displays the fundus image stored in the storage unit 302 on the display monitor 304.

  In the above description, the arithmetic control unit 301 of the PC 300 is configured to directly transmit a signal for switching the validity / invalidity of the operation input to the camera 270 to the control unit 270 of the camera 270. It is not limited. For example, a similar signal is transmitted from the arithmetic control unit 301 of the PC 300 to the control unit 70 of the apparatus main body 100, and the operation input to the camera 270 is switched between valid / invalid via the control unit 70 and the cable 90 of the apparatus main body 100. You may do it.

1 is a configuration diagram of a fundus imaging apparatus according to an embodiment. It is an external view when a general purpose digital camera is seen from the back. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of a fundus imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a figure explaining the operation input with respect to a general purpose digital camera.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Apparatus main body 200 General-purpose digital camera 201 Two-dimensional image sensor 240 Operation part 270 Camera control part 300 Personal computer 301 Operation control part 304 Display monitor 305 Operation part

Claims (3)

An apparatus main body having an observation optical system for observing the anterior segment and the fundus oculi and a fundus imaging optical system for photographing the fundus oculi of the eye to be examined;
A general-purpose digital camera having a first operation unit for setting imaging conditions and imaging means for imaging a fundus image of the eye to be examined via the fundus imaging optical system;
A personal computer having a second operation unit for setting photographing conditions, placed at a position apart from the apparatus main body, and connected to the apparatus main body and the general-purpose digital camera to exchange signals;
A fundus photographing apparatus comprising:
Control means for performing control to validate operation inputs of the first operation unit and the second operation unit during anterior ocular segment observation and invalidate operation inputs of the first operation unit and the second operation unit during fundus observation Have
The control means cancels the control to invalidate the operation input based on a predetermined operation signal from the second operation unit, and the control unit from the first operation unit and the second operation unit to the general-purpose digital camera. A fundus imaging apparatus that performs control to validate an operation input for setting imaging conditions.   2. The fundus imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation signal is an operation signal for calling a setting screen for setting an imaging condition by the second operation unit to a monitor connected to the personal computer. Fundus photographing device. The fundus imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second operation unit includes imaging preparation state return means for returning again the imaging preparation state released by the control means.

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