JP2019213734A - Slit lamp microscope and ophthalmologic system - Google Patents

Abstract

To widely provide a high quality slit lamp microscopic examination.SOLUTION: A slit lamp microscope of the exemplary embodiment includes an illumination system, an imaging system, a movement mechanism, and a moving image capturing system. The illumination system radiates a slit light onto the anterior eye part of an eye to be examined. The imaging system includes an optical system for guiding a light from the anterior eye part onto which the slit light is radiated, and an image pickup device for receiving the light guided by this optical system on an imaging surface. The movement mechanism moves the illumination system and the imaging system. An object surface along an optical axis of the illumination system, the optical system, and the imaging surface satisfy Scheimpflug conditions. The imaging system acquires a plurality of images of the anterior eye part by performing repeated imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system and the imaging system by the movement mechanism. The moving image capturing system captures a moving image of the anterior eye part from a fixed position in parallel with the acquisition of the plurality of images by the imaging system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a slit lamp microscope and an ophthalmic system.

  In the field of ophthalmology, diagnostic imaging occupies an important position. In the image diagnosis, various ophthalmologic photographing apparatuses are used. Examples of the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus include a slit lamp microscope, a fundus camera, a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO), and an optical coherence tomography (OCT). Various inspection apparatuses and measurement apparatuses such as a refractometer, a keratometer, a tonometer, a specular microscope, a wavefront analyzer, and a microperimeter are also equipped with a function of photographing the anterior segment and the fundus.

  One of the most widely and frequently used of these various ophthalmic devices is a slit lamp microscope. The slit lamp microscope is an ophthalmologic apparatus for illuminating a subject's eye with slit light and observing and photographing the illuminated cross section with a microscope from the side (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Generally, a slit lamp microscope is used for observation and diagnosis of an anterior ocular segment such as a cornea and a crystalline lens. For example, the doctor determines the presence or absence of an abnormality by observing the entire diagnostic region while moving the illumination field or the focus position by the slit light. In addition, a slit lamp microscope may be used in the prescription of the vision correction device such as confirmation of the fitting state of the contact lens. Furthermore, a person who has a qualification other than a doctor, such as an optometrist, or a store clerk in an eyeglass store may use a slit lamp microscope for screening eye diseases.

  By the way, with the progress of information and communication technology in recent years, research and development on telemedicine technology has been developing. Telemedicine is an act of performing medical treatment on a patient in a remote place using information technology such as the Internet. Patent Documents 3 and 4 disclose techniques for operating a slit lamp microscope from a remote location.

  However, in order to obtain a good image using a slit lamp, fine and complicated operations such as adjustment of an illumination angle and a shooting angle are required. In the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 3 and 4, since the examiner in the remote place has to perform difficult operations even when observing the eyes of the subject in front of the eyes, the examination time becomes long. Or a good image cannot be obtained.

  In addition, as described above, slit lamp microscopes are effective for screening and other inspections. However, there is a shortage of specialists in the equipment and it is difficult to provide high-quality inspections to many people. There is.

JP-A-2006-159073 JP-A-2006-179004 JP 2000-116732 A JP 2008-284273 A

  It is an object of the present invention to be able to widely provide high quality slit lamp microscopy.

  A first aspect of the exemplary embodiment includes an illumination system that irradiates the anterior segment of the subject's eye with slit light, an optical system that guides light from the anterior segment that is irradiated with the slit light, and the optical system. An imaging system including an imaging element that receives the light guided by the system on an imaging surface, and a moving mechanism that moves the illumination system and the imaging system, and an object surface along an optical axis of the illumination system; The optical system and the imaging surface satisfy the Scheimpflug condition, and the photographing system repeatedly performs photographing in parallel with the movement of the illumination system and the photographing system by the moving mechanism. Is a slit lamp microscope characterized by acquiring an image of a slit lamp microscope.

  A second aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope of the first aspect, wherein the imaging system guides light from the anterior segment to which the slit light is applied. And a first image sensor that receives the light guided by the first optical system on a first imaging surface, and obtains a first image group by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement. An imaging system, a second optical system that guides light from the anterior segment to which the slit light is irradiated, and a second imaging device that receives the light guided by the second optical system on a second imaging surface And a second photographing system that acquires a second image group by repeatedly performing photographing in parallel with the movement, wherein the optical axis of the first optical system and the optical axis of the second optical system are Are arranged in different directions from each other, and the object surface, the first optical system, and the first imaging DOO satisfies the Scheimpflug condition, and the product surface and the second optical system and the second imaging surface, characterized by satisfying the Scheimpflug condition.

  A third aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope of the second aspect, wherein the optical axis of the first optical system and the optical axis of the second optical system are the optical axis of the illumination system. It is arranged to be inclined in directions opposite to each other, and it is determined whether any of the two images acquired substantially simultaneously by the first imaging system and the second imaging system includes an artifact, The image processing apparatus further includes an image selection unit that selects the other image when it is determined that an artifact is included in one of the two images.

  A fourth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to the third aspect, wherein the image selector includes an image group including an image selected from the first image group and the second image group. A three-dimensional image construction unit configured to construct a three-dimensional image based on the three-dimensional image.

  A fifth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope of the second aspect, wherein comparing two images acquired substantially simultaneously by the first imaging system and the second imaging system. Determining whether an artifact is included in any of the two images, and further includes an artifact removal unit that removes the artifact when it is determined that the artifact is included in any of the two images. I do.

  A sixth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to the fifth aspect, wherein the three-dimensional image is constructed based on an image group including an image from which the artifact has been removed by the artifact removing unit. It is characterized by further including an image construction unit.

  A seventh aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to the first aspect, further comprising a three-dimensional image construction unit configured to construct a three-dimensional image based on the plurality of images acquired by the imaging system. It is further characterized by including.

  An eighth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to any one of the fourth, sixth and seventh aspects, wherein the moving mechanism has the illumination system and the illumination system with the optical axis of the illumination system as a rotation axis. A rotating mechanism that integrally rotates the photographing system, wherein when the illumination system and the photographing system are arranged at a first rotation position, the photographing system acquires the plurality of images; When the illumination system and the imaging system are arranged at a second rotation position different from a rotation position, the imaging system acquires an image of the anterior eye part, which is irradiated with slit light by the illumination system, The three-dimensional image construction unit includes an image position determination unit that determines a relative position of the plurality of images based on the image acquired at the second rotation position.

  A ninth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to any one of the fourth and sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the three-dimensional image construction unit is configured to execute the slit light from each of the plurality of images. An image region extracting unit that extracts an image region corresponding to the irradiation region of the image, and an image combining unit that combines a plurality of image regions extracted from the plurality of images by the image region extracting unit to construct a three-dimensional image. It is characterized by including.

  A tenth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to the ninth aspect, wherein the image area extracting unit is configured to irradiate the slit light irradiation area and the anterior eye part from each of the plurality of images. The image regions corresponding to both of the predetermined portions are extracted.

  An eleventh aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope of the tenth aspect, wherein the predetermined site is a site defined by an anterior corneal surface and a posterior lens surface.

  A twelfth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to any one of the fourth and sixth to eleventh aspects, further including a rendering unit configured to render the three-dimensional image to construct a rendering image. It is characterized by.

  A thirteenth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to the twelfth aspect, wherein when a cross section is designated for the three-dimensional image, the rendering unit converts the three-dimensional image into the cross-section. To construct a three-dimensional partial image.

  A fourteenth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to the twelfth aspect, wherein when a cross section is designated for the three-dimensional image, the rendering unit generates a two-dimensional cross section representing the cross section. It is characterized by constructing an image.

  A fifteenth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to the twelfth aspect, wherein when a slice is designated for the three-dimensional image, the rendering unit determines a three-dimensional image corresponding to the slice. It is characterized in that a slice image is constructed.

  A sixteenth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, wherein an optical axis is an angle formed between an optical axis of the illumination system and an optical axis of the imaging system. The image processing apparatus further includes a distortion correction unit that applies a process for correcting distortion due to the angle to at least one of the plurality of images.

  A seventeenth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein an optical axis of the optical system included in the imaging system is the same as an optical axis of the illumination system. A first direction along the optical axis of the system and a third direction orthogonal to both a second direction along the longitudinal direction of the slit light, and the distortion correcting unit is disposed in the first direction and the third direction. A process for correcting distortion in a plane including both of the second directions is performed.

  An eighteenth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to the sixteenth or seventeenth aspect, wherein the distortion correction unit calculates a correction coefficient set based on a predetermined reference angle and the optical axis angle. It is stored in advance and executes a process for correcting the distortion based on the correction coefficient.

  A nineteenth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects, wherein at least one of the plurality of images acquired by the imaging system is analyzed. And a first measurement unit that obtains a predetermined measurement value from the first measurement unit.

  A twentieth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to any one of the fourth and sixth to fifteenth aspects, wherein the three-dimensional image constructed by the three-dimensional image construction unit is analyzed. It is characterized by further including a second measuring unit for obtaining a predetermined measurement value.

  A twenty-first aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to any one of the first to twentieth aspects, wherein the illumination system and the imaging system are portions defined by at least an anterior corneal surface and a posterior lens surface. It is characterized in that the imaging system is configured to be in focus.

  A twenty-second aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to any one of the first to twenty-first aspects, wherein the illumination system emits slit light whose longitudinal direction is the body axis direction of the subject. Irradiating the anterior eye, the moving mechanism moves the illumination system and the photographing system in a direction orthogonal to the body axis direction.

  A twenty-third aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to the twenty-second aspect, wherein a length of the slit light is equal to or larger than a corneal diameter in the body axis direction, and the illumination system by the moving mechanism is used. The moving distance of the imaging system is equal to or greater than the corneal diameter in a direction orthogonal to the body axis direction.

  A twenty-fourth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to any one of the first to twenty-third aspects, wherein the optical system included in the imaging system is configured to emit the light before the slit light is emitted. The light from the eye, the light traveling in a direction away from the optical axis of the illumination system, a reflector that reflects in a direction approaching the optical axis of the illumination system, the light reflected by the reflector And at least one lens that forms an image on the imaging surface.

  A twenty-fifth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to any one of the first to twenty-fourth aspects, wherein the anterior eye is moved from a fixed position in parallel with the acquisition of the plurality of images by an imaging system. It is characterized by further including a moving image shooting system for shooting a moving image.

  A twenty-sixth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to the twenty-fifth aspect, further comprising: a movement detecting unit that analyzes a moving image acquired by the moving image capturing system and detects a movement of the eye to be inspected. It is further characterized by including.

  A twenty-seventh aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to the twenty-sixth aspect, further comprising a movement control unit that controls the movement mechanism based on an output from the movement detection unit. I do.

  A twenty-eighth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the slit lamp microscope according to any one of the first to twenty-seventh aspects, wherein a communication unit that transmits an image obtained for the anterior eye toward an information processing apparatus is provided. It is further characterized by including.

  A twenty-ninth aspect of the exemplary embodiment includes a slit lamp microscope, which is connected to the slit lamp microscope via a communication line, and processes an image of an anterior eye portion of the eye to be inspected acquired by the slit lamp microscope. An ophthalmologic system including an information processing apparatus. The slit lamp microscope includes an illumination system that irradiates slit light to an anterior eye portion of an eye to be examined, an optical system that guides light from the anterior eye portion that is irradiated with the slit light, and the optical system that is guided by the optical system. An imaging system including an imaging element that receives light on an imaging surface; and a moving mechanism that moves the illumination system and the imaging system. The object surface along the optical axis of the illumination system, the optical system, and the imaging surface satisfy the Scheimpflug condition. The imaging system acquires a plurality of images of the anterior segment by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system and the imaging system by the moving mechanism.

  A thirtieth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system of the twenty-ninth aspect, wherein the imaging system of the slit lamp microscope guides light from the anterior segment that is being irradiated with the slit light. A first optical system, and a first image sensor that receives the light guided by the first optical system on a first imaging surface, and repeatedly shoots in parallel with the movement to form a first image group. A first imaging system to be acquired, a second optical system that guides light from the anterior ocular segment to which the slit light is applied, and a light that is guided by the second optical system is received by a second imaging surface. A second imaging system for acquiring a second image group by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement, wherein an optical axis of the first optical system and an optical axis of the second optical system are included. The optical axis is disposed in different directions from each other, and the object surface and the second An optical system and the first imaging surface satisfy the Scheimpflug condition, and, with the product surface and the second optical system and the second imaging surface, characterized by satisfying the Scheimpflug condition.

  A thirty-first aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system of the thirtieth aspect, wherein the optical axis of the first optical system and the optical axis of the second optical system are aligned with the optical axis of the illumination system. The information processing apparatus includes an artifact in one of the two images acquired substantially simultaneously by the first imaging system and the second imaging system. An image selection unit that determines whether an artifact is included in one of the two images and selects the other image when it is determined that the artifact is included in the one of the two images.

  A thirty-second aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system of the thirty-first aspect, wherein the information processing device is an image selected by the image selection unit from the first image group and the second image group. And a three-dimensional image constructing unit that constructs a three-dimensional image based on an image group including.

  A thirty-third aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmologic system of the thirtieth aspect, wherein the information processing device is configured to control the two imaging devices acquired substantially simultaneously by the first imaging system and the second imaging system. An artifact removal unit that determines whether any of the two images contains an artifact by comparing the images, and removes the artifact when it is determined that any of the two images contains an artifact; It is characterized by the following.

  A thirty-fourth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system of the thirty-third aspect, wherein the information processing device is a three-dimensional image based on an image group including an image from which artifacts have been removed by the artifact removal unit. And a three-dimensional image construction unit for constructing

  A thirty-fifth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system of the twenty-ninth aspect, wherein the information processing device constructs a three-dimensional image based on the plurality of images acquired by the imaging system. It is characterized by including a two-dimensional image construction unit.

  A thirty-sixth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system according to any one of the thirty-second, thirty-fourth, and thirty-fifth aspects, wherein the moving mechanism uses the optical axis of the illumination system as a rotation axis and the illumination system and the optical system. A rotating mechanism that integrally rotates a photographing system, wherein when the illumination system and the photographing system are arranged at a first rotation position, the photographing system acquires the plurality of images and performs the first rotation. When the illumination system and the imaging system are arranged at a second rotation position different from the position, the imaging system acquires an image of the anterior eye part, which is irradiated with slit light by the illumination system, The three-dimensional image construction unit includes an image position determination unit that determines a relative position of the plurality of images based on the image acquired at the second rotation position.

  A thirty-seventh aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmologic system according to any one of the thirty-second and thirty-fourth aspects, wherein the three-dimensional image builder is configured to convert the slit light from each of the plurality of images. An image region extracting unit that extracts an image region corresponding to the irradiation region; and an image combining unit that combines a plurality of image regions extracted from the plurality of images by the image region extracting unit to construct a three-dimensional image. It is characterized by including.

  A thirty-eighth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmologic system of the thirty-seventh aspect, wherein the image area extracting unit is configured to irradiate the slit light irradiation area and the anterior eye part from each of the plurality of images. It is characterized in that image regions corresponding to both predetermined portions are extracted.

  A thirty-ninth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system of the thirty-eighth aspect, wherein the predetermined site is a site defined by an anterior corneal surface and a posterior lens surface.

  A fortieth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmologic system of any one of the thirty-second and thirty-fourth aspects, wherein the information processing apparatus renders the three-dimensional image to construct a rendering image It is characterized by including a part.

  A forty-first aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmologic system of the forty-fourth aspect, wherein when a section is designated for the three-dimensional image, the rendering unit renders the three-dimensional image in the section. It is characterized in that a three-dimensional partial image is constructed by cutting.

  A forty-second aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system of the forty-fourth aspect, wherein when a section is designated for the three-dimensional image, the rendering unit generates a two-dimensional section image representing the section. Is constructed.

  A forty-third aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system of the forty-fourth aspect, wherein when a slice is designated for the three-dimensional image, the rendering unit determines a three-dimensional slice corresponding to the slice. It is characterized by constructing an image.

  A forty-fourth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system according to any one of the twenty-ninth to forty-third aspects, wherein the information processing device is configured such that an optical axis of the illumination system and an optical axis of the imaging system are formed. The image processing apparatus includes a distortion correction unit that applies a process for correcting distortion caused by an optical axis angle, which is an angle, to at least one of the plurality of images.

  A forty-fifth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system of the forty-fourth aspect, wherein an optical axis of the optical system included in the imaging system is different from an optical axis of the illumination system by the illumination system. And a third direction orthogonal to both a first direction along the optical axis and a second direction along the longitudinal direction of the slit light, and the distortion correction unit is configured to include the first direction and the second direction. It is characterized in that processing for correcting distortion in a plane including both of the two directions is performed.

  A forty-sixth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system of the forty-fourth or forty-fifth aspect, wherein the distortion correction unit sets a correction coefficient set based on a predetermined reference angle and the optical axis angle in advance. It is characterized by executing a process for correcting the distortion based on the correction coefficient.

  A forty-seventh aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system according to any one of the twenty-sixth to forty-sixth aspects, wherein the information processing apparatus includes at least one of the plurality of images acquired by the imaging system. A first measurement unit that obtains a predetermined measurement value by analyzing the first measurement value.

  A forty-eighth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system according to any one of the thirty-second and thirty-fourth aspects, wherein the information processing device is configured to include the three-dimensional image constructed by the three-dimensional image construction unit. And a second measurement unit that obtains a predetermined measurement value by analyzing the data.

  A forty-ninth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system of any of the twenty-ninth to forty-eighth aspects, wherein the illumination system and the imaging system are located at least in a region defined by the anterior corneal surface and the posterior lens surface. The imaging system is configured to be in focus.

  A fiftieth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system according to any one of the twenty-ninth to forty-ninth aspects, wherein the illumination system emits slit light whose longitudinal direction is the body axis direction of the subject. Irradiating the eye, the moving mechanism moves the illumination system and the imaging system in a direction orthogonal to the body axis direction.

  A fifty-first aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system of the fiftyth aspect, wherein a length of the slit light is equal to or greater than a corneal diameter in the body axis direction, and The moving distance of the imaging system is equal to or greater than a corneal diameter in a direction orthogonal to the body axis direction.

  A fifty-second aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system according to any one of the twenty-ninth to fifty-first aspects, wherein the optical system included in the imaging system includes the anterior eye to which the slit light is applied. Light from the unit, the light traveling in a direction away from the optical axis of the illumination system, a reflector that reflects in a direction approaching the optical axis of the illumination system, the light reflected by the reflector the light And at least one lens that forms an image on the imaging surface.

  A fifty-third aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system according to any of the twenty-ninth to fifty-second aspects, wherein the slit lamp microscope performs the anterior eye in parallel with the acquisition of the plurality of images by an imaging system. A moving image photographing system for photographing a moving image of the section from a fixed position is included.

  A fifty-fourth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system of the fifty-third aspect, wherein the slit lamp microscope detects a motion of the subject's eye by analyzing a moving image acquired by the moving image capturing system. It is characterized by including a motion detecting unit that performs the motion.

  A fifty-fifth aspect of the exemplary embodiment is the ophthalmic system of the fifty-fourth aspect, wherein the slit lamp microscope includes a movement control unit that controls the movement mechanism based on an output from the movement detection unit. It is characterized by the following.

  According to the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to widely provide high quality slit lamp microscopy.

It is the schematic showing the structure of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating operation | movement of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating operation | movement of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating operation | movement of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the usage condition of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic showing the structure of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic showing the modification of the structure of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic showing the structure of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating operation | movement of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic showing the structure of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic showing the structure of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic showing the structure of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating operation | movement of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic showing the structure of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic showing the structure of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic showing the structure of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic showing the structure of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic showing the structure of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the usage type of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the usage type of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the usage type of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage type of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the usage type of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the usage type of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the usage type of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the usage type of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the usage type of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the usage type of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the usage type of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the usage type of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the usage type of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic for demonstrating the usage type of the slit lamp microscope which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic showing the structure of the ophthalmic system which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic showing the structure of the ophthalmic system which concerns on exemplary embodiment. It is the schematic showing the structure of the ophthalmic system which concerns on exemplary embodiment.

  Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, arbitrary well-known techniques, such as the matter disclosed by the literature referred by this specification, can be combined with embodiment.

  The slit lamp microscope according to the embodiment may be installed in, for example, an eyeglass store or a medical facility, or may be a portable type. The slit lamp microscope according to the embodiment is typically used in a situation or environment where a technical skill holder related to the apparatus is not present. In addition, the slit lamp microscope according to the embodiment may be used in a situation or environment where a technical skill holder is on the side, or a situation in which the technical skill holder can monitor, instruct, and operate from a remote place. May be used in the environment.

  The ophthalmic system according to the embodiment includes one or more slit lamp microscopes and one or more information processing devices, and can be used for telemedicine, for example. The information processing apparatus receives an image acquired by the slit lamp microscope and processes it. The information processing apparatus may be capable of transmitting data to a slit lamp microscope or other information processing apparatus. The use of the information processing apparatus may be, for example, image analysis, image processing, image interpretation, and the like.

  When the ophthalmologic system of the embodiment is used for telemedicine, a person who is remote from a facility where the slit lamp microscope is installed reads an image acquired by the slit lamp microscope. The image interpreter is typically a doctor and a specialist in the slit lamp microscope. It is also possible to employ computer-aided interpretation using information processing technology (eg, artificial intelligence, image analysis, image processing).

  Examples of facilities where the slit lamp microscope is installed include an eyeglass shop, an optomerist, a medical institution, a health examination hall, a screening hall, a patient's home, a welfare facility, a public facility, and a medical examination car.

  The slit lamp microscope according to the embodiment is an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus having at least a function as a slit lamp microscope, and may further include another photographing function (modality). Examples of other modalities include a fundus camera, SLO, and OCT. The slit lamp microscope according to the embodiment may further include a function of measuring the characteristics of the eye to be examined. Examples of measurement functions include visual acuity measurement, refraction measurement, intraocular pressure measurement, corneal endothelial cell measurement, aberration measurement, and visual field measurement. The slit lamp microscope according to the embodiment may further include an application for analyzing captured images and measurement data. The slit lamp microscope according to the embodiment may further include a function for treatment or surgery. Examples include photocoagulation treatment and photodynamic therapy.

  Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments will be described. Any two or more of these embodiments can be combined. Further, each of these embodiments or a combination of two or more can be modified (addition, replacement, etc.) based on any known technique.

  In the exemplary embodiments described below, the “processor” may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a programmable logic device (eg, SPLD (Simple Digital)). , CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). For example, the processor reads and executes a program or data stored in a storage circuit or a storage device, thereby realizing the function according to the embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
An example of a slit lamp microscope according to the first embodiment is shown in FIG.

  The slit lamp microscope 1 is used for photographing the anterior segment of the eye E, and includes an illumination system 2, a photographing system 3, a moving mechanism 6, a control unit 7, a data processing unit 8, and a communication unit 9. . In addition, the code | symbol C shows a cornea and the code | symbol CL shows a crystalline lens.

  The slit lamp microscope 1 may be a single device or a system including two or more devices. As an example of the latter, the slit lamp microscope 1 includes a main unit including an illumination system 2, an imaging system 3, and a moving mechanism 6, a computer including a control unit 7, a data processing unit 8, and a communication unit 9, and a main unit. A communication device responsible for communication with the computer. For example, the computer may be installed together with the main device, or may be installed on a network.

[Lighting system 2]
The illumination system 2 irradiates the anterior segment of the eye E with slit light. Reference numeral 2 a indicates the optical axis (illumination optical axis) of the illumination system 2. The illumination system 2 may have the same configuration as the illumination system of a conventional slit lamp microscope. For example, although not shown, the illumination system 2 includes an illumination light source, a positive lens, a slit forming unit, and an objective lens in order from the side far from the eye E.

  The illumination light source outputs illumination light. The illumination system 2 may include a plurality of illumination light sources. For example, the illumination system 2 may include an illumination light source that outputs continuous light and an illumination light source that outputs flash light. The illumination system 2 may include an anterior ocular segment illumination light source and a posterior ocular segment illumination light source. The illumination system 2 may include two or more illumination light sources having different output wavelengths. A typical illumination system 2 includes a visible light source as an illumination light source. The illumination system 2 may include an infrared light source. The illumination light output from the illumination light source passes through the positive lens and is projected onto the slit forming unit.

  The slit forming unit generates slit light by passing a part of the illumination light. A typical slit forming part has a pair of slit blades. By changing the interval between these slit blades (slit width), the width of the region (slit) through which the illumination light passes is changed, thereby changing the width of the slit light. Moreover, the slit formation part may be comprised so that change of the length of slit light is possible. The length of the slit light is the cross-sectional dimension of the slit light in the direction orthogonal to the cross-sectional width direction of the slit light corresponding to the slit width. The width of the slit light and the length of the slit light are typically expressed as the dimensions of the projected image of the slit light onto the anterior segment.

  The slit light generated by the slit forming unit is refracted by the objective lens and is applied to the anterior segment of the eye E.

  The illumination system 2 may further include a focusing mechanism for changing the focus position of the slit light. For example, the focusing mechanism moves the objective lens along the illumination optical axis 2a. The movement of the objective lens can be performed automatically and / or manually. A focusing lens is disposed at a position on the illumination optical axis 2a between the objective lens and the slit forming portion, and the focusing position of the slit light is changed by moving the focusing lens along the illumination optical axis 2a. It may be possible.

  FIG. 1 is a top view, and as shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the direction along the axis of the eye E is defined as the Z direction, and the right and left directions for the subject among the directions orthogonal to the Z direction. The direction perpendicular to both the X direction and the Z direction is the Y direction. Typically, the X direction is an arrangement direction of the left eye and the right eye, and the Y direction is a direction along the body axis of the subject (body axis direction). In the present embodiment, the slit lamp microscope 1 is arranged so that the illumination optical axis 2a is arranged in parallel with the axis of the eye E so that the illumination optical axis 2a coincides with the axis of the eye E. The alignment is performed. The alignment will be described later.

[Photographing system 3]
The imaging system 3 captures the anterior eye segment irradiated with the slit light from the illumination system 2. Reference numeral 3 a indicates an optical axis (imaging optical axis) of the imaging system 3. The photographing system 3 of the present embodiment includes an optical system 4 and an image sensor 5.

  The optical system 4 guides light from the anterior segment of the eye E to which the slit light is irradiated to the image sensor 5. The imaging element 5 receives light guided by the optical system 4 on the imaging surface.

  The light guided by the optical system 4 (that is, light from the anterior segment of the eye E) includes return light of the slit light applied to the anterior segment, and may further include other light. Examples of return light include reflected light, scattered light, and fluorescence. Other examples of light include light (room light, sunlight, etc.) from the installation environment of the slit lamp microscope 1. When an anterior ocular segment illumination system for illuminating the entire anterior ocular segment is provided separately from the illumination system 2, the return light of the anterior ocular segment illumination light may be included in the light guided by the optical system 4. Good.

  The imaging device 5 is an area sensor having a two-dimensional imaging area, and may be, for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.

  The optical system 4 may have, for example, a configuration similar to that of a conventional slit lamp microscope imaging system. For example, the optical system 4 includes an objective lens, a variable power optical system, and an imaging lens in order from the side close to the eye E. The light from the anterior eye part of the eye E to which the slit light is irradiated passes through the objective lens and the variable magnification optical system, and is imaged on the imaging surface of the imaging device 5 by the imaging lens.

  The imaging system 3 may include, for example, a first imaging system and a second imaging system. Typically, the first photographing system and the second photographing system have the same configuration. The case where the imaging system 3 includes the first imaging system and the second imaging system will be described in another embodiment.

  The imaging system 3 may further include a focusing mechanism for changing the focus position. For example, the focusing mechanism moves the objective lens along the photographing optical axis 3a. The movement of the objective lens can be performed automatically and / or manually. Note that it is possible to change the focus position by disposing a focusing lens at a position on the photographing optical axis 3a between the objective lens and the imaging lens and moving the focusing lens along the photographing optical axis 3a. Good.

  The illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 function as a Scheimpflug camera. That is, the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 are configured such that the object surface along the illumination optical axis 2a, the optical system 4, and the imaging surface of the imaging element 5 satisfy the so-called Scheinproof condition. More specifically, the YZ plane (including the object plane) passing through the illumination optical axis 2a, the main surface of the optical system 4, and the imaging surface of the imaging element 5 intersect on the same straight line. Thereby, it is possible to perform photographing by focusing on all positions in the object plane (all positions in the direction along the illumination optical axis 2a).

  In the present embodiment, the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 are configured so that the imaging system 3 is focused on at least a portion defined by the front surface of the cornea C and the rear surface of the crystalline lens CL. That is, photographing is performed with the photographing system 3 in focus over the entire range from the front vertex (Z = Z1) of the cornea C shown in FIG. 1 to the rear vertex (Z = Z2) of the lens CL. Is possible. Z = Z0 indicates the Z coordinate of the intersection of the illumination optical axis 2a and the photographing optical axis 3a.

  Such conditions are typically realized by the configuration and arrangement of elements included in the illumination system 2, the configuration and arrangement of elements included in the imaging system 3, and the relative positions of the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3. Is done. The parameter indicating the relative position between the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 includes, for example, an angle θ formed by the illumination optical axis 2a and the imaging optical axis 3a. For example, the angle θ is set to 17.5 degrees, 30 degrees, or 45 degrees. Note that the angle θ may be variable.

[Movement mechanism 6]
The moving mechanism 6 moves the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3. In the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 6 moves the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 integrally in the X direction.

  For example, the moving mechanism 6 includes a movable stage on which the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 are mounted, an actuator that operates according to a control signal input from the control unit 7, and a movable stage based on a driving force generated by the actuator. And a mechanism for moving. In another example, the moving mechanism 6 includes a movable stage on which the illumination system 2 and the photographing system 3 are mounted, and a mechanism that moves the movable stage based on a force applied to an operation device (not shown). The operation device is, for example, a lever. The movable stage is movable at least in the X direction, and may be movable in the Y direction and / or the Z direction.

[Control unit 7]
The control unit 7 controls each unit of the slit lamp microscope 1. For example, the control unit 7 includes elements of the illumination system 2 (illumination light source, slit forming unit, focusing mechanism, etc.), elements of the imaging system 3 (focusing mechanism, imaging device, etc.), moving mechanism 6, data processing unit 8, The communication unit 9 and the like are controlled. Further, the control unit 7 may be able to execute control for changing the relative position between the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3.

  The control unit 7 includes a processor, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, and the like. A control program or the like is stored in the auxiliary storage device. The control program or the like may be stored in a computer or storage device accessible by the slit lamp microscope 1. The function of the control unit 7 is realized by cooperation of software such as a control program and hardware such as a processor.

  The control unit 7 can apply the following control to the illumination system 2, the imaging system 3, and the moving mechanism 6 in order to scan the three-dimensional region of the anterior segment of the eye E with the slit light. .

  First, the control unit 7 controls the moving mechanism 6 so that the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 are arranged at predetermined scan start positions (alignment control). The scan start position is, for example, a position corresponding to the end portion (first end portion) of the cornea C in the X direction, or a position further away from the axis of the eye E to be examined. 2A indicates the scan start position corresponding to the first end portion of the cornea C in the X direction. 2B indicates a scan start position that is farther from the axis EA of the eye E than the position corresponding to the first end portion of the cornea C in the X direction.

  The control unit 7 controls the illumination system 2 to start irradiation of slit light to the anterior segment of the eye E (slit light irradiation control). In addition, you may perform slit light irradiation control before execution of alignment control or during execution of alignment control. The illumination system 2 typically irradiates continuous light as slit light, but may irradiate intermittent light (pulse light) as slit light. The illumination system 2 typically irradiates visible light as slit light, but may irradiate infrared light as slit light.

  The control unit 7 controls the imaging system 3 to start capturing a moving image of the anterior segment of the eye E (imaging control). Note that imaging control may be performed before execution of alignment control or during execution of alignment control. Typically, the imaging control is executed simultaneously with the slit light irradiation control or after the slit light irradiation control.

  After executing the alignment control, the slit light irradiation control, and the imaging control, the control unit 7 controls the moving mechanism 6 to start the movement of the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 (movement control). By the movement control, the illumination system 2 and the photographing system 3 are moved together. That is, the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 are moved while maintaining the relative position (angle θ and the like) between the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3. The illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 are moved from the scan start position described above to a predetermined scan end position. The scan end position is, for example, the position corresponding to the end portion (second end portion) of the cornea C on the opposite side of the first end portion in the X direction, as in the scan start position, or the eye E more The position is away from the axis. In such a case, the range from the scan start position to the scan end position is the scan range.

  Typically, while irradiating the anterior eye with slit light having the X direction as the width direction and the Y direction as the longitudinal direction, and moving the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 in the X direction, the imaging system 3 Moving image shooting is performed.

  Here, the length of the slit light (that is, the dimension of the slit light in the Y direction) is set to be equal to or larger than the diameter of the cornea C on the surface of the subject's eye E, for example. That is, the length of the slit light is set to be equal to or larger than the corneal diameter in the Y direction. Further, as described above, the moving distance (that is, the scanning range) of the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 by the moving mechanism 6 is set to be equal to or larger than the corneal diameter in the X direction. Thereby, at least the entire cornea C can be scanned with the slit light.

  By such a scan, a plurality of anterior segment images having different irradiation positions of the slit light are obtained. In other words, a moving image in which the irradiation position of the slit light moves in the X direction is obtained. An example of such a plurality of anterior segment images (that is, a frame group constituting a moving image) is shown in FIG.

  3 shows a plurality of anterior eye images (frame groups) F1, F2, F3,..., FN. The subscript n of these anterior segment images Fn (n = 1, 2,..., N) represents the time series order. That is, the nth acquired anterior ocular segment image is represented by the symbol Fn. The anterior segment image Fn includes a slit light irradiation region An. As shown in FIG. 3, the slit light irradiation areas A1, A2, A3,..., AN move in the right direction along the time series. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the scan start position and the scan end position correspond to both ends of the cornea C in the X direction. Note that the scan start position and / or the scan end position are not limited to this example, and may be, for example, a position farther from the axis of the eye E than the end of the cornea. Further, the direction and the number of scans can be arbitrarily set.

[Data processing unit 8]
The data processing unit 8 executes various data processing. The data to be processed may be either data acquired by the slit lamp microscope 1 or data input from the outside. For example, the data processing unit 8 can process images acquired by the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3. The configuration and function of the data processing unit 8 will be described in another embodiment.

  The data processing unit 8 includes a processor, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, and the like. A data processing program or the like is stored in the auxiliary storage device. The data processing program or the like may be stored in a computer or storage device accessible by the slit lamp microscope 1. The function of the data processing unit 8 is realized by cooperation of software such as a data processing program and hardware such as a processor.

[Communication unit 9]
The communication unit 9 performs data communication between the slit lamp microscope 1 and another device. In other words, the communication unit 9 transmits data to other devices and receives data transmitted from other devices.

  The method of data communication executed by the communication unit 9 is arbitrary. For example, the communication unit 9 includes one or more of various communication interfaces such as a communication interface compliant with the Internet, a communication interface compliant with a dedicated line, a communication interface compliant with LAN, and a communication interface compliant with short-range communication. . Data communication may be wired communication or wireless communication.

  Data transmitted and received by the communication unit 9 may be encrypted. In that case, for example, the control unit 7 and / or the data processing unit 8 includes an encryption processing unit that encrypts data transmitted by the communication unit 9, and a decryption that decrypts data received by the communication unit 9. At least one of the processing units is included.

[Other elements]
In addition to the elements shown in FIG. 1, the slit lamp microscope 1 may include a display device and an operation device. Alternatively, the display device or the operation device may be a peripheral device of the slit lamp microscope 1.

  The display device displays various information under the control of the control unit 7. The display device may include a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD).

  The operation device includes a device for operating the slit lamp microscope 1 and a device for inputting information. The operation device includes, for example, a button, a switch, a lever, a dial, a handle, a knob, a mouse, a keyboard, a trackball, an operation panel, and the like.

  A device in which a display device and an operation device are integrated, such as a touch screen, may be used.

  The subject and the assistant can operate the slit lamp microscope 1 by using the display device and the operation device.

[alignment]
The alignment of the slit lamp microscope 1 with respect to the eye E will be described. In general, the alignment is an operation of placing the apparatus optical system at a position suitable for photographing and measuring the eye E. The alignment of the present embodiment is an operation of arranging the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 at positions suitable for acquiring a moving image as shown in FIG.

  There are various methods for alignment of an ophthalmologic apparatus. Hereinafter, although some alignment methods are illustrated, the method applicable to this embodiment is not limited to these.

  Stereo alignment is an alignment method applicable to the present embodiment. Stereo alignment can be applied to an ophthalmologic apparatus capable of photographing an anterior segment from two or more different directions, and a specific method thereof is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-248376 by the present applicant. The stereo alignment includes, for example, the following steps: a step in which two or more anterior segment cameras capture an anterior segment from different directions to obtain two or more captured images; a processor analyzes these captured images and an eye to be examined A step of obtaining a three-dimensional position of the step; a step in which a processor controls movement of the optical system based on the obtained three-dimensional position Thereby, the optical system (in this example, the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3) is arranged at a suitable position with respect to the eye to be examined. In typical stereo alignment, the position of the pupil (the center or the center of gravity of the pupil) of the eye to be examined is used as a reference.

  In addition to such stereo alignment, any known alignment method such as a method using a Purkinje image obtained by alignment light or a method using an optical lever can be used. In the method using the Purkinje image and the method using the optical lever, the position of the corneal apex of the eye to be examined is used as a reference.

  The conventional typical alignment method including the above examples is performed for the purpose of making the axis of the eye to be examined coincide with the optical axis of the optical system. However, in the present embodiment, a position corresponding to the scan start position is used. It is possible to execute the alignment so that the illumination system 2 and the photographing system 3 are arranged at the same time.

  As a first example of the alignment in the present embodiment, after applying any one of the above-described alignment methods to perform alignment based on the pupil or the corneal vertex of the eye E, a standard value of a preset corneal radius is set. The illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 can be moved (in the X direction) by a distance corresponding to. Instead of using the standard value, a measured value of the corneal radius of the eye E may be used.

  As a second example, after any one of the above-described alignment methods is applied to perform alignment with reference to the pupil or the corneal vertex of the eye E, the image of the anterior segment of the eye E is analyzed and the corneal radius is analyzed. Is measured, and the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 can be moved (in the X direction) by a distance corresponding to the measured value. The anterior ocular segment image analyzed in this example is, for example, an anterior ocular segment image obtained by the imaging system 3 or another image. The other image may be an arbitrary image such as an image obtained by the anterior ocular segment camera or an image obtained by the anterior ocular segment OCT.

  As a third example, an image of the anterior segment obtained by the anterior segment camera for stereo alignment or the imaging system 3 is analyzed to determine the first end of the cornea, and stereo alignment is applied to the first end of the cornea. The illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 can be moved to a position corresponding to the section.

  In addition, the alignment based on the pupil or the corneal vertex of the eye E is performed by applying any of the above-described alignment methods, and the anterior ocular segment scan by the slit light is started from the position determined thereby. Is also good. Even in this case, the scan sequence can be set so as to scan the entire cornea C. For example, the scan sequence is set so that scanning is performed to the left from the position determined by the alignment, and then scanning is performed to the right.

[Other matters]
The slit lamp microscope 1 may include a fixation system that outputs light for fixing the eye E (fixation light). The fixation system typically includes at least one visible light source (fixation light source) or a display device that displays an image such as a landscape chart or a fixation target. The fixation system is arranged coaxially or non-coaxially with the illumination system 2 or the imaging system 3, for example.

  The types of images that can be acquired by the slit lamp microscope 1 are not limited to the above-described anterior segment moving images (a plurality of anterior segment images). For example, the slit lamp microscope 1 includes a three-dimensional image based on the moving image, a rendered image based on the three-dimensional image, a transillumination image, a moving image representing the movement of the contact lens worn on the eye to be examined, and a contact by applying a fluorescent agent. There are images showing the gap between the lens and the corneal surface. The rendered image will be described in another embodiment. A transillumination image is an image obtained by a transillumination method in which the retinal reflection of illumination light is used to depict opacity and foreign matter in the eye. Note that fundus imaging, corneal endothelial cell imaging, meibomian gland imaging, and the like may be possible.

[Usage form]
A usage pattern of the slit lamp microscope 1 (a system including this) will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of usage pattern.

  Although not shown, the subject or the assistant inputs subject information to the slit lamp microscope 1 at an arbitrary stage. The input subject information is stored in the control unit 7. The subject information typically includes subject identification information (subject ID).

  Further, input of background information can be performed. The background information is arbitrary information about the subject. For example, the interview information of the subject, information entered by the subject on a predetermined sheet, information recorded in the electronic medical record of the subject, etc. There is. Typically, background information includes gender, age, height, weight, disease name, candidate disease name, test results (sight values, eye refractive power values, intraocular pressure values, etc.), refractive correction tools (glasses, contact lenses, etc.) ) Wear history and frequency, examination history, treatment history, etc. These are examples, and the background information is not limited to these.

(S1: Adjust table, chair, chin rest)
First, the table on which the slit lamp microscope 1 is installed, the chair on which the subject sits, and the chin rest of the slit lamp microscope 1 are adjusted (all not shown). For example, the height of the table, chair, and chin rest is adjusted. These adjustments are performed by the subject himself / herself, for example. Alternatively, the assistant may make any of these adjustments. The chin rest is provided with a chin rest and a forehead for stably arranging the face of the subject.

(S2: Instruct to start shooting)
When the adjustment in step S1 is completed, the subject sits down on the chair, places the chin on the chin rest, and makes the forehead contact the forehead. Before or after these operations, the subject or the assistant performs an instruction operation to start imaging of the eye to be examined. This operation is, for example, pressing a shooting start trigger button (not shown).

(S3: Alignment)
In response to the instruction in step S2, the slit lamp microscope 1 performs alignment with the eye E in the manner described above. Focus adjustment may be performed after the alignment is completed.

(S4: scan the anterior segment)
In the manner described above, the slit lamp microscope 1 combines the irradiation of the slit light by the illumination system 2 with the moving image shooting by the shooting system 3 and the movement of the illumination system 2 and the shooting system 3 by the moving mechanism 6, thereby Scan the anterior segment of E. Thereby, for example, a plurality of anterior eye images F1 to FN shown in FIG. 3 are obtained.

  The data processing unit 8 can process at least one of the anterior eye images F1 to FN. For example, as described in another embodiment, the data processing unit 8 can construct a three-dimensional image based on the anterior eye images F1 to FN. It is also possible to perform predetermined image processing and predetermined image analysis.

(S5: Send image)
The control unit 7 controls the communication unit 9 to control the anterior segment images (the anterior segment images F1 to FN, a part of the anterior segment images F1 to FN, and the anterior segment image) acquired by the slit lamp microscope 1. F1 to FN) is transmitted to another device.

  Examples of other devices include an information processing device and a storage device. The information processing apparatus is, for example, a server on a wide area line, a server on a LAN, or a computer terminal. The storage device is a storage device provided on a wide area line, a storage device provided on a LAN, or the like.

  Background information can be transmitted together with the image of the anterior segment. In addition, the identification information of the subject is transmitted together with the image of the anterior segment. This identification information may be a subject ID (described above) input to the slit lamp microscope 1 or may be identification information generated based on the subject ID. As an example of the latter, a subject ID (internal identification information) used for personal identification in a facility where the slit lamp microscope 1 is installed can be converted into external identification information used outside the facility. . Thereby, it is possible to improve information security regarding personal information such as an anterior eye image and background information.

(S6: Observation and diagnosis)
The image of the anterior segment of the eye E (and subject identification information, background information, etc.) transmitted from the slit lamp microscope 1 in step S5 is directly or indirectly, for example, a doctor (or optometer list). ) Is sent to the information processing device used.

  The doctor (or optomerist) can observe an image of the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined. At this time, for example, displaying the anterior eye images F1 to FN by a predetermined number, displaying the anterior eye images F1 to FN in a list, displaying the anterior eye images F1 to FN in a slide show, It is possible to construct a three-dimensional image from the anterior eye images F1 to FN and to display a rendered image of the three-dimensional image.

  The doctor (or optomerist) can perform image diagnosis (interpretation) by observing the image of the anterior segment of the eye E to be examined. A doctor (or an optometer list) can create a report in which information obtained by interpretation is recorded. The report is transmitted to, for example, a facility where the slit lamp microscope 1 is installed. Alternatively, the report may be transmitted to address information (e-mail address, address, etc.) registered by the subject. This is the end of the processing according to this example.

[effect]
The effect produced by this embodiment will be described.

  The slit lamp microscope 1 includes an illumination system 2, an imaging system 3, and a moving mechanism 6. The illumination system 2 irradiates the anterior segment of the eye E with slit light. The imaging system 3 includes an optical system 4 that guides light from the anterior segment irradiated with slit light, and an imaging element 5 that receives light guided by the optical system 4 on an imaging surface. The moving mechanism 6 moves the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3.

  The illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 are arranged such that the object surface along the optical axis (illumination optical axis) 2a of the illumination system 2, the optical system 4, and the imaging surface of the imaging device 5 satisfy the Scheimpflug condition. It is configured.

  The imaging system 3 acquires a plurality of images of the anterior segment of the eye E by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 by the moving mechanism 6. Typically, this repeated shooting is moving image shooting, whereby a moving image consisting of a plurality of anterior segment images is acquired.

  According to such a slit lamp microscope 1, by moving the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3, the three-dimensional region of the anterior segment of the eye E can be scanned with the slit light, and the three-dimensional region can be scanned. An image to represent can be obtained. Therefore, a doctor or an optometricist can observe the image acquired by the slit lamp microscope 1 and grasp the state of a desired part of the anterior segment.

  Further, the image acquired by the slit lamp microscope 1 can be provided to a doctor or an optomerist at a remote place. Typically, the slit lamp microscope 1 can transmit the image acquired about the anterior eye part of the eye E by the communication unit 9 toward an information processing apparatus used by a doctor or an optometric list. Note that providing the communication unit 9 is optional. The method of providing an image acquired by the slit lamp microscope 1 is not limited to such data communication, and may be a method of providing a recording medium or a printing medium on which an image is recorded. Recording on the recording medium is performed by a recording device (data writer) conforming to the recording medium, and recording on the printing medium is performed by a printing apparatus.

  Further, since the slit lamp microscope 1 is configured such that the object surface along the illumination optical axis 2a and the imaging surfaces of the optical system 4 and the imaging device 5 satisfy the Scheimpflug condition, the depth direction (Z direction) It is possible to focus on a wide range. For example, the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 are configured so that the imaging system 3 is focused on a portion defined by at least the front surface of the cornea and the rear surface of the crystalline lens. Thereby, it becomes possible to image the whole main part of the anterior ocular segment to be subjected to slit lamp microscopic examination with high definition. The in-focus range is not limited to the area defined by the front surface of the cornea and the rear surface of the crystalline lens, and can be set arbitrarily.

  In a case where a configuration that does not satisfy the Scheimpflug condition is applied, to focus on a wide range in the depth direction and photograph a three-dimensional area, while focusing on each part of the anterior eye, It is necessary to move the illumination system and the imaging system along a curved path according to the shape, but such operations and controls are complicated and impractical.

  Further, the illumination system 2 may irradiate the anterior eye with slit light whose longitudinal direction is the body axis direction (Y direction) of the subject. Furthermore, the moving mechanism 6 may be configured to be able to move the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 in a direction (X direction) orthogonal to the body axis direction of the subject. The direction and moving direction of the slit light are not limited to these and can be set arbitrarily, but typically the moving direction is set in the width direction of the slit light.

  The length of the slit light (the slit light in the body axis direction) is emitted when the slit light having the body axis direction as the longitudinal direction is irradiated and the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 are moved in a direction orthogonal to the body axis direction. Of the corneal diameter in the body axis direction or more. In addition, the moving mechanism 6 can be configured such that the moving distance of the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 by the moving mechanism 6 is equal to or greater than the corneal diameter in the direction orthogonal to the body axis direction (X direction). The corneal diameter may be the corneal diameter of the eye E or a standard corneal diameter. Note that the length and moving distance of the slit light are not limited to these and can be arbitrarily set.

  According to such a configuration, an image can be obtained for the entire cornea. Furthermore, when combined with a configuration that satisfies the Scheinproof condition, it is possible to acquire an image that represents the entire cornea and a sufficient depth range.

  As described above, according to the slit lamp microscope 1, a high-quality image representing a wide range (three-dimensional region) of the anterior segment is automatically acquired without the need for a technically skilled person to perform a fine and complicated operation. can do. The image interpreter can perform observation and diagnosis by receiving an image acquired by the slit lamp microscope 1.

  Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that there is a shortage of specialists, and to widely provide high-quality slit lamp microscopy. For example, such a slit lamp microscope 1 can be said to be effective in screening for an anterior segment disease or the like.

  Hereinafter, exemplary functions and exemplary configurations that can be combined with the slit lamp microscope 1 will be described. In the following embodiments, the same elements as those in the first embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals. In the drawings shown in the following embodiments, the same elements as those in the first embodiment may be omitted.

Second Embodiment
In the present embodiment, the configuration of an optical system applicable to the slit lamp microscope 1 of the first embodiment will be described. An example is shown in FIG. In addition to the element group shown in FIG. 5, elements shown in other embodiments may be provided. For example, the control unit 7, the data processing unit 8, and the communication unit 9 of the first embodiment may be provided.

  The illumination system 20 shown in FIG. 5 is an example of the illumination system 2 of the first embodiment, and the left imaging system 30L and the right imaging system 30R are examples of the imaging system 3. Reference numeral 20a indicates an optical axis (illumination optical axis) of the illumination system 20, reference numeral 30La indicates an optical axis (left imaging optical axis) of the left imaging system 30L, and reference numeral 30Ra indicates an optical axis (right imaging light) of the right imaging system 30R. Axis). The left photographing optical axis 30La and the right photographing optical axis 30Ra are arranged in different directions. The angle formed by the illumination optical axis 20a and the left photographing optical axis 30La is denoted by θL, and the angle formed by the illumination optical axis 20a and the right photographing optical axis 30Ra is denoted by θR. The angle θL and the angle θR may be equal to or different from each other. The illumination optical axis 20a, the left photographing optical axis 30La, and the right photographing optical axis 30Ra intersect at one point. As in FIG. 1, the Z coordinate of this intersection is denoted by Z0.

  The moving mechanism 6 can move the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R in a direction (X direction) indicated by an arrow 49. Typically, the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R are placed on a stage that can move at least in the X direction, and the moving mechanism 6 receives a control signal from the control unit 7. The movable stage is moved according to

  The illumination system 20 irradiates the anterior segment of the eye E with slit light. The illumination system 20 includes an illumination light source 21, a positive lens 22, a slit forming unit 23, and objective lens groups 24 and 25 in order from the side far from the eye E as in the illumination system of the conventional slit lamp microscope. Including.

  Illumination light (typically, visible light) output from the illumination light source 21 is refracted by the positive lens 22 and projected to the slit forming section 23. Part of the projected illumination light passes through a slit formed by the slit forming unit 23 and becomes slit light. The generated slit light is refracted by the objective lens groups 24 and 25, then reflected by the beam splitter 47, and applied to the anterior eye portion of the eye E to be examined.

  The left imaging system 30L includes a reflector 31L, an imaging lens 32L, and an image sensor 33L. The reflector 31L and the imaging lens 32L guide the light from the anterior segment irradiated with the slit light from the illumination system 20 (light traveling in the direction of the left imaging system 30L) to the image sensor 33L.

  Light traveling from the anterior segment to the left imaging system 30L is light from the anterior segment to which the slit light is applied, and is light traveling in a direction away from the illumination optical axis 20a. The reflector 31L reflects the light in a direction approaching the illumination optical axis 20a. The imaging lens 32L refracts the light reflected by the reflector 31L and forms an image on the imaging surface 34L of the imaging element 33L. The imaging element 33L receives the light at the imaging surface 34L.

  As in the first embodiment, the left imaging system 30L repeatedly performs imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R by the moving mechanism 6. Thereby, a plurality of anterior segment images are obtained.

  As in the first embodiment, the object surface along the illumination optical axis 20a, the optical system including the reflector 31L and the imaging lens 32L, and the imaging surface 34L satisfy the Scheimpflug condition. More specifically, considering the deflection of the optical path of the imaging system 30L by the reflector 31L, the YZ plane (including the object plane) passing through the illumination optical axis 20a, the main surface of the imaging lens 32L, and the imaging plane 34L Intersect on the same straight line. Accordingly, the left imaging system 30L can perform imaging while focusing on all positions in the object plane (for example, a range from the front surface of the cornea to the rear surface of the crystalline lens).

  The right photographing system 30R includes a reflector 31R, an imaging lens 32R, and an image sensor 33R. Similar to the left imaging system 30L, the right imaging system 30R receives light from the anterior segment irradiated with slit light from the illumination system 20 by the reflector 31R and the imaging lens 32R, and the imaging surface 34R of the imaging element 33R. Lead to. Further, similarly to the left imaging system 30L, the right imaging system 30R performs multiple imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R by the moving mechanism 6, and thereby a plurality of anterior eyes. Get a partial image. Similar to the left imaging system 30L, the object surface along the illumination optical axis 20a, the optical system including the reflector 31R and the imaging lens 32R, and the imaging surface 34R satisfy the Scheimpflug condition.

  The control unit 7 can synchronize repetitive imaging with the left imaging system 30L and repetitive imaging with the right imaging system 30R. Thereby, the correspondence between the plurality of anterior eye images obtained by the left imaging system 30L and the plurality of anterior eye images obtained by the right imaging system 30R is obtained. This correspondence relationship is a temporal correspondence relationship, and more specifically, images acquired at the same time are paired.

  Alternatively, the control unit 7 or the data processing unit 8 obtains the correspondence between the plurality of anterior eye images obtained by the left imaging system 30L and the plurality of anterior eye images obtained by the right imaging system 30R. Processing can be performed. For example, the control unit 7 or the data processing unit 8 generates an anterior segment image sequentially input from the left imaging system 30L and an anterior segment image sequentially input from the right imaging system 30R according to their input timings. Pairing is possible.

  This embodiment further includes a moving image capturing system 40. The moving image capturing system 40 captures a moving image of the anterior eye portion of the eye E from a fixed position in parallel with the capturing by the left capturing system 30L and the right capturing system 30R. The “moving image shooting from a fixed position” means that the moving image shooting system 40 is not moved by the moving mechanism 6 unlike the illumination system 20, the left shooting system 30L, and the right shooting system 30R.

  Although the moving image photographing system 40 of the present embodiment is arranged coaxially with the illumination system 20, the arrangement is not limited to this. For example, the moving image shooting system can be arranged non-coaxial with the illumination system 20. An optical system that illuminates the anterior segment with illumination light in a band in which the moving image capturing system 40 has sensitivity may be provided.

  The light transmitted through the beam splitter 47 is reflected by the reflector 48 and enters the moving image photographing system 40. The light incident on the moving image capturing system 40 is refracted by the objective lens 41 and then imaged on the imaging surface of the image sensor 43 by the imaging lens 42. The image sensor 43 is an area sensor.

  When the moving image capturing system 40 is provided, it is possible to monitor the movement of the eye E and perform tracking. Tracking is a process for causing the optical system to follow the movement of the eye E. Such processing will be described in another embodiment.

  The beam splitter 47 is, for example, a dichroic mirror or a half mirror according to the output wavelength of the illumination system 20 and the detection wavelength of the moving image capturing system 40.

  The effects achieved by the present embodiment will be described.

  This embodiment is an example of the imaging system 3 of the first embodiment, and includes a left imaging system 30L and a right imaging system 30R. The combination of the left photographing system 30L and the right photographing system 30R is an example of the combination of the first photographing system and the second photographing system.

  The left photographing system 30L includes a reflector 31L and an imaging lens 32L (first optical system) for guiding light from the anterior segment irradiated with the slit light, and an image pickup surface 34L (first image pickup surface). ) And the image sensor 33L (first image sensor) that receives light. Similarly, the right imaging system 30R includes a reflector 31R and an imaging lens 32R (second optical system) that guide light from the anterior segment irradiated with slit light, and an imaging surface 34R (second optical system). 2 imaging surfaces) and an image sensor 33R (second image sensor) that receives light.

  The optical axis of the left imaging system 30L (left imaging optical axis 30La) and the optical axis of the right imaging system 30R (right imaging optical axis 30Ra) are arranged in different directions. Furthermore, the object surface along the optical axis of the illumination system 20 (illumination optical axis 20a), the reflector 31L, the imaging lens 32L, and the imaging surface 34L satisfy the Scheinproof condition. Similarly, the object surface, the reflector 31L, the imaging lens 32L, and the imaging surface 34L satisfy the Scheimpflug condition.

  The left imaging system 30L acquires a first image group by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R by the moving mechanism 6. Similarly, the right imaging system 30R acquires the second image group by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R by the moving mechanism 6.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to photograph moving images of the anterior segment irradiated with the slit light from different directions. Even when an image acquired by one imaging system includes an artifact, an image acquired substantially simultaneously with the image by the other imaging system may not include the artifact. In addition, when a pair of images acquired substantially simultaneously by both photographing systems includes an artifact, and the artifact in one image overlaps a region of interest (for example, a slit light irradiation region) However, the artifact in the other image may not overlap the attention area. Therefore, the possibility that a suitable image can be acquired increases. Processing for acquiring a suitable image from a pair of images acquired substantially simultaneously will be described later.

  The photographing system 3 may include a third photographing system,..., A K-th photographing system (K is an integer of 3 or more) having a similar configuration, in addition to the first photographing system and the second photographing system. .

  The left imaging system 30L of the present embodiment includes a reflector 31L and an imaging lens 32L. The reflector 31L reflects the light from the anterior segment irradiated with the slit light and traveling in the direction away from the illumination optical axis 20a in the direction approaching the illumination optical axis 20a. Further, the imaging lens 32L forms an image of the light reflected by the reflector 31L on the imaging surface 34L. Here, the imaging lens 32L includes one or more lenses.

  Similarly, the right photographing system 30R includes a reflector 31R and an imaging lens 32R. The reflector 31R reflects light that travels in a direction away from the illumination optical axis 20a, which is light from the anterior segment irradiated with the slit light, in a direction approaching the illumination optical axis 20a. Further, the imaging lens 32R images the light reflected by the reflector 31R on the imaging surface 34R. Here, the imaging lens 32R includes one or more lenses.

  According to such a configuration, the size of the device can be reduced. That is, the image acquired by the image sensor 33L (33R) is output through a cable extending from the surface opposite to the imaging surface 34L (34R), but according to this configuration, the image is relatively close to the illumination optical axis 20a. The cable can be arranged from the back surface of the imaging element 33L (33R) positioned in the opposite direction to the eye E. Therefore, the cable can be suitably routed and the apparatus can be reduced in size.

  Further, according to the present configuration, since the angle θL and the angle θR can be set to be large, when an image acquired by one imaging system includes an artifact, the image is substantially different from the image by the other imaging system. In addition, it is possible to increase the possibility that artifacts are not included in images acquired simultaneously. In addition, when a pair of images acquired substantially simultaneously by both photographing systems includes an artifact, and the artifact in one image overlaps a region of interest (for example, a slit light irradiation region) The possibility that the artifact in the other image overlaps the attention area can be reduced.

  This embodiment includes a moving image capturing system 40. The left photographing system 30L and the right photographing system 30R repeatedly photograph the anterior segment in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left photographing system 30L, and the right photographing system 30R by the moving mechanism 6. In parallel with this repeated shooting, the moving image shooting system 40 takes a moving image of the anterior segment from a fixed position.

  According to such a configuration, by capturing a moving image from a fixed position (for example, the front) in parallel with the scanning of the anterior segment by the slit light, it is possible to grasp the state of the eye E during scanning, It is possible to perform control according to the state of E. Examples thereof will be described in other embodiments.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of an optical system that can be used instead of the configuration shown in FIG. In addition, the code | symbol for every element is abbreviate | omitted. In the left imaging system 30L ′ of the optical system according to the present example, the reflector illuminates light that travels in a direction away from the illumination optical axis 20a ′, which is light from the anterior segment irradiated with slit light. Reflected in a direction further away from the optical axis 20a. Further, the imaging lens forms an image of the light reflected by the reflector on the imaging surface of the imaging device.

  Although it is possible to adopt such a configuration, since the cable is arranged laterally (or in the direction toward the eye E) from the back surface of the image sensor located relatively far from the illumination optical axis 20a ', There is a problem that the cable cannot be routed properly.

<Third Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, a configuration of a processing system applicable to the slit lamp microscope 1 of the first embodiment will be described. In the photographing system 3 of the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 described in the second embodiment, the left photographing optical axis 30La and the right photographing optical axis 30Ra are opposite to each other with respect to the illumination optical axis 20a. It is arranged to be inclined. The processing system of the present embodiment executes processing related to the following artifacts.

  The data processing unit 8A illustrated in FIG. 7 is an example of the data processing unit 8 according to the first embodiment. The data processing unit 8A includes an image selection unit 81.

  The image selection unit 81 determines whether any of the two images acquired substantially simultaneously by the left photographing system 30L and the right photographing system 30R includes an artifact. Artifact determination includes predetermined image analysis, and typically includes threshold processing regarding luminance information assigned to pixels.

  In this threshold processing, for example, a pixel to which a luminance value exceeding a preset threshold is assigned is specified. Typically, the threshold value is set higher than the luminance value of the slit light irradiation area in the image. In this case, the image selection unit 81 does not determine the irradiation area of the slit light as an artifact, and determines an image brighter than that (for example, a regular reflection image) as an artifact.

  The image selection unit 81 may execute any image analysis other than the threshold processing, such as pattern recognition, segmentation, and edge detection, for artifact determination. In general, any information processing technique such as image analysis, image processing, artificial intelligence, cognitive computing, and the like can be applied to artifact determination.

  As a result of the artifact determination, when it is determined that one of the two images acquired substantially simultaneously by the left imaging system 30L and the right imaging system 30R contains an artifact, the image selection unit 81 determines the other image. select. In other words, the image selection unit 81 selects an image that is not an image determined to include the artifact among these two images.

  When artifacts are included in both images, the image selection unit 81 can evaluate, for example, the adverse effect of the artifact on observation and diagnosis, and select an image on the side with a small adverse effect. This evaluation is performed based on, for example, the size and / or position of the artifact. Typically, an image having a large artifact included is evaluated as having a large adverse effect, and an image in which an artifact is located in a region of interest such as a slit light irradiation region or the vicinity thereof is evaluated as having a large adverse effect.

  When artifacts are included in both images, the artifact removal described in the fourth embodiment may be applied.

  As described in the second embodiment, the left photographing system 30L repeatedly performs photographing in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left photographing system 30L, and the right photographing system 30R by the moving mechanism 6, thereby forming the first image group. get. Similarly, the right imaging system 30R acquires the second image group by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R by the moving mechanism 6. The repeated shooting is typically moving image shooting, and each of the first image group and the second image group is a frame group constituting a moving image. Further, as described above, images acquired substantially simultaneously from the first image group and the second image group are paired.

  The image selection unit 81 selects one of the paired images (a combination of an image from the first image group and an image from the second image group). Thereby, for example, one image is selected from each of a plurality of image pairs, and a plurality of images substantially including no artifacts are selected.

  The data processing unit 8A further includes a three-dimensional image construction unit 82. The three-dimensional image construction unit 82 constructs a three-dimensional image based on the image group including the images selected from the first image group and the second image group by the image selection unit 81. This image group may include only one of a plurality of images selected from the first image group and the second image group by the image selection unit 81, or may further include images other than these.

  The three-dimensional image is an image (image data) in which the positions of the pixels are defined by a three-dimensional coordinate system. Examples of 3D images include stack data and volume data. Stack data is constructed by embedding a plurality of two-dimensional images in a single three-dimensional coordinate system according to their positional relationship. Volume data is also referred to as voxel data, and is constructed by applying voxelization to stack data, for example.

  An example of a process for constructing a three-dimensional image will be described. Assume that the image group to which the three-dimensional image construction is applied is a plurality of anterior segment images (frame groups) F1, F2, F3,. The anterior segment image Fn includes a slit light irradiation area An (n = 1, 2,..., N).

  The three-dimensional image construction unit 82 analyzes the anterior eye image Fn and extracts the slit light irradiation area An. The extraction of the slit light irradiation area An is performed with reference to luminance information assigned to the pixel, and typically includes threshold processing. Thereby, the slit light irradiation region image Gn in which the slit light irradiation region An (only) is depicted is obtained (n = 1, 2,..., N). FIG. 8 shows an example of a plurality of slit light irradiation region images G1 to GN constructed from a plurality of anterior eye images F1 to FN.

  When an artifact is included in the slit light irradiation area image Gn, the artifact can be removed from the slit light irradiation area image Gn by, for example, known image processing or image processing according to another embodiment. In addition, distortion correction described in other embodiments can be applied to the anterior segment image Fn or the slit light irradiation region image Gn.

  The three-dimensional image construction unit 82 constructs a three-dimensional image based on at least a part of the plurality of slit light irradiation area images G1 to GN. Details of the three-dimensional image and its construction will be described in other embodiments.

  The effects achieved by the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the left imaging optical axis 30La and the right imaging optical axis 30Ra are arranged so as to be inclined in directions opposite to each other with respect to the illumination optical axis 20a. The data processing unit 8A of the present embodiment includes an image selection unit 81. The image selection unit 81 determines whether any of the two images acquired substantially simultaneously by the left photographing system 30L and the right photographing system 30R includes an artifact. When it is determined that one of the two images includes an artifact, the image selection unit 81 selects the other of the two images, that is, an image that does not include the artifact.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to select an image that does not include an artifact (a regular reflection image or the like) that hinders observation or diagnosis.

  Further, the data processing unit 8A of the present embodiment includes a three-dimensional image construction unit 82. The three-dimensional image construction unit 82 is based on an image group including an image selected by the image selection unit 81 from among a plurality of images acquired by the left imaging system 30L and a plurality of images acquired by the right imaging system 30R. Then, a three-dimensional image representing the anterior segment of the eye E is constructed.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to construct a three-dimensional image of the anterior ocular segment based on an image group that does not include an artifact that hinders observation and diagnosis.

<Fourth embodiment>
In the present embodiment, a configuration of a processing system applicable to the slit lamp microscope 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

  In the imaging system 3 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 described in the second embodiment, the left imaging optical axis 30La and the right imaging optical axis 30Ra are inclined in directions opposite to each other with respect to the illumination optical axis 20a. Or two imaging optical axes may be arranged in the same direction with respect to the illumination optical axis. In the latter case, the angle formed by one of the two shooting optical axes and the illumination optical axis is different from the angle formed by the other shooting optical axis and the illumination optical axis. In any case, the position of one imaging optical axis with respect to the illumination optical axis is different from the position of the other imaging optical axis with respect to the illumination optical axis. The processing system of the present embodiment executes processing related to the following artifacts.

  The data processing unit 8B illustrated in FIG. 9 is an example of the data processing unit 8 according to the first embodiment. The data processing unit 8B includes an artifact removing unit 83.

  The artifact removal unit 83 compares two images acquired substantially simultaneously by the left photographing system 30L and the right photographing system 30R to determine whether any of these two images includes an artifact. Here, the two images acquired substantially simultaneously by the left imaging system 30L and the right imaging system 30R are associated with each other by, for example, the above-described image pairing.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the position of one imaging optical axis with respect to the illumination optical axis is different from the position of the other imaging optical axis with respect to the illumination optical axis. Therefore, the position of the artifact in the image acquired by one imaging system (for example, the left imaging system 30L) is different from the position of the artifact in the image acquired by the other imaging system (for example, the right imaging system 30R). Alternatively, the artifact is included only in one of the two images to be compared.

  The artifact removing unit 83 analyzes each of these two images to determine whether the image includes an artifact. The artifact determination is executed in the same manner as the image selection unit 81 of the third embodiment, for example.

  If only one of the two images contains the artifact, the artifact removing unit 83 can remove the artifact or select an image that does not contain the artifact as in the third embodiment. Note that determining that one of the two images includes an artifact and the other does not include an artifact corresponds to a comparison between the two images.

  When artifacts are included in both of the two images, the artifact removal unit 83 processes one or both of the two images to remove the artifact.

  The artifact removing unit 83 can paste a partial region of another image on the image region from which the artifact has been removed. As described above, the positions of the artifacts in the two images to be compared are different, or the artifact is included in only one of these two images, so if the artifact is removed from one image, the other image The corresponding area in is not an artifact. The artifact removing unit 83 extracts the corresponding region from the other image and pastes it on the location where the alignment is removed.

  Alternatively, when another imaging system is provided as in the moving image imaging system 40 of the second embodiment, the corresponding region in the image of the anterior segment acquired thereby is extracted, and this is extracted from the position where the alignment is removed. It is possible to paste on.

  As described in the second embodiment, the left photographing system 30L repeatedly performs photographing in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left photographing system 30L, and the right photographing system 30R by the moving mechanism 6, thereby forming the first image group. get. Similarly, the right imaging system 30R acquires the second image group by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R by the moving mechanism 6. The repeated shooting is typically moving image shooting, and each of the first image group and the second image group is a frame group constituting a moving image. Further, as described above, images acquired substantially simultaneously from the first image group and the second image group are paired. The artifact removal unit 83 applies the above alignment removal for each of the plurality of image pairs.

  The data processing unit 8B further includes a three-dimensional image construction unit 84. The three-dimensional image construction unit 84 constructs a three-dimensional image based on the image group including the image from which the artifact has been removed by the artifact removal unit 83. This image group may include only one of a plurality of images processed by the artifact removing unit 83, or may further include images other than these. Details of the three-dimensional image and its construction will be described in other embodiments.

  The effects achieved by the present embodiment will be described.

  The data processing unit 8B of the present embodiment includes an artifact removing unit 83. The artifact removal unit 83 compares two images acquired substantially simultaneously by the left photographing system 30L and the right photographing system 30R to determine whether any of these two images includes an artifact. When it is determined that any of the images includes an artifact, the artifact removing unit 83 executes the removal of the artifact.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to construct an image that does not include an artifact (a regular reflection image or the like) that hinders observation or diagnosis.

  Further, the data processing unit 8B of the present embodiment includes a three-dimensional image construction unit 84. The three-dimensional image constructing unit 84 constructs a three-dimensional image representing the anterior segment of the eye E based on the image group including the image from which the artifact has been removed by the artifact removing unit 83.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to construct a three-dimensional image of the anterior ocular segment based on an image group that does not include artifacts that hinder observation and diagnosis.

<Fifth embodiment>
In the present embodiment, a configuration of a processing system applicable to the slit lamp microscope 1 of the first embodiment will be described. In the third and fourth embodiments, typically, the processing related to the artifact is applied to two images acquired substantially simultaneously by the first imaging system and the second imaging system, and the artifact is not included. A three-dimensional image is constructed based on the image group. On the other hand, it is also possible to construct a three-dimensional image without going through the processing related to the artifact. This embodiment is applicable to such a case.

  A data processing unit 8C illustrated in FIG. 10 is an example of the data processing unit 8 according to the first embodiment. The data processing unit 8C includes a three-dimensional image construction unit 85.

  In the first example of the present embodiment, as described in the first embodiment, the imaging system 3 repeatedly performs imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 by the moving mechanism 6, thereby obtaining an image. A plurality of images of the anterior segment of the optometry E are acquired.

  The three-dimensional image construction unit 85 can construct a three-dimensional image based on a plurality of images acquired by the imaging system 3. The image group used for the three-dimensional image construction may include only one of a plurality of images acquired by the photographing system 3, or may further include images other than these. Details of the three-dimensional image and its construction will be described in other embodiments.

  In the second example of the present embodiment, as described in the second embodiment, the left imaging system 30L repeats in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R by the moving mechanism 6. The first image group is acquired by performing photographing. Similarly, the right imaging system 30R acquires a second image group by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R by the moving mechanism 6. The images acquired substantially simultaneously from the first image group and the second image group are paired.

  The three-dimensional image construction unit 85 can construct a three-dimensional image based on the first image group acquired by the left imaging system 30L. The image group used for the construction of the three-dimensional image may include only one of the first image groups, or may further include images other than these. Similarly, the three-dimensional image construction unit 85 can construct a three-dimensional image based on the second image group acquired by the right imaging system 30R. The image group used for constructing the three-dimensional image may include only one of the second image groups, or may further include images other than these. Details of the three-dimensional image and its construction will be described in other embodiments.

  The effects achieved by the present embodiment will be described.

  The data processing unit 8C of the present embodiment includes a three-dimensional image construction unit 85. The three-dimensional image construction unit 85 constructs a three-dimensional image based on a plurality of images acquired by the imaging system 3. The imaging system 3 may include both the left imaging system 30L and the right imaging system 30R, or may include only a single imaging system corresponding to one of these.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to construct a three-dimensional image representing a three-dimensional region in the anterior segment of the subject's eye E. Three-dimensional images are useful for observation and diagnosis.

<Sixth embodiment>
This embodiment is applicable when a three-dimensional image of the anterior segment can be constructed as in the third to fifth embodiments.

  As described above, the three-dimensional image is constructed from a plurality of images sequentially obtained by scanning the slit light. In order to construct a three-dimensional image from a plurality of images, it is necessary to arrange a plurality of images. Since the plurality of images are obtained at different timings, a plurality of images are arranged with high accuracy and high accuracy. It is difficult. The present embodiment has been devised to solve such problems.

  The control unit 7 shown in FIG. 11 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The moving mechanism 6 </ b> A is an example of the moving mechanism 6 of the first embodiment, and includes a parallel moving mechanism 61 and a rotating mechanism 62. The data processing unit 8D includes a three-dimensional image construction unit 86. The 3D image construction unit 86 is an example of the 3D image construction unit 82 of the third embodiment, is an example of the 3D image construction unit 84 of the fourth embodiment, and is a 3D image of the fifth embodiment. It is an example of the construction unit 85. The three-dimensional image construction unit 86 includes an image position determination unit 87.

  When the configuration shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment is applied, the parallel movement mechanism 61 moves the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 integrally in the X direction in order to scan the anterior eye part with slit light. .

  When the configuration shown in FIG. 5 of the second embodiment is applied, the parallel movement mechanism 61 integrally integrates the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R in order to scan the anterior eye part with slit light. To the X direction.

  When the configuration shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment is applied, the rotation mechanism 62 integrally rotates the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 around the illumination optical axis 2a.

  When the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 of the second embodiment is applied, the rotation mechanism 62 integrally rotates the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R around the illumination optical axis 20a.

  Accordingly, the direction of the slit light applied to the anterior segment of the eye E can be rotated, and the imaging direction also rotates by the same angle as the rotation of the direction of the slit light.

  When the configuration shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment is applied, when the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 are arranged at the first rotation position, an anterior eye scan with slit light is executed and the imaging system 3 Multiple images are acquired.

  When the configuration shown in FIG. 5 of the second embodiment is applied, an anterior eye scan by slit light is executed when the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R are arranged at the first rotation position. Then, a first image group is acquired by the left imaging system 30L, and a second image group is acquired by the right imaging system 30R.

  The first rotation position is, for example, a rotation position in which the longitudinal direction of the slit light projected on the anterior eye matches the body axis direction (Y direction) of the subject.

  When the configuration shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment is applied, when the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 are arranged at a second rotation position different from the first rotation position, the imaging system 3 To acquire an image of the anterior ocular segment irradiated with the slit light.

  When the configuration shown in FIG. 5 of the second embodiment is applied, when the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R are arranged at a second rotation position different from the first rotation position, left imaging is performed. Each of the system 30L and the right photographing system 30R obtains an image of the anterior segment to which the illumination system 20 has irradiated the slit light.

  The second rotation position is, for example, a rotation position in which the longitudinal direction of the slit light projected on the anterior segment matches the left-right direction (X direction). Accordingly, one or more imaging operations are performed separately from the anterior segment scan performed at the first rotation position. In this additional photographing, the direction of the slit light is different from that at the time of anterior segment scanning. Typically, the direction of the slit light can be set so as to pass through all the slit light irradiation regions in the anterior segment scanning.

  The image position determining unit 87 determines the relative positions of the plurality of images of the anterior segment acquired at the first rotation position, based on the image of the anterior segment acquired at the second rotation position. In this image position determination, the arrangement of a plurality of images obtained at the first rotation position is adjusted with reference to the image obtained at the second rotation position.

  The image position determining unit 87 analyzes, for example, each image obtained at the first rotation position and an image obtained at the second rotation position, and specifies a common region between the two. Further, the image position determination unit 87 determines the relative position between each image obtained at the first rotation position and the image obtained at the second rotation position, with the specified common area as a reference.

  By applying such processing to all the images obtained at the first rotation position, all the images obtained at the first rotation position are referenced with respect to the image obtained at the second rotation position. The images are arranged. That is, the relative positions of all the images obtained at the first rotational position are determined through the image obtained at the second rotational position.

  The processing executed by the image position determining unit 87 may include, for example, arbitrary information processing such as image correlation processing, segmentation, pattern matching, processing using artificial intelligence, and processing using cognitive computing.

  The three-dimensional image construction unit 86 arranges a plurality of images obtained at the first rotation position in a single three-dimensional coordinate system based on the relative position determined by the image position determination unit 87, and To form

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the irradiation position of the slit light in the present embodiment. FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which the anterior eye portion is viewed from the front. When the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 are arranged at the first rotation position, the plurality of slit light irradiation areas in the anterior segment scan are a plurality of strip-shaped areas with the Y direction as the longitudinal direction and arranged in the X direction. It corresponds to. In the anterior segment scan of this example, slit light is sequentially irradiated to these strip-like regions in the order indicated by the arrows 11. When each strip-shaped region is irradiated with slit light, at least one photographing is performed.

  On the other hand, reference numeral 12 indicates the position of slit light applied to the anterior segment when the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 are arranged at the second rotation position. The slit light irradiation area 12 corresponding to the second rotation position is a strip-shaped area having the X direction as a longitudinal direction. That is, in this example, the direction of the slit light applied to the anterior segment at the first rotational position and the direction of the slit light applied to the anterior segment at the second rotational position are orthogonal to each other. Note that the relationship between the direction of the slit light applied to the anterior segment at the first rotational position and the direction of the slit light applied to the anterior segment at the second rotational position is not limited to this. It is enough if the orientation of the is different.

  Here, the case where the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 are applied has been described, but the same applies to the case where the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R are applied.

  In this example, both the anterior segment scanning at the first rotation position and the imaging at the second rotation position are performed, but the timing of performing these may be arbitrary. For example, performing an anterior segment scan at the first rotational position after imaging at the second rotational position, or performing an imaging at the second rotational position after an anterior segment scan at the first rotational position. Alternatively, it is possible to perform imaging at the second rotational position in the middle of the anterior segment scanning at the first rotational position.

  The effects achieved by the present embodiment will be described.

  The movement mechanism 6A of the present embodiment includes a rotation mechanism 62 that integrally rotates the illumination system 2 (20) and the imaging system 3 (30L, 30R) with the illumination optical axis 2a (20a) as a rotation axis. When the illumination system 2 (20) and the imaging system 3 (30L, 30R) are arranged at the first rotation position, the imaging system 3 (30L, 30R) includes a plurality of anterior eye segments irradiated with slit light. Get the image. Furthermore, when the illumination system 2 (20) and the imaging system 3 (30L, 30R) are arranged at a second rotational position different from the first rotational position, the imaging system 3 (30L, 30R) is connected to the illumination system 2 ( 20) to acquire an image of the anterior segment irradiated with slit light. The image position determination unit 87 determines the relative positions of the plurality of images acquired at the first rotation position based on the image acquired at the second rotation position. The three-dimensional image constructing unit 86 constructs a three-dimensional image by aligning a plurality of images based on the determined relative position.

  According to such a configuration, registration between a plurality of images acquired at the first rotation position can be performed with reference to the image acquired at the second rotation position. It is possible to improve accuracy and precision.

  Note that “determining the relative positions of the plurality of images acquired at the first rotation position” means not only determining the relative positions of the plurality of images themselves, but also the plurality of images extracted from the plurality of images. Determining the relative position of the slit light irradiation area is also included. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the slit light irradiation area is extracted after determining the relative positions of the plurality of images, and the relative position is determined after extracting the slit light irradiation areas from the plurality of images. Including both.

  Further, the present embodiment includes determining a relative position of an image group selected from a plurality of images acquired at the first rotation position, as in the case where the third embodiment is applied. Furthermore, this embodiment includes determining the relative position of an image group obtained by processing a plurality of images acquired at the first rotational position, as in the case where the fourth embodiment is applied. Therefore, in this embodiment, when selecting or processing an image after determining the relative positions of the plurality of images, and when determining a relative position of the selected image or processed image after selecting or processing an image. Including both.

<Seventh embodiment>
In the present embodiment, the three-dimensional image construction described in the third to sixth embodiments will be described.

  The three-dimensional image construction unit 88 illustrated in FIG. 13 includes an image area extraction unit 89 and an image synthesis unit 90.

  When the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment is applied, the image area extracting unit 89 performs, from each of a plurality of images acquired by the imaging system 3 in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3, An image area corresponding to the irradiation area of the slit light from the illumination system 2 is extracted. The extracted image region is a two-dimensional image region or a three-dimensional image region.

  When the configuration shown in FIG. 5 of the second embodiment is applied, the image area extraction unit 89 is acquired by the left imaging system 30L in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R. From each of the plurality of images, an image region corresponding to the irradiation region of the slit light from the illumination system 20 can be extracted. Further, the image area extraction unit 89 performs slit light from the illumination system 20 from each of a plurality of images acquired by the right imaging system 30R in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, and the right imaging system 30R. An image region corresponding to the irradiation region can be extracted. Also in this example, the extracted image region is a two-dimensional image region or a three-dimensional image region.

  The processing executed by the image area extraction unit 89 is, for example, the processing of extracting the slit light irradiation area An from the anterior eye image Fn and explaining the slit light irradiation area image described in the third embodiment with reference to FIGS. 3 and 8. It is executed in the same manner as the processing for constructing Gn.

  The image synthesizing unit 90 synthesizes a plurality of image regions (a plurality of slit light irradiation regions) extracted from the plurality of images by the image region extracting unit 89 to construct a three-dimensional image. For example, the image synthesis unit 90 may include a process of embedding a plurality of slit light irradiation areas in a single three-dimensional coordinate system, and may further include a process of processing the plurality of embedded slit light irradiation areas. As processing of the plurality of slit light irradiation regions, for example, noise removal, noise reduction, voxelization, and the like can be performed.

  Before synthesizing the plurality of slit light irradiation regions, the processing according to the sixth embodiment may be applied to determine the relative positions of the plurality of slit light irradiation regions.

  The image region extraction unit 89 may be configured to extract, from each of the plurality of images, an image region corresponding to both the slit light irradiation region and a predetermined part of the anterior eye part. The predetermined region of the anterior segment may be, for example, a site defined by the front surface of the cornea and the rear surface of the lens.

  For example, the image region extracting unit 89 first specifies a slit light irradiation region by threshold processing of luminance information, and specifies an image region corresponding to the front surface of the cornea and an image region corresponding to the rear surface of the crystalline lens by segmentation.

  Next, based on the image region corresponding to the anterior corneal surface and the image region corresponding to the posterior lens surface, the image region extracting unit 89 performs an image region corresponding to a region defined by the anterior corneal surface and the posterior lens surface (target image region). To identify.

  Subsequently, the image area extracting unit 89 specifies a common area between the slit light irradiation area and the target image area, that is, an image area included in both the slit light irradiation area and the target image area. Thereby, for example, a two-dimensional image region (cross section) or a three-dimensional image region (slice) in the target image corresponding to the slit light irradiation region in the range from the front surface of the cornea to the rear surface of the crystalline lens is specified.

  In this example, the image composition is performed after the extraction of the slit light irradiation area. However, on the contrary, the extraction of the slit light irradiation area may be performed after the image composition. Further, the image area to be extracted is not limited to the slit light irradiation area, and the predetermined area is not limited to the portion from the front surface of the cornea to the rear surface of the crystalline lens.

  According to such a configuration, a three-dimensional image of a desired part of the anterior segment can be acquired from a plurality of images obtained by scanning the anterior segment using slit light. In particular, it is possible to construct a three-dimensional image representing a slit light irradiation region that is a main observation target in slit lamp microscopy, and a region from the front of the cornea that is a main observation target of the anterior segment to the posterior surface of the crystalline lens. Can be constructed.

<Eighth embodiment>
In this embodiment, rendering of a three-dimensional image constructed in the third to seventh embodiments will be described.

  The data processing unit 8E illustrated in FIG. 14 includes a three-dimensional image construction unit 91 and a rendering unit 92. The 3D image construction unit 91 includes, for example, a 3D image construction unit 82 according to the third embodiment, a 3D image construction unit 84 according to the fourth embodiment, a 3D image construction unit 85 according to the fifth embodiment, and the sixth embodiment. The three-dimensional image construction unit 86 and the three-dimensional image construction unit 88 of the seventh embodiment may be used.

  The rendering unit 92 constructs a new image (rendered image) by rendering the three-dimensional image constructed by the three-dimensional image construction unit 91.

  Rendering can be any process, including, for example, three-dimensional computer graphics. Three-dimensional computer graphics is a three-dimensional image obtained by converting a virtual three-dimensional object (three-dimensional image such as stack data and volume data) in a three-dimensional space defined by a three-dimensional coordinate system into two-dimensional information. Is an arithmetic technique for creating

  Examples of rendering include volume rendering, maximum intensity projection (MIP), minimum intensity projection (MinIP), surface rendering, multi-section reconstruction (MPR), projection image construction, shadowgram construction, and the like. Further examples of rendering include reproduction of cross-sectional images obtained with a slit lamp microscope, formation of Scheinproof images, and the like. In addition, the rendering unit 92 may be able to execute any process applied together with such rendering.

  The rendering unit 92 can specify an area corresponding to a predetermined part in the three-dimensional image of the anterior eye part. For example, the rendering unit 92 can specify a region corresponding to the front surface of the cornea, a region corresponding to the rear surface of the cornea, a region corresponding to the front surface of the crystalline lens, a region corresponding to the rear surface of the crystalline lens, and the like. For such image region identification, for example, known image processing such as segmentation, edge detection, and threshold processing is applied.

  Note that the three-dimensional image is typically stack data or volume data. The designation of the cross section for the three-dimensional image is performed manually or automatically.

  When manually specifying the cross section of the three-dimensional image, the rendering unit 92 renders the three-dimensional image to construct a display image for manual cross-section specification. The display image is typically an image that represents the entire region to be observed, and represents, for example, a region from the front of the cornea to the back of the lens. Rendering to build a display image is typically volume rendering or surface rendering.

  The control unit 7 causes a display device (not shown) to display the display image constructed by the rendering unit 92. The user designates a desired cross section for the display image using an operation device such as a pointing device. Position information of the cross section designated in the display image is input to the rendering unit 92.

  Since the display image is a rendering image of a three-dimensional image, there is a trivial correspondence between the display image and the three-dimensional image. Based on this correspondence, the rendering unit 92 specifies the position of the cross section in the three-dimensional image corresponding to the position of the cross section specified in the display image. That is, the rendering unit 92 specifies a cross section for the three-dimensional image.

  Further, the rendering unit 92 can construct a three-dimensional partial image by cutting the three-dimensional image at the cross section. The rendering unit 92 can render an image for display by rendering the three-dimensional partial image. An example of such rendering, an example of a three-dimensional partial image, an example of a display image based on the three-dimensional partial image, and the like will be described later.

  When automatically specifying the cross section of the three-dimensional image, for example, the data processing unit 8E (for example, the rendering unit 92) analyzes the three-dimensional image and specifies a position or an area corresponding to a predetermined part of the anterior eye part. Can be. For example, it is possible to specify the front surface of the cornea, specify the vertex position of the front surface of the cornea, specify the rear surface of the crystalline lens, and specify the vertex position of the rear surface of the crystalline lens.

  In addition, the data processing unit 8E (for example, the rendering unit 92) can specify an image region corresponding to a predetermined part by applying segmentation to the three-dimensional image. For example, a two-dimensional region corresponding to the front surface of the cornea, a three-dimensional region corresponding to the cornea, a three-dimensional region corresponding to the crystalline lens, a three-dimensional region corresponding to the rear surface of the crystalline lens, a three-dimensional region corresponding to the anterior chamber, and the like may be specified. Is possible.

  The data processing unit 8E (for example, the rendering unit 92) can designate a cross section for the three-dimensional image based on the position and the area specified in this way. For example, a plane passing through the vertex position of the front surface of the cornea and the vertex position of the rear surface of the crystalline lens can be designated as a cross section, and a curved surface corresponding to the front surface of the crystalline lens can be designated as a cross section.

  An image that can be constructed by the rendering unit 92 when a cross section is designated for a three-dimensional image is not limited to a three-dimensional partial image. For example, when a cross section is designated for a three-dimensional image, the rendering unit 92 can construct a two-dimensional cross-sectional image representing the cross section. An example of such rendering, an example of a two-dimensional cross-sectional image, an example of a display image based on a two-dimensional cross-sectional image, and the like will be described later.

  Position information that can be specified for a three-dimensional image is not limited to a cross section that is a planar or curved two-dimensional area. Another example of position information that can be specified for a three-dimensional area is a slice. A slice is a three-dimensional region having a predetermined thickness, and is typically a flake having a uniform thickness.

  When a slice is designated for a three-dimensional image, the rendering unit 92 can construct a three-dimensional slice image corresponding to the slice. The rendering unit 92 can render an image for display by rendering the three-dimensional slice image. An example of such rendering, an example of a three-dimensional slice image, an example of a display image based on a three-dimensional slice image, and the like will be described later.

  The effects achieved by the present embodiment will be described.

  The present embodiment includes a rendering unit 92 that renders a three-dimensional image constructed by the three-dimensional image construction unit 91 to construct a rendered image. Accordingly, a rendering image based on the three-dimensional image constructed by the three-dimensional image construction unit 91 can be displayed, and a desired part of the anterior segment can be observed.

  The rendering method is arbitrary. For example, when a cross section is designated for a three-dimensional image, the rendering unit 92 can construct a three-dimensional partial image by cutting the three-dimensional image along the cross section. Thereby, while being able to observe the desired cross section of an anterior eye part, it is also possible to grasp | ascertain the three-dimensional form of an anterior eye part.

  In another example, when a section is specified for a three-dimensional image, the rendering unit 92 can construct a two-dimensional section image representing the section. Thereby, it is possible to observe a desired cross section of the anterior segment.

  In yet another example, when a slice is designated for a three-dimensional image, the rendering unit 92 can construct a three-dimensional slice image corresponding to the slice. Thereby, it is possible to observe a desired slice of the anterior segment.

<Ninth embodiment>
In the slit lamp microscopes according to the first to eighth embodiments, the illumination optical axis and the imaging optical axis make a predetermined angle, and the illumination system and the imaging system function as a Scheimpflug camera. An image obtained by such a slit lamp microscope is distorted. This distortion is typically a trapezoidal distortion.

  In the present embodiment, distortion correction will be described. This distortion correction is typically trapezoidal correction (keystone correction). Keystone correction is a well-known technique and is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-163465 (US Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0262163).

  As described above, in the anterior segment (that is, in the real space), the slit light irradiation area has a spread in the Z direction, and is typically defined in the YZ plane when the slit width is ignored. On the other hand, the optical axis of the photographing system is inclined in the X direction with respect to the optical axis of the illumination system that irradiates the slit light. Therefore, the imaging target region of the anterior eye portion is drawn larger as it approaches the surface of the eye to be examined, and smaller as it approaches the fundus. Therefore, (at least) trapezoidal distortion in the Z direction occurs.

  The data processing unit 8F shown in FIG. The distortion correction unit 93 can be combined with any of the first to eighth embodiments. The distortion correction unit 93 applies distortion correction to the anterior segment image acquired by the imaging system 3 (the left imaging system 30L and the right imaging system 30R).

  More specifically, the distortion correction unit 93 corrects distortion caused by the optical axis angle θ (θL, θR), which is the angle between the illumination optical axis 2a (20a) and the imaging optical axis 3a (30La, 30Ra). Processing (trapezoidal correction) for at least one of a plurality of images acquired by the imaging system 3 (30L, 30R) in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 2 (20) and the imaging system 3 (30L, 30R). Apply to one.

  The image to which the distortion correction is applied is not limited to the anterior eye image itself acquired by the imaging system 3 (30L, 30R), but is extracted from the anterior eye image acquired by the imaging system 3 (30L, 30R). It may be a slit light irradiation area or the like. Therefore, the slit light irradiation area may be extracted after correcting the distortion of the anterior eye image, and conversely, after extracting the slit light irradiation area from the anterior eye image, the distortion of the slit light irradiation area is corrected. May be.

  Further, like the “image group” in the third and fourth embodiments, the distortion of the anterior segment image selected from the anterior segment images acquired by the imaging system 3 (30L, 30R) is corrected. And correcting the distortion of the image obtained by processing the anterior eye image acquired by the imaging system 3 (30L, 30R). Therefore, the anterior ocular segment image may be selected and processed after correcting the anterior ocular segment image distortion, or the selected image or processed image distortion may be corrected after the anterior ocular segment image is selected or processed. Also good.

  In a typical embodiment, the slit lamp microscope includes the optical system shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 5, and the distortion in the YZ plane is corrected by the distortion correction unit 93.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the photographing optical axis 3a is in a first direction (Z direction) along the illumination optical axis 2a and a second direction (Y direction) along the longitudinal direction of the slit light with respect to the illumination optical axis 2a. They are arranged obliquely in a third direction (X direction) perpendicular to both. Here, the optical axis angle formed by the illumination optical axis 2a and the photographing optical axis 3a is an angle θ shown in FIG. The distortion correction unit 93 performs processing for correcting distortion in a plane (YZ plane) including both the first direction (Z direction) and the second direction (Y direction). Can be applied to images.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the left photographing optical axis 30La is in a first direction (Z direction) along the illumination optical axis 20a and a second direction (Y direction) along the longitudinal direction of the slit light with respect to the illumination optical axis 20a. Are inclined and arranged in a third direction (X direction) orthogonal to both of them. Here, the optical axis angle formed by the illumination optical axis 20a and the left photographing optical axis 30La is an angle θL shown in FIG. The distortion correction unit 93 performs processing for correcting distortion in a plane (YZ plane) including both the first direction (Z direction) and the second direction (Y direction) before being acquired by the left photographing optical axis 30La. It can be applied to the eye image.

  Similarly, the right photographing optical axis 30Ra is orthogonal to the illumination optical axis 20a in both a first direction (Z direction) along the illumination optical axis 20a and a second direction (Y direction) along the longitudinal direction of the slit light. It is arranged to be inclined in the third direction (X direction). Here, the optical axis angle formed by the illumination optical axis 20a and the right photographing optical axis 30Ra is an angle θR shown in FIG. The distortion correction unit 93 performs processing for correcting distortion in a plane (YZ plane) including both the first direction (Z direction) and the second direction (Y direction) before being acquired by the right imaging optical axis 30Ra. It can be applied to the eye image.

  A general trapezoidal correction is performed so that a trapezoidal shape obtained by distorting a rectangle is returned to an original rectangle. In the present embodiment, it is possible to apply such standard trapezoidal correction, but it may be effective to apply other keystone correction as described below.

  Generally, when observing an optical section of the anterior segment (that is, the slit light irradiation area) using a slit lamp microscope, the optical axis of the observation system (the observation optical axis) is compared with the optical axis of the illumination system (the illumination optical axis). ) Is tilted. Therefore, the user observes the light section extending in the Z direction from an oblique direction. At this time, the angle formed by the illumination optical axis and the observation optical axis (observation angle) is typically a predetermined value (for example, 17.5 degrees, 30 degrees, or 45 degrees). This default value is called a reference angle (α).

  A correction coefficient for distortion correction (trapezoidal correction) can be set based on the reference angle α and the optical axis angle β (θ, θL, θR). Correction coefficients are set for at least one reference angle α and at least one optical axis angle β (θ, θL, θR). Setting a correction coefficient for each combination of two or more reference angles and one optical axis angle, or setting a correction coefficient for each combination of one reference angle and two or more optical axis angles It is also possible to set a correction coefficient for each of combinations of two or more reference angles and two or more optical axis angles. Generally, it is possible to set a discrete or continuous correction coefficient C (α, β) with one or both of the reference angle α and the optical axis angle β as variables.

  The one or more correction coefficients C (α, β) set in this way are stored in the distortion correction unit 93. The distortion correction unit 93 can execute processing for correcting distortion based on the correction coefficient C (α, β).

  When the correction coefficient C (α, β) provides a plurality of values, the distortion correction unit 93 or the user specifies one or both of the reference angle α and the optical axis angle β. The distortion correction unit 93 applies a correction coefficient according to the designation result. Such a configuration is applied, for example, when a slit lamp microscope with a variable optical axis angle β is applied, and a table or a graph showing a plurality of correction coefficients in a variable range of the optical axis angle beta is prepared.

  Instead of preparing information indicating the correction coefficient, the following configuration can be applied. That is, the distortion correction unit of this example stores in advance a predetermined arithmetic expression for calculating the correction coefficient. Furthermore, the distortion correction unit of the present example receives the input of the reference angle α and / or the optical axis angle β, and calculates the correction coefficient by substituting this input value into an arithmetic expression. The distortion correction unit of this example performs distortion correction using the calculated correction coefficient.

  The effects achieved by the present embodiment will be described.

  This embodiment includes a distortion correction unit 93. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the distortion correction unit 93 is at least one of a plurality of images acquired by the imaging system 3 repeatedly capturing images in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 2 and the imaging system 3 by the moving mechanism 6. On the other hand, it is possible to apply processing for correcting distortion caused by the optical axis angle θ which is an angle formed by the optical axis 2a of the illumination system 2 and the optical axis 3a of the photographing system 3. The same applies to the case where the configuration shown in FIG. 5 or another configuration is adopted.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a suitable image in which distortion caused by the optical axis angle θ is corrected.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the optical axis 3 a of the optical system 4 included in the imaging system 3 is different from the optical axis 2 a of the illumination system 2 in a first direction (Z direction) along the optical axis 2 a of the illumination system 2. It is arranged to be inclined in a third direction (X direction) orthogonal to both the second direction (Y direction) along the longitudinal direction of the slit light. The distortion correction unit 93 can execute processing for correcting distortion in a plane (YZ plane) including both the first direction and the second direction. The same applies when the configuration shown in FIG. 5 or another configuration is adopted.

  According to such a configuration, trapezoidal distortion is generated on a plane including both the first direction and the second direction, but this can be corrected.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the distortion correction unit 93 stores in advance a correction coefficient C set based on a predetermined reference angle α and an optical axis angle θ. Based on the correction coefficient C, the distortion correction unit 93 can apply a process for correcting distortion caused by the optical axis angle θ to the image. The same applies when the configuration shown in FIG. 5 or another configuration is adopted.

<Tenth embodiment>
In the slit lamp microscopic examination, the size and shape of the tissue, the positional relationship between the tissues, and the like may be referred to. In this embodiment, the measurement for that is demonstrated.

  The data processing unit 8G shown in FIG. The measuring unit 94 can be combined with any of the first to ninth embodiments.

  When the measuring unit 94 is combined with the slit lamp microscope according to the first to ninth embodiments, the measuring unit 94 analyzes the anterior ocular segment image acquired by the anterior ocular segment scanning using the slit light, thereby performing a predetermined operation. Can be obtained.

  When the measuring unit 94 is combined with a slit lamp microscope capable of constructing a three-dimensional image, the measuring unit 94 analyzes the three-dimensional image constructed by the three-dimensional image constructing unit 82 (84, 85, 86, 88, 91). By doing so, a predetermined measurement value can be obtained.

  The measurement is performed, for example, with respect to parameters (thickness, diameter, area, volume, angle, shape, etc.) indicating the form of the tissue, and parameters (distance, direction, etc.) indicating the relationship between the tissues. The analysis for measurement includes, for example, segmentation for specifying the tissue or its outline.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to measure parameters effective for observation and diagnosis of the anterior segment.

  By combining the measurement unit 94 with the ninth embodiment that can perform distortion correction, measurement can be performed based on an image to which distortion correction has been applied. As a result, it is possible to improve measurement accuracy and measurement accuracy.

<Eleventh embodiment>
When the slit lamp microscope has a function of capturing a moving image of the anterior segment from a fixed position in parallel with the anterior segment scanning using slit light as in the moving image capturing system 40 of the second embodiment, the present embodiment relates to this embodiment. More functions can be added.

  The control unit 7A of the present embodiment includes a movement control unit 71, and the data processing unit 8H includes a motion detection unit 95. In addition, the present embodiment includes a moving image shooting system 40. The moving image capturing system 40 captures a moving image of the anterior segment from a fixed position in parallel with the anterior segment scan using slit light.

  The movement detecting unit 95 detects a movement of the eye E by analyzing a moving image acquired by the moving image capturing system 40. This motion detection is executed in parallel with the moving image photographing system 40.

  For example, the motion detecting unit 95 first analyzes frames sequentially input from the moving image capturing system 40 and specifies an image region corresponding to a predetermined portion. The predetermined part may typically be the center, the center of gravity, the contour, or the like of the pupil. The image area is specified based on the luminance information assigned to the pixel. The motion detection unit 95 can specify a low-luminance image region in the anterior eye image as a pupil region, and can specify the center of gravity or contour of the pupil region. Alternatively, the motion detection unit 95 can obtain an approximate circle or approximate ellipse of the pupil region and specify the center or outline thereof.

  As described above, the motion detection unit 95 sequentially obtains feature points in a frame input from the moving image capturing system 40. Furthermore, the motion detection unit 95 obtains a temporal change in the position of the feature points that are sequentially identified. Since the moving image capturing system 40 is fixedly arranged, the motion detector 95 can detect the motion of the eye E (in real time) by such processing.

  The movement control section 71 can control the movement mechanism 6 based on the output from the movement detection section 95. More specifically, the motion detection unit 95 sequentially inputs information indicating the temporal change in the position of the feature point in the frame sequentially input from the moving image capturing system 40 to the movement control unit 71. The movement control unit 71 controls the movement mechanism 6 according to information sequentially input from the motion detection unit 95. This movement control is executed so as to cancel the change in the alignment state caused by the movement of the eye E. Such an operation is called tracking.

  According to the present embodiment, when the subject's eye E moves during the anterior segment scan using the slit light, the alignment state is automatically corrected according to the movement. Thereby, it is possible to perform the anterior ocular segment scan using the slit light without being affected by the movement of the eye to be examined.

<Usage pattern>
An exemplary usage pattern of the slit lamp microscope according to the embodiment will be described. Here, the optical system shown in FIG. 5 is applied. Adjustment of the table, chair, chin rest, instruction to start shooting, alignment, etc. are performed as described above.

  First, as described in the sixth embodiment, the control unit 7 controls the rotation mechanism 62 so that the longitudinal direction of the slit light applied to the anterior eye matches the left-right direction (X direction). The left imaging system 30L or the right imaging system 30R captures the anterior eye part irradiated with the slit light in the direction.

  Thereby, the anterior ocular segment image H0 shown in FIG. 18 is obtained. The anterior segment image H0 includes a slit light irradiation region J0, which is a region irradiated with slit light whose longitudinal direction is the left-right direction (X direction).

  Note that both the left imaging system 30L and the right imaging system 30R may image the anterior eye part. In this case, an image obtained by photographing the slit light irradiation region from obliquely above and an image obtained from obliquely below are obtained.

  Next, the control unit 7 controls the rotation mechanism 62 so that the longitudinal direction of the slit light applied to the anterior eye matches the vertical direction (Y direction). The control unit 7 controls the illumination system 20, the left imaging system 30L, the right imaging system 30R, and the moving mechanism 6 so as to execute an anterior segment scan using slit light. That is, each of the left photographing system 30L and the right photographing system 30R repeatedly photographs the anterior eye portion of the eye E in parallel with the movement of the illumination system 20, the left photographing system 30L, and the right photographing system 30R by the moving mechanism 6. .

  Thereby, the left imaging system 30L acquires the first image group including the N anterior eye images HL1 to HLN shown in FIG. 19A, and the right imaging system 30R acquires the N anterior eye images shown in FIG. 19B. A second image group including HR1 to HRN is obtained. In the anterior ocular segment image HLn acquired by the left imaging system 30L, the slit light irradiation area JLn imaged obliquely from the left is depicted (n = 1, 2,..., N). In the anterior ocular segment image HRn acquired by the right imaging system 30R, the slit light irradiation area JRn imaged obliquely from the right is depicted (n = 1, 2,..., N).

  Here, it is assumed that the anterior eye image HLn and the anterior eye image HRn are associated with each other by the above-described image pairing (n = 1, 2,..., N). In actual anterior segment scanning, the number N of the left and right anterior segment images is set to 200 or more in consideration of the resolution of a three-dimensional image to be constructed later. The number N is arbitrary.

  FIG. 20 shows an anterior ocular segment image acquired by an actually performed anterior ocular segment scan. Each of these anterior segment images includes a slit light irradiation region presented with high brightness.

  Subsequently, the image region extracting unit 89 of the seventh embodiment (FIG. 13) extracts the slit light irradiation region JRn from the anterior eye image HLn, and extracts the slit light irradiation region JRn from the anterior eye image HRn. . FIG. 21A shows a plurality of slit light irradiation region images KL1 to KLN constructed from a plurality of anterior eye images HL1 to HLN, respectively. FIG. 21B shows a plurality of slit light irradiation region images KR1 to KRN constructed respectively from a plurality of anterior eye images HR1 to HRN.

  Next, by applying the processing according to the third embodiment or the fourth embodiment to the slit light irradiation area image KLn and the slit light irradiation area image KRn, a plurality of slit light irradiation area images that do not include artifacts can be obtained. . Each of the plurality of slit light irradiation area images K1 to KN illustrated in FIG. 22 does not include an artifact. The slit light irradiation area images K1 to KN include slit light irradiation areas J1 to JN, respectively.

  Subsequently, the distortion correction (trapezoid correction) described in the ninth embodiment is applied to each of the slit light irradiation region images K1 to KN. As a result, a plurality of slit light irradiation region images which do not include artifacts and whose distortion is corrected are obtained. Each of the plurality of slit light irradiation area images P1 to PN illustrated in FIG. 23 does not include an artifact. Further, the slit light irradiation area images P1 to PN include slit light irradiation areas Q1 to QN, respectively.

  Next, the image position determination unit 87 of the sixth embodiment determines the relative positions of the plurality of slit light irradiation area images P1 to PN based on the anterior eye image H0 shown in FIG. For example, the image position determination unit 87 determines the slit light irradiation area image P1 based on the image area corresponding to the front surface of the cornea (the curve with the smaller curvature radius in the slit light irradiation area J0) depicted in the anterior eye image H0. ~ PN. Thereby, the slit light irradiation area images P1 to PN are arranged in accordance with the curve of the front surface of the cornea.

  The three-dimensional image construction unit 86 according to the sixth embodiment constructs a three-dimensional image based on a plurality of slit light irradiation region images P1 to PN arranged in accordance with the curve of the front surface of the cornea. This three-dimensional image does not include artifacts, and the distortion is corrected.

  Subsequently, the data processing unit 8 determines the length (dimension in the Y direction) of the slit light projected on the anterior eye during the scanning of the anterior eye, and the moving distance (dimension in the X direction) of the slit light by the moving mechanism 6. , The aspect ratio of the three-dimensional image is corrected. As a result, the ratio between the dimension in the X direction and the dimension in the Y direction of the three-dimensional image is corrected.

  Next, the measurement unit 94 of the tenth embodiment analyzes a three-dimensional image to obtain a predetermined measurement value. Examples of measurement parameters include corneal anterior curvature, corneal anterior curvature radius, corneal posterior curvature, posterior corneal curvature radius, corneal diameter, corneal thickness, corneal topography, anterior chamber depth, corner angle, anterior lens curvature, anterior lens curvature radius, lens There are a back surface curvature, a lens back surface radius of curvature, a lens thickness, and the like.

  FIG. 24 shows a display image R0 obtained by performing volume rendering on a three-dimensional image actually obtained. Rendering is executed by the rendering unit 92 of the eighth embodiment. The control unit 7 displays the display image R0 on a display device (not shown). The display image R0 depicts a portion defined by the front surface of the cornea and the rear surface of the crystalline lens.

  The user can observe the display image R0 displayed on the display device and designate a desired cross section using an operation device (not shown). The dotted line shown in FIG. 25 indicates the position of the cross section designated by the user for the display image R0.

  The rendering unit 92 can construct a three-dimensional partial image by cutting the three-dimensional image at a section designated by the user. An image R1 shown in FIG. 26 is a display image obtained by rendering a three-dimensional partial image obtained by cutting the three-dimensional image at the cross section shown in FIG. This display image is also referred to as a three-dimensional partial image R1. The three-dimensional partial image R1 is an image that represents a three-dimensional region of the anterior eye segment with the cross section shown in FIG. 25 as a part of the outer surface.

  Further, the rendering unit 92 can construct a two-dimensional cross-sectional image representing a cross section specified by the user. An image R2 illustrated in FIG. 27 is a two-dimensional cross-sectional image obtained by cutting the three-dimensional image along the cross-section illustrated in FIG.

  The user can observe the display image R0 displayed on the display device and specify a desired slice using an operation device (not shown). The two dotted lines shown in FIG. 28 indicate the positions of the two cross sections that define the slice designated by the user for the display image R0. That is, a region sandwiched between these two cross sections is a slice designated by the user for the display image R0.

  The rendering unit 92 can construct a three-dimensional slice image corresponding to the slice specified by the user. An image R3 shown in FIG. 29 is a display image obtained by rendering a three-dimensional slice image obtained by cutting the three-dimensional image at the cross section shown in FIG. This display image is also referred to as a three-dimensional slice image R3. The three-dimensional slice image R3 is an image that represents a three-dimensional region of the anterior eye segment with two cross sections shown in FIG. 28 as a part of the outer surface.

  The user can grasp the state of the anterior segment by rendering a three-dimensional image and observing the outer surface or desired cross section of the anterior segment, or by performing the measurement of the tenth embodiment. Then, an interpretation report can be created.

<Twelfth embodiment>
In the present embodiment, an ophthalmologic system including an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus and an information processing apparatus will be described. The ophthalmologic photographing apparatus has at least a function as a slit lamp microscope. The slit lamp microscope included in the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus may be any one of the slit lamp microscopes according to the first to eleventh embodiments. Hereinafter, the elements, configurations, and reference numerals described in the first to eleventh embodiments will be appropriately applied.

  The ophthalmologic system 1000 illustrated in FIG. 30 has a communication path (communication line) 1100 that connects each of T facilities (first to T-th facilities) where ophthalmologic imaging is performed, the server 4000, and the remote terminal 5000m. It is built using

  Here, ophthalmologic imaging includes at least anterior segment imaging using a slit lamp microscope. This anterior segment imaging includes at least the anterior segment scanning using slit light described in the first to eleventh embodiments.

Each facility (the t Property: t = 1 to T, T is an integer of 1 or more), the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t (i t =} 1~K t, K t is an integer of 1 or more) is installed ing. This means that each property (the t facility), one or more ophthalmic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t} is installed. Ophthalmic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t} constitutes a part of an ophthalmic system 1000. Note that the ophthalmologic system 1000 may include an inspection apparatus capable of performing an inspection other than ophthalmology.

Ophthalmic imaging apparatus 2000-i _t of this embodiment is provided with both the function as a "computer" as a function of a "photographing apparatus" for implementing the imaging of the eye, to communicate with various data processing and an external apparatus I have. In another example, the imaging device and the computer can be provided separately. In this case, the imaging device and the computer may be configured to be able to communicate with each other. Further, the number of photographing devices and the number of computers are arbitrary, and for example, a single computer and a plurality of photographing devices can be provided.

"Imaging device" in the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t} comprises at least a slit lamp microscope. This slit lamp microscope may be any of the slit lamp microscopes of the first to eleventh embodiments, and includes at least the configuration of the first embodiment (FIG. 1) or the configuration of the second embodiment (FIG. 5).

  Further, at each facility (t-th facility), an information processing device (terminal 3000-t) that can be used by an assistant or a subject is installed. The terminal 3000-t is a computer used in the facility, and may be, for example, a mobile terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone, or a server installed in the facility. Furthermore, terminal 3000-t may include a wearable device such as a wireless earphone. It is sufficient that the terminal 3000-t is a computer capable of using the function in the facility, and may be, for example, a computer (cloud server or the like) installed outside the facility.

The ophthalmic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t} and the terminal 3000-t, and the network (Institutional LAN, etc.) built into the t facility, and a wide area network (Internet), communication using a short-range communication technology It may be configured to be able to do so.

Ophthalmic imaging apparatus 2000-i _t may have a function as a communication device such as a server. In this case, it is possible and ophthalmologic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t} and the terminal 3000-t is configured to communicate directly. Thus, it is possible to perform via an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t} a communication between the server 4000 and the terminal 3000-t, necessary to provide a function for communicating with the terminals 3000-t and the server 4000 Disappears.

The server 4000 is typically installed in a facility different from any of the first to T-th facilities, and is installed, for example, in a management center. The server 4000 can communicate with a remote terminal 5000m (m = 1 to M, M is an integer of 1 or more) via a network (LAN, wide area network, etc.). Additionally, server 4000, between at least some of the first to T facilities installed ophthalmic photographing apparatus 2000-i _t, can communicate via a wide area network.

Server 4000, for example, the function of relaying communication between the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t} and the remote terminal 5000 m, the function of recording the contents of the communication, which is acquired by the ophthalmic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t} data And a function of storing data and information acquired by the remote terminal 5000m. The server 4000 may have a data processing function.

Remote terminal 5000m is ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 2000-i subject's eye images obtained by the _t (more anterior segment image or the rendered image of the three-dimensional image based on these) and interpretation of available and reporting Including computers. The remote terminal 5000m may have a data processing function.

  The server 4000 will be described. The server 4000 illustrated in FIG. 31 includes a control unit 4010, a communication establishment unit 4100, and a communication unit 4200.

  The control unit 4010 controls each unit of the server 4000. The control unit 4010 may be able to execute other arithmetic processes. The control unit 4010 includes a processor. The control unit 4010 may further include a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, and the like.

  Control unit 4010 includes a communication control unit 4011 and a transfer control unit 4012.

The communication control unit 4011 executes control related to establishment of communication between a plurality of devices including a plurality of ophthalmologic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t} and a plurality of terminals 3000-t and a plurality of remote terminals 5000 m. For example, the communication control unit 4011 sends a control signal for establishing communication to each of two or more devices selected by the selection unit 4120 described later from among a plurality of devices included in the ophthalmic system 1000.

  The transfer control unit 4012 controls the exchange of information between two or more devices with which communication has been established by the communication establishment unit 4100 (and the communication control unit 4011). For example, the transfer control unit 4012 functions to transfer information transmitted from one of at least two devices whose communication has been established by the communication establishment unit 4100 (and the communication control unit 4011) to another device. To do.

As a specific example, if the communication between the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t} and the remote terminal 5000m is established, transfer control unit 4012, information transmitted from the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t} (e.g., a slit light A plurality of anterior segment images obtained by the used anterior segment scan or a three-dimensional image constructed based on these anterior segment images can be transferred to the remote terminal 5000m. Conversely, the transfer control unit 4012, information transmitted from the remote terminal 5000 m (e.g., instructions to the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t,} etc. interpretation report) can be transferred to the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t.}

  The transfer control unit 4012 may have a function of processing information received from a transmission source device. In this case, the transfer control unit 4012 can transmit at least one of the received information and the information obtained by the processing process to the transfer destination device.

For example, the transfer control unit 4012 can be transmitted to the remote terminal 5000m etc. by extracting a part of the information transmitted from the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t} like. The remote terminal information transmitted from the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 2000-i _t like (e.g., the anterior segment image or three-dimensional images) was analyzed by the server 4000, or other device, the analysis result (and original information) It may be transmitted at 5000 m or the like.

If multiple anterior segment image from the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 2000-i _t has been transmitted, the server 4000 or other device, to construct a 3-dimensional image from these anterior segment image (e.g., stack data or volume data), The transfer control unit 4012 can be configured to transmit the constructed three-dimensional image to the remote terminal 5000m.

If the stack data is transmitted from the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 2000-i _t, the server 4000 or another apparatus, to build a volume data from the stack data, the transfer control unit 4012, a volume data built in the remote terminal 5000m It can be configured to transmit.

  The data processing that can be executed by the server 4000 or another device is not limited to the example described above, and may include any data processing. For example, the server 4000 or another device may be capable of executing any of the processes described in the first to eleventh embodiments, such as rendering of a three-dimensional image, artifact removal, distortion correction, and measurement.

Communication establishing unit 4100 establishes communication between at least two devices selected from among a plurality of devices including a plurality of ophthalmologic imaging apparatus 2000-i _t and a plurality of terminals 3000-t and a plurality of remote terminals 5000m Execute the processing for performing. In this embodiment, “establishing communication” means, for example, (1) establishing one-way communication from a disconnected state, (2) establishing two-way communication from a disconnected state, This is a concept including at least one of (3) switching from a state where only reception is possible to a state where transmission is possible, and (4) switching from a state where only transmission is possible to a state where reception is possible.

  Further, the communication establishing unit 4100 can execute a process of disconnecting the established communication. In this embodiment, “disconnection of communication” means, for example, (1) disconnecting communication from a state where unidirectional communication is established, (2) disconnecting communication from a state where bidirectional communication is established, (3) Switching from a state where bidirectional communication is established to one-way communication, (4) Switching from a state where transmission and reception are possible to a state where only reception is possible, and (5) a state where transmission and reception are possible This is a concept including at least one of switching to a state in which only transmission is possible.

Ophthalmic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t,} the terminal 3000-t, and each of the remote terminals 5000 m, the other device communication request for calling (the user) and (call request), the communication between the other two devices At least one of a communication request (interrupt request) for interrupting can be transmitted to the server 4000. The call request and the interrupt request are transmitted manually or automatically. Server 4000 (communication unit 4200) receives ophthalmologic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t,} the terminal 3000-t, or the communication request transmitted from the remote terminal 5000 m.

In the present embodiment, the communication establishment unit 4100 may include a selection unit 4120. Selecting unit 4120, for example, the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t,} based on the terminal 3000-t, or communication request transmitted from the remote terminal 5000 m, ophthalmologic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t,} the terminal 3000-t, and the remote terminal One or more devices other than the device that transmitted the communication request are selected from 5000 m.

A specific example of processing executed by the selection unit 4120 will be described. Ophthalmologic photographing apparatus communication request from _{2000-i t} or terminals 3000-t (e.g., a request for interpretation of images acquired by the ophthalmic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t)} when subjected to the selection unit 4120, for example, a plurality of Select one of the remote terminals 5000m. Communication establishing unit 4100 establishes a remote terminal 5000m selected, the communication between at least one of the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t} and the terminal 3000-t.

  The selection of the device according to the communication request is performed based on, for example, a preset attribute. Examples of this attribute include the type of examination (for example, the type of imaging modality, the type of image, the type of disease, the type of candidate disease, etc.), the required degree of expertise / skill level, and the type of language. In order to realize the processing according to this example, the communication establishment unit 4100 may include a storage unit 4110 in which attribute information created in advance is stored. In the attribute information, attributes of the remote terminal 5000m and / or its user (doctor, optometry list, etc.) are recorded.

  The identification of the user is performed by a pre-assigned user ID. The remote terminal 5000m is identified by, for example, a device ID or network address assigned in advance. In a typical example, the attribute information includes, as attributes of each user, specialized fields (for example, medical departments, specialized diseases, etc.), expertise / skilledness, usable language types, and the like.

If the selection unit 4120 refers to the attribute information, the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t,} the terminal 3000-t, or the communication request transmitted from the remote terminal 5000m may include information about the attributes. For example, interpretation is transmitted from the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 2000-i _t request (i.e., diagnosis request) may include any information the following: (1) information indicating the type of imaging modality; (2) Image information indicating the type; (3) information indicating the disease name and candidate disease name; (4) information indicating the difficulty of interpretation; (5) the user of the ophthalmic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t} and / or the terminal 3000-t Information indicating the language used.

  When receiving such an image interpretation request, the selection unit 4120 can select any remote terminal 5000m based on the image interpretation request and the attribute information stored in the storage unit 4110. At this time, the selection unit 4120 collates the information regarding the attribute included in the interpretation request with the information recorded in the attribute information stored in the storage unit 4110. Thereby, the selection unit 4120 selects, for example, the remote terminal 5000m corresponding to the doctor (or optometer list) corresponding to any of the following attributes: (1) A doctor who specializes in the imaging modality; (2 A doctor who specializes in the image type; a doctor who specializes in the disease (candidate disease); a doctor who can interpret the difficulty; and a doctor who can use the language.

  Note that the association between the doctor or the optometry list and the remote terminal 5000m is made based on, for example, a user ID input when logging in to the remote terminal 5000m (or the ophthalmic system 1000).

The communication unit 4200, other devices (e.g., ophthalmic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t,} the terminal 3000-t, and one of the remote terminal 5000 m) performs data communication with. For scheme and encryption of the data communication may be similar to the communication unit provided in the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 2000-i _t (communication unit 9 of the first embodiment).

The server 4000 includes a data processing unit 4300. The data processing unit 4300 executes various types of data processing. The data processing unit 4300 is capable of processing a plurality of anterior segment image or a three-dimensional image obtained by the ophthalmic photographing apparatus 2000-i t _(in particular, slit lamp microscope). The data processing unit 4300 includes a processor, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, and the like. A data processing program or the like is stored in the auxiliary storage device. The function of the data processing unit 4300 is realized by cooperation of software such as a data processing program and hardware such as a processor.

  Data processing unit 4300 includes data processing unit 8, data processing unit 8A (image selection unit 81, three-dimensional image construction unit 82), data processing unit 8B (artifact removal unit 83, three-dimensional image construction unit 84), data processing unit 8C (3D image construction unit 85), data processing unit 8D (3D image construction unit 86, image position determination unit 87), 3D image construction unit 88 (image area extraction unit 89, image synthesis unit 90), data processing It may include at least one of the unit 8E (the three-dimensional image construction unit 91, the rendering unit 92), the data processing unit 8F (the distortion correction unit 93), and the data processing unit 8G (the measurement unit 94). .

The server 4000 can provide the data obtained by the data processing unit 4300 to other devices. For example, if the data processing unit 4300 to construct a 3-dimensional image from the acquired plurality of anterior segment image by the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t,} server 4000, the communication unit 4200, a remote terminal the three-dimensional image 5000 m. Data processing unit 4300, when rendering a three-dimensional image constructed by the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus _{2000-i t} or the data processing unit 4300, the server 4000, transmitted by the communication unit 4200, a rendering image built remote terminal 5000m can do. When the data processing unit 4300 applies measurement processing to one or more anterior segment images or three-dimensional images, the server 4000 can transmit the obtained measurement data to the remote terminal 5000m by the communication unit 4200. When the data processing unit 4300 applies distortion correction to one or more anterior segment images or three-dimensional images, the server 4000 can transmit the corrected image to the remote terminal 5000m through the communication unit 4200.

  Subsequently, the remote terminal 5000m will be described. The remote terminal 5000m illustrated in FIG. 32 includes a control unit 5010, a data processing unit 5100, a communication unit 5200, and an operation unit 5300.

  The control unit 5010 controls each unit of the remote terminal 5000m. The control unit 5010 may be able to execute other arithmetic processes. The control unit 5010 includes a processor, RAM, ROM, hard disk drive, solid state drive, and the like.

  The control unit 5010 includes a display control unit 5011. The display control unit 5011 controls the display device 6000m. Display device 6000m may be included in remote terminal 5000m or may be a peripheral device connected to remote terminal 5000m. The display control unit 5011 displays an image of the anterior segment of the eye E on the display device 6000m. Examples of anterior eye images include slit images, Scheinproof images, 3D rendering images, front images, images of other modalities (OCT images, etc.), images representing measurement results, and images representing analysis results. and so on.

  The control unit 5010 includes a report creation control unit 5012. The report creation control unit 5012 executes various controls for creating a report related to information displayed by the display control unit 5011. For example, the report creation control unit 5012 displays a screen for creating a report and a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display device 6000m. In addition, the report creation control unit 5012 inputs information input by the user, an anterior ocular segment image, measurement data, analysis data, and the like into a predetermined report template.

<Data processing unit 5100>
The data processing unit 5100 executes various data processing. The data processing unit 5100 is capable of processing a plurality of anterior segment image or a three-dimensional image obtained by the ophthalmic photographing apparatus 2000-i t _(in particular, slit lamp microscope). Further, the data processing unit 5100 can process a three-dimensional image or a rendered image constructed by another information processing apparatus such as the server 4000. The data processing unit 5100 includes a processor, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, and the like. A data processing program or the like is stored in the auxiliary storage device. The function of the data processing unit 5100 is realized by cooperation of software such as a data processing program and hardware such as a processor.

  The data processing unit 5100 includes a data processing unit 8, a data processing unit 8A (image selection unit 81, three-dimensional image construction unit 82), a data processing unit 8B (artifact removal unit 83, three-dimensional image construction unit 84), and a data processing unit. 8C (3D image construction unit 85), data processing unit 8D (3D image construction unit 86, image position determination unit 87), 3D image construction unit 88 (image area extraction unit 89, image synthesis unit 90), data processing It may include at least one of the unit 8E (the three-dimensional image construction unit 91, the rendering unit 92), the data processing unit 8F (the distortion correction unit 93), and the data processing unit 8G (the measurement unit 94). .

The communication unit 5200, other devices (e.g., ophthalmic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t,} the terminal 3000-t, and one of the servers 4000) performs data communication with. For scheme and encryption of the data communication may be similar to the communication unit of the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus 2000-i _t.

  The operation unit 5300 is used for operating the remote terminal 5000m, inputting information to the remote terminal 5000m, and the like. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 5300 is used to create a report. The operation unit 5300 includes an operation device and an input device. The operation unit 5300 includes, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a trackball, an operation panel, a switch, a button, a dial, and the like. The operation unit 5300 may include a touch screen.

  The effects achieved by the present embodiment will be described.

Ophthalmic system 1000 includes a one or more slit lamp microscope (ophthalmic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t)} and one or more information processing apparatus (server 4000 and / or remote terminal 5000 m). The information processing apparatus is connected to the slit lamp microscope via a communication line, and processes an anterior eye image of the eye to be inspected acquired by the slit lamp microscope.

Slit lamp microscope (ophthalmic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t)} includes an illumination system, an imaging system, and a moving mechanism. The illumination system irradiates slit light to the anterior segment of the eye to be examined. The imaging system includes an optical system that guides light from the anterior segment irradiated with slit light, and an imaging element that receives light guided by the optical system on an imaging surface. The moving mechanism includes a moving mechanism that moves the illumination system and the photographing system. The object surface along the optical axis of the illumination system, the optical system, and the imaging surface satisfy the Scheimpflug condition. The imaging system acquires a plurality of images of the anterior segment by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system and the imaging system by the moving mechanism.

Slit lamp illumination system and imaging system of the microscope (ophthalmic imaging apparatus 2000-i _t) may be configured to focus at least the anterior corneal surface and the imaging system at a site defined by the lens rear surface fit.

  The illumination system may be configured to irradiate the anterior eye with slit light whose longitudinal direction is the body axis direction of the subject. In this case, the moving mechanism may be configured to move the illumination system and the imaging system in a direction orthogonal to the body axis direction.

  The length of the slit light may be set to be equal to or larger than the corneal diameter in the body axis direction. In addition, the moving distance of the illumination system and the imaging system by the moving mechanism may be set to be greater than or equal to the corneal diameter in the direction orthogonal to the body axis direction.

  According to this embodiment having such a configuration, at least the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, any matter such as the configuration, elements, functions, operations, and effects described in the first embodiment can be applied to this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the imaging system of the slit lamp microscope (ophthalmic imaging apparatus 2000-i _t) may include a first imaging system and the second imaging system. The first imaging system includes a first optical system that guides light from the anterior segment irradiated with slit light, and a first imaging element that receives light guided by the first optical system on a first imaging surface. Including. Further, the first imaging system acquires the first image group by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system and the imaging system. The second imaging system includes: a second optical system that guides light from the anterior segment irradiated with slit light; and a second imaging element that receives light guided by the second optical system on the second imaging surface. Including. Furthermore, the second imaging system acquires the second image group by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system and the imaging system. The optical axis of the first optical system and the optical axis of the second optical system are arranged in different directions. In addition, the object surface, the first optical system, and the first imaging surface satisfy the Scheimpflug condition, and the object surface, the second optical system, and the second imaging surface satisfy the Scheinproof condition.

  The optical system included in the imaging system may include a reflector and one or more lenses. The reflector is configured to reflect light from the anterior segment irradiated with slit light and traveling in a direction away from the optical axis of the illumination system in a direction approaching the optical axis of the illumination system. Be placed. The one or more lenses are configured and arranged to image light reflected by the reflector on the imaging surface.

  According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, at least the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained. In addition, any matter such as the configuration, elements, functions, operations, and effects described in the second embodiment can be applied to this embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the optical axis of the first optical system and the optical axis of the second optical system may be arranged to be inclined in directions opposite to each other with respect to the optical axis of the illumination system. Furthermore, the information processing apparatus (the server 4000 and / or the remote terminal 5000m) determines whether any of the two images acquired substantially simultaneously by the first imaging system and the second imaging system includes an artifact, An image selection unit that selects the other image when it is determined that the artifact is included in one of the two images may be included.

  The information processing device (the server 4000 and / or the remote terminal 5000m) constructs a three-dimensional image based on an image group including images selected from the first image group and the second image group by the image selection unit. An image construction unit may be included.

  According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, at least the same effects as those of the third embodiment can be obtained. In addition, any matter such as the configuration, elements, functions, operations, and effects described in the third embodiment can be applied to this embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus (the server 4000 and / or the remote terminal 5000m) compares the two images acquired at substantially the same time by the first imaging system and the second imaging system to compare these two images. The image processing apparatus may include an artifact removal unit that determines whether any of the two images includes the artifact, and removes the artifact when it is determined that any of these two images includes the artifact.

  Further, the information processing device (the server 4000 and / or the remote terminal 5000m) may include a three-dimensional image construction unit that constructs a three-dimensional image based on an image group including images from which artifacts have been removed by the artifact removal unit. .

  According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, at least the same effects as those of the fourth embodiment can be obtained. In addition, any matter such as the configuration, elements, functions, operations, and effects described in the fourth embodiment can be applied to this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus (server 4000 and / or remote terminal 5000 m), the three-dimensional building a three-dimensional image based on a plurality of images obtained by a slit lamp microscope (ophthalmic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t)} An image construction unit may be included.

  According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, at least the same effects as in the fifth embodiment can be obtained. In addition, any matter such as the configuration, elements, functions, operations, and effects described in the fifth embodiment can be applied to this embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the moving mechanism may include a rotating mechanism that integrally rotates the illumination system and the imaging system with the optical axis of the illumination system as a rotation axis. Further, when the illumination system and the imaging system are arranged at the first rotation position, the imaging system acquires a plurality of images, and the illumination system and the imaging system are arranged at a second rotation position different from the first rotation position. In this case, the photographing system can acquire an image of the anterior segment that is irradiated with the slit light by the illumination system. In addition, the three-dimensional image construction unit may include an image position determination unit that determines the relative positions of the plurality of images based on the image acquired at the second rotation position.

  According to this embodiment having such a configuration, at least the same effects as in the sixth embodiment can be obtained. In addition, any matter such as the configuration, elements, functions, operations, and effects described in the sixth embodiment can be applied to this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the three-dimensional image constructing unit from each of the plurality of images acquired by the slit lamp microscope (ophthalmic imaging apparatus 2000-i _t), the image area to extract an image area corresponding to the irradiation area of the slit light The image processing apparatus may include an extracting unit and an image combining unit that combines a plurality of image regions extracted from the plurality of images by the image region extracting unit to construct a three-dimensional image.

Image region extracting unit extracts from each of the plurality of images acquired by the slit lamp microscope (ophthalmic imaging apparatus 2000-i _t), the image area corresponding to both the predetermined portion of the irradiated region and the anterior segment of the slit light May be configured.

  The predetermined site may be a site defined by the anterior corneal surface and the posterior lens surface.

  According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, at least the same effects as in the seventh embodiment can be obtained. In addition, any matter such as the configuration, elements, functions, operations, and effects described in the seventh embodiment can be applied to this embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the information processing device (the server 4000 and / or the remote terminal 5000m) may include a rendering unit that renders a three-dimensional image to construct a rendered image.

  When a section is designated for the three-dimensional image, the rendering unit can cut the three-dimensional image at the section to construct a three-dimensional partial image.

  When a section is designated for a three-dimensional image, the rendering unit can construct a two-dimensional section image representing the section.

  When a slice is designated for a three-dimensional image, the rendering unit can construct a three-dimensional slice image corresponding to the slice.

  According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, at least the same effects as in the eighth embodiment can be obtained. In addition, any matter such as the configuration, elements, functions, operations, and effects described in the eighth embodiment can be applied to this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus (the server 4000 and / or the remote terminal 5000m) performs a process for correcting distortion caused by an optical axis angle that is an angle formed between the optical axis of the illumination system and the optical axis of the imaging system. and it may include a distortion correction unit to apply to at least one of the acquired plurality of images by slit lamp microscope (ophthalmic imaging apparatus 2000-i _t).

  The optical axis of the optical system included in the imaging system is a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction along the optical axis of the illumination system and the second direction along the longitudinal direction of the slit light with respect to the optical axis of the illumination system. May be arranged at an angle. In this case, the distortion correction unit can execute processing for correcting distortion in a plane including both the first direction and the second direction.

  The distortion correction unit stores in advance a correction coefficient set based on a predetermined reference angle and an optical axis angle, and is configured to execute processing for correcting distortion based on the correction coefficient. Good.

  According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, at least the same effects as in the ninth embodiment can be obtained. In addition, any matter such as the configuration, elements, functions, operations, and effects described in the ninth embodiment can be applied to this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus (server 4000 and / or remote terminal 5000 m), by analyzing at least one of a plurality of images obtained by a slit lamp microscope (ophthalmic imaging apparatus _{2000-i t)} It may include a first measurement unit for obtaining a predetermined measurement value.

  In the present embodiment, the information processing device (the server 4000 and / or the remote terminal 5000m) includes a second measurement unit that obtains a predetermined measurement value by analyzing the three-dimensional image constructed by the three-dimensional image construction unit. May be included.

  According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, at least the same effects as those of the tenth embodiment can be obtained. In addition, any matter such as the configuration, elements, functions, operations, and effects described in the tenth embodiment can be applied to this embodiment.

In this embodiment, a slit lamp microscope (ophthalmic imaging apparatus 2000-i _t) may comprise a video recording system for video shooting from a fixed position anterior segment in parallel with the acquisition of the plurality of images by imaging system.

Furthermore, a slit lamp microscope (ophthalmic imaging apparatus 2000-i _t) analyzes the moving image acquired by the moving image capturing system may comprise a motion detector for detecting a movement of the eye.

In addition, a slit lamp microscope (ophthalmic imaging apparatus 2000-i _t) may include a movement control unit for controlling the moving mechanism based on the output from the movement detecting unit.

  According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, at least the same effects as those of the eleventh embodiment can be obtained. In addition, any matter such as the configuration, elements, functions, operations, and effects described in the eleventh embodiment can be applied to this embodiment.

<Other matters>
The embodiment described above is merely a typical example of the present invention. Therefore, arbitrary modifications (omitted, replacement, addition, etc.) within the scope of the present invention can be made as appropriate.

  It is possible to configure a program that causes a computer to execute processing according to any one or a combination of any two or more of the first to twelfth embodiments. Further, a program for causing a computer to execute a process realized by applying any modification within the scope of the present invention to any one or a combination of any two or more of the first to twelfth embodiments Can be configured.

  Further, it is possible to create a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium recording such a program. This non-temporary recording medium may be in any form, and examples thereof include a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a semiconductor memory.

  The present invention includes a method realized by any one or a combination of any two or more of the first to twelfth embodiments. The present invention also includes a method realized by applying any modification within the scope of the present invention to any one or a combination of any two or more of the first to twelfth embodiments. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slit lamp microscope 2 Illumination system 3 Imaging system 4 Optical system 5 Image sensor 6 Moving mechanism 7 Control system 8 Data processing part 9 Communication part

Claims (8)

An illumination system for irradiating slit light to the anterior segment of the eye to be examined;
An imaging system including an optical system that guides light from the anterior segment irradiated with the slit light, and an imaging device that receives the light guided by the optical system on an imaging surface;
A moving mechanism for moving the illumination system and the imaging system,
The object surface along the optical axis of the illumination system, the optical system, and the imaging surface satisfy the Scheimpflug condition,
The imaging system acquires a plurality of images of the anterior eye portion by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system and the imaging system by the moving mechanism,
A slit lamp microscope, comprising: a moving image photographing system for photographing the anterior eye portion from a fixed position in parallel with the acquisition of the plurality of images by the photographing system. The slit lamp microscope according to claim 1, further comprising a motion detection unit that detects a motion of the eye to be examined by analyzing a moving image acquired by the moving image capturing system. The slit lamp microscope according to claim 2, further comprising a movement control unit that controls the movement mechanism based on an output from the movement detection unit. The slit lamp microscope according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit configured to transmit an image acquired for the anterior eye to an information processing apparatus. A slit lamp microscope,
An information processing apparatus that is connected to the slit lamp microscope via a communication line, and that processes an image of the anterior segment of the subject's eye acquired by the slit lamp microscope;
The slit lamp microscope is
An illumination system for irradiating slit light to the anterior segment of the eye to be examined;
An imaging system including an optical system that guides light from the anterior segment irradiated with the slit light, and an imaging device that receives the light guided by the optical system on an imaging surface;
A moving mechanism for moving the illumination system and the imaging system,
The object surface along the optical axis of the illumination system, the optical system, and the imaging surface satisfy the Scheimpflug condition,
The imaging system acquires a plurality of images of the anterior eye portion by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement of the illumination system and the imaging system by the moving mechanism,
The slit lamp microscope includes a moving image photographing system for photographing a moving image of the anterior eye portion from a fixed position in parallel with the acquisition of the plurality of images by the photographing system. The imaging system of the slit lamp microscope is
A first optical system that guides light from the anterior segment irradiated with the slit light, and a first imaging element that receives the light guided by the first optical system on a first imaging surface; A first imaging system for acquiring a first image group by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement;
A second optical system that guides light from the anterior segment irradiated with the slit light, and a second imaging element that receives the light guided by the second optical system on a second imaging surface; A second imaging system that acquires a second image group by repeatedly performing imaging in parallel with the movement, and
The optical axis of the first optical system and the optical axis of the second optical system are arranged in different directions,
The object surface, the first optical system, and the first imaging surface satisfy a Scheimpflug condition, and the object surface, the second optical system, and the second imaging surface satisfy a Scheimpflug condition. The ophthalmic system according to claim 5. The ophthalmic system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the slit lamp microscope includes a motion detection unit that detects a motion of the eye to be examined by analyzing a moving image acquired by the moving image photographing system. The ophthalmic system according to claim 7, wherein the slit lamp microscope includes a movement control unit that controls the movement mechanism based on an output from the motion detection unit.

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