JP2020195703A - Ophthalmologic imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow a corner tissue to be excellently observed through an image.SOLUTION: An ophthalmologic apparatus 1 comprises at least: a second prism 140B; an imaging optical system 100; and a control unit 80. The second prism 140B is utilized to compress an eye ball of a subject eye as a compression part. The imaging optical system 100 captures a corner image being an image of a corner region of the subject eye E. The control unit 80 controls the imaging optical system 100 to capture the corner image in a state where the eye ball is compressed by the second prism 140B with the level of the load at which the corner region moves. With the corner image that is captured in this way, the corner tissue can be excellently observed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2B

Description

The present invention relates to an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus.

In the diagnosis of glaucoma, it is useful to observe the tissue of the anterior chamber angle of the eye to be examined (hereinafter, simply referred to as "angle"). For example, conventionally, the feature portion in the surface tissue of the angle has been visually observed through the gonio lens. Characteristic parts include trabecular meshwork, Schwalbe line, scleral spur, ciliary band, iris, lesion and the like. Further, in recent years, an apparatus has been proposed for capturing an image that has been conventionally observed with the naked eye through a gonio lens or the like as a two-dimensional image (see Patent Document 1).

Further, as the angle examination, a static examination for observing the angle without pressing the eyeball and a dynamic examination for observing the angle with the eyeball pressed are known. If it is confirmed that the angle is narrow by visual observation by static examination, further dynamic examination is performed. Organic obstruction of the angle (with adhesions and no observation of the angle base) and functional obstruction are distinguished by whether or not the angle widens with compression.

Special table 2017-571362

The present inventor has studied a device configuration suitable for dynamic inspection.

The present disclosure has been made in view of at least one of the problems of the prior art, and a technical subject is to better observe the angle structure through an image.

The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a compression means for compressing the eyeball of the eye to be inspected, an imaging optical system for capturing an angle image which is an image of the angle region of the eye to be inspected. The eyeball is compressed by the compression means with a load such that the angle region moves, and the imaging optical system is controlled to capture the angle image.

According to the present disclosure, the angle tissue can be better observed through the image.

It is a schematic diagram which showed the schematic structure of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus in an Example. The photographing optical system in the embodiment shows a state in which the first prism is attached (corresponding to the first mode). The photographing optical system in the embodiment shows a state in which the second prism is attached (corresponding to the second mode). It is a figure which showed the control system of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus in an Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation of the apparatus in an Example. This is an example of a display mode of the shooting result.

"Overview"
Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described focusing on an embodiment of an ophthalmologic imaging apparatus (see FIG. 1). The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment photographs the angle region of the eye to be inspected. In the present embodiment, the image of the corner region is referred to as a corner image.

The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus may include an imaging unit (see FIG. 1) and a control unit. In addition, the ophthalmologic imaging device may include some or all of a moving mechanism, an operating input unit, and a sensor.

The angle image taken by the ophthalmologic photographing apparatus may be, for example, a reflected image (see FIG. 5) formed (photographed) based on the reflected light from the angle region. The angle region may be an region including the angle of the eye to be inspected and its vicinity. The angle image taken by the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus may be a front image of the angle region. In this case, the surface texture of the angle is observed through the angle image. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the angle image may be a cross-sectional image of the angle region. In this case, the cross section of the angle is observed through the angle image. In this case, the photographing unit may be an OCT or a Scheimpflug camera.

<Shooting unit>
In the present embodiment, the photographing unit has at least a photographing optical system and a compression portion.

<Shooting optical system>
The photographing optical system (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) is the main optical system used for capturing an angle image. In the present embodiment, the photographing optical system is formed by the irradiation optical system and the light receiving optical system.

The irradiation optical system projects light (for example, illumination light) into the corner region of the eye to be inspected. Further, the light receiving optical system has a light receiving element, and the return light from the corner region is received by the light receiving element. The angle image is acquired (photographed) based on the signal from the light receiving element.

When a frontal image is taken as a corner image, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a line in which the illumination light and the return light divide the angle formed by the cornea and the iris in the eye to be examined (hereinafter, “angle division”). Light is emitted and received along a line).

In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the shooting range of one angle image is assumed to be a part of the entire circumference of the angle. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the shooting range may cover the entire circumference of the corner. The shooting range refers to, for example, a corner area that is shot (imaged) based on the input of one shooting trigger.

The wavelength range of the light projected from the irradiation optical system can be appropriately determined. For example, it may be visible light or invisible light (for example, infrared light). Further, it may be monochromatic light or multicolored light.

The light receiving optical system has at least a light receiving element that receives the reflected light from the angle region. When a front image is taken as a corner image, the light receiving element may be a two-dimensional light receiving element having a two-dimensional light receiving surface. The two-dimensional light receiving element captures an image of the angle formed on the light receiving surface as a corner image. The image data of the angle image may be stored in the storage device of the device or displayed on the monitor.

The photographing optical system is not necessarily limited to the one provided with the two-dimensional light receiving element. For example, the photographing optical system may be a line scan or a two-dimensional scan type optical system. Depending on the scanning method, a line sensor and a point light receiving element can be appropriately used as the light receiving element. Further, in this case, by scanning the light with respect to the photographing range (line scan or two-dimensional scan), the image data of the angle image may be generated based on the received signal of the return light for each scan.

The image data of the corner image may be an upright image in which the top, bottom, left, and right of the image and the top, bottom, left, and right of the subject in the image match, or may be a mirror image or an inverted image with respect to the upright image. That is, the image may be inverted with respect to the upright image.

The irradiation optical system and the light receiving optical system may have a shooting position switching unit for changing the shooting position. The shooting position referred to here is the position of the shooting range within the entire circumference of the corner. By switching the shooting position by the shooting position switching unit and performing repeated shooting, the entire circumference of the angle may be shot by a plurality of shootings. The imaging position switching unit may have, for example, a configuration shown in an embodiment described later. Alternatively, at least one of the optical scanner, the optometry optical system, and the alignment adjustment unit may be used as the imaging position switching unit.

The photographing optical system may be provided with an objective optical system. The objective optical system is arranged closest to the eye to be inspected in the photographing optical system, and bends the light emitted to the eye to be inspected or the return light. The objective optical system may be a reflection system or a refraction system (for example, a lens system) based on either a mirror or a prism.

<Compression part>
The compression section is used to compress the eyeball of the eye to be inspected. The compression portion may be a member that presses the cornea in contact with the cornea. Further, the compression portion may be a unit that presses the cornea without contacting the eye to be inspected. In this case, the compression portion may press the cornea in a non-contact manner by injecting a fluid (gas and liquid) or ultrasonic waves onto the cornea. At this time, the load applied from the compression portion to the eye to be inspected can be appropriately set within a range in which the angle of the corner moves with the compression.

In the imaging unit, the portion close to the cornea of the eye to be inspected is referred to as the tip portion. At least the compression portion includes a tip portion. The tip portion may be an optical element that forms a part of the objective optical portion. For example, it may be the surface of the objective optical unit on the side to be inspected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the tip portion may be separate from the objective optical portion.

The imaging position of the angle region in the imaging optical system with respect to the desired angle region is displaced between the case where the eye to be inspected is photographed without compression and the case where the eye to be inspected is photographed in a compressed state. It is possible that it will end up. In particular, when the tip portion is a part of the objective optical portion, such displacement is likely to occur. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the displacement of the imaging position in the angle region in the photographing optical system can be corrected by driving (moving) one or a plurality of optical elements included in the photographing optical system. There may be. For example, the position of the imaging surface or its conjugate position may be displaceable by driving the optical element. The driving unit that drives the optical element may, for example, displace the position of the optical element or insert or remove the optical element from the optical path. More specifically, the image sensor in the image pickup optical system may be moved by the drive unit, or the lens, mirror, or the like in the middle may be moved.

When the compression portion comes into contact with the cornea, the entire compression portion or at least the tip portion of the compression portion may be detachable from the imaging unit. This facilitates cleaning and sterilization of areas that come into contact with the cornea. In this case, between the first tip portion, which is the tip portion for photographing the eye to be inspected without compression, and the second tip portion, which is the tip portion for photographing the eye to be inspected in a compressed state. , The tip attached to the photographing unit may be replaceable (see FIGS. 2A and 2B).

When the first tip portion and the second tip portion are optical elements forming a part of the objective optical portion that can be exchanged and attached to the objective optical portion, the first tip portion and the second tip portion The optical features may be different from each other. For example, when the first tip portion and the second tip portion are exchanged to capture the image formation position of the angle region in the imaging optical system without compression of the eye to be inspected (first imaging mode described later). It may have a feature that it does not displace between the case where the image is taken with the eye to be inspected pressed (second imaging mode described later). In this case, the displacement need not be zero. For example, when the photographing optical system has a two-dimensional light receiving element, the first tip portion and the second tip portion are the corner angles in the photographing optical system regardless of which of the first tip portion and the second tip portion is attached. The imaging position of the region may be set on the light receiving surface of the two-dimensional light receiving element. In this case, the angle region can be satisfactorily photographed in both the case where the eye to be inspected is photographed without compression and the case where the eye to be inspected is photographed in a state of being compressed.

In addition, the ophthalmologic imaging device may be able to detect which of the first tip and the second tip is worn. For example, a sensor that distinguishes and detects the type of the tip portion may be provided at the mounting location of the tip portion. Further, an index corresponding to the type of the tip portion may be provided on the optical path of the light cast and received from the photographing unit at the tip portion. The type of the tip portion may be detected by photographing the index and discriminating the index included in the image.

<Movement mechanism>
The moving mechanism moves at least a part of the photographing unit in the backward direction according to the load by applying a load in the backward direction to the tip portion.

For convenience, in the following, the portion of the photographing unit that is retracted by the moving mechanism will be referred to as a "movable portion". When the movable portion is a part of the photographing unit, the movable portion may include at least a tip portion. Further, when the photographing optical system includes a telecentric optical system, the member on the side to be inspected from the boundary may be displaceable as a movable portion with the portion where the luminous flux is telecentric as a boundary. Of course, not limited to this, a part of the optical system may be moved as a movable part.

When the tip comes into contact with the eye to be inspected, the force momentarily applied from the tip to the eye to be inspected is reduced by moving the movable part by the moving mechanism. The backward direction referred to here is a direction away from the eye to be inspected. Further, the direction opposite to the backward direction is referred to as a forward direction.

As the moving mechanism, any one of various mechanisms can be selectively applied. For example, the moving mechanism may be a slide mechanism provided with a rail, a mechanism provided with a sliding screw (feed screw), or another mechanism. The moving mechanism may include a driving unit for driving and controlling the moving unit based on the control signal.

<Control unit>
The control unit controls the operation of the ophthalmologic imaging device. The control unit controls at least the photographing unit (see FIG. 3). Further, the control unit may control the movement mechanism.

In the present embodiment, the control unit captures an angle image with the eye to be inspected pressed by the compression unit. Therefore, the examiner can observe the state of the corner angle at the time of compression, which was conventionally observed with the naked eye through the compression angle mirror, through the angle angle image.

<Mode switching>
The control unit may switch the shooting mode between the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode. The first imaging mode is set to capture an angle image without compressing the eye to be inspected by the compression portion. The second imaging mode is set to capture an angle image while the eye to be inspected is compressed by the compression portion. Between the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode, the control unit is at least one of the switching control of the shooting optical system, the alignment control, the drive control of the movable part in the front-rear direction at the time of shooting, the shooting control, and the like. Either may be changed.

<Switching control of shooting optical system>
An imaging optical system for a desired angle region between the first imaging mode (when the subject's eye is photographed without compression) and the second imaging mode (when the subject's eye is photographed with compression). If the imaging position of the angle region in the above is displaced, the control unit may correct it by driving (moving) one or a plurality of optical elements included in the photographing optical system.

<Drive control of moving parts in each mode>
For example, when the tip touches and compresses the cornea of the eye to be inspected (at least in the second imaging mode), the drive control of the movable portion in the anteroposterior direction is changed between the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode. May be done. At this time, the fundus photography device may be provided with a sensor for detecting a load in the backward direction (direction away from the eye to be inspected) with respect to the tip portion, and further, the control unit receives a load applied to the tip portion. The movable part may be controlled accordingly. For example, the control of the movable portion with respect to the magnitude of the load may be changed between the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode. More specifically, the control unit may control the movable portion so that the movable portion is retracted more in the first photographing mode with a smaller load than in the second photographing mode. As a result, in the first shooting mode, the angled image is easily taken without the eye to be compressed, and in the second shooting mode, the angled image is easily taken with the eye to be pressed pressed with an appropriate pressure. ..

Further, in the second shooting mode, when the cornea is pressed through the tip portion, the position of the movable portion is set based on the detection signal from the sensor so that the load received from the cornea to the tip portion is within a predetermined range. It may be controlled. The range of the load that can be received by the tip is preset to an appropriate range for widening the angle, so that the angle of the eye to be inspected is passed through the angle image taken with the eyeball compressed. In addition, the examiner can satisfactorily confirm whether organic obstruction (adhesion and no angle bottom is observed) or functional obstruction occurs.

Further, when taking a corner image at least in the second mode, information on the magnitude of the load may be displayed on the monitor in real time. As a result, the examiner can proceed with the imaging while being careful not to put excessive pressure on the eye to be examined.

Further, in the corner image captured in the second mode, information regarding the magnitude of the load detected at the time of imaging may be stored (stored in the memory) in association with the angle image. Then, when displaying the angle image taken in the second mode, the control unit may display the information on the magnitude of the load corresponding to the angle image on the monitor together with the angle image. Thereby, for example, the examiner can easily grasp whether or not the angle image is an image taken in a state of being compressed by an appropriate load.

<Shooting control in each mode>
Further, the control unit switches the shooting control by the shooting unit between the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode, so that the control unit has a different shooting sequence between the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode. May be executed to take a corner image. The shooting sequence may specify, for example, the number of corner images to be acquired and / or both of the shooting positions. In addition, the shooting sequence may specify shooting conditions such as light intensity, exposure time, and gain.

For example, in the second shooting mode, a larger number of corner images may be shot from one corner region as compared with the first shooting mode. For example, in the first shooting mode, the angle is shot only in a non-compressed state (that is, the load applied to the tip portion is zero), whereas in the second shooting mode, the load applied to the tip portion is different. The angle image may be taken in the compressed state of. More specifically, in the second shooting mode, two or more angle images may be taken for each angle area before and after the angle is compressed, or the state of the angle before and after the angle is compressed as a moving image. You may take a picture.

Further, for example, in the first shooting mode, a corner image is shot over the entire circumference of the corner, and in the second shooting mode, a corner image is shot in a part of the entire circumference of the corner. It may be. For example, first, the entire circumference of the corner may be photographed in the first shooting mode, and then the shooting result of the entire circumference (corne angle image for the entire circumference) may be displayed on the monitor. Next, the control unit may accept an instruction regarding a position to be photographed in the second photographing mode based on the operation input via the angle image displayed on the monitor. After shifting to the second shooting mode, the control unit may shoot the angle image with the eyeballs pressed at the shooting position instructed based on the operation input.

In this way, the control unit switches the shooting control by the shooting unit between the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode, so that the subject's eye is pressed and not pressed, and the control unit is able to perform well. It becomes easier to take a corner image.

<Automatic setting of shooting mode according to the type of tip>
As described above, the tip attached to the photographing unit can be exchanged between the first tip (for shooting in a non-compressed state) and the second tip (for shooting in a compressed state). If it is possible to detect which one is attached, the control unit may set either the first shooting mode or the second shooting mode based on the detection result. As a result, it is possible to suppress that shooting is performed in a state where the type of the tip portion mounted on the shooting unit and the shooting mode are different from each other. As a result, shooting mistakes can be reduced.

"Example"
Hereinafter, examples of the ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to the present disclosure will be shown with reference to the drawings. The ophthalmologic imaging device 1 according to the embodiment is an angle imaging device. The ophthalmologic imaging device 1 captures an angle image of the eye to be inspected.

<Device configuration>
A schematic device configuration of the ophthalmologic imaging device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the X direction in each figure will be described as the left-right direction, the Y direction as the vertical direction, and the Z direction as the front-back direction.

The ophthalmic apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an imaging unit 10, a retracting mechanism 20 (“moving mechanism” in this embodiment), and alignment mechanisms 4 and 5. Further, in this embodiment, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 has a base 3, a face support unit 6, a joystick 7, a monitor 8, and the like.

The photographing unit 10 has a photographing optical system 100 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B). The photographing optical system 100 captures an angle image by transmitting and receiving light through a prism arranged as a tip portion 140. Details of the photographing optical system 100 will be described later with reference to (see FIGS. 2A and 2B).

In the embodiment, the photographing unit 10 is housed in the cover 10a. As shown in FIG. 1, the tip portion 140 may be exposed so as to protrude from the cover 10a.

The monitor 8 displays, for example, an angle image taken through the photographing unit 10.

The base 3 supports the alignment mechanisms 4 and 5 and the face support unit 6.

The alignment mechanisms 4 and 5 are roughly classified into a moving table 4 and a Y drive unit 5. The mobile base 4 is arranged on the base 3. The examiner can move the moving table 4 with respect to the base 3 by operating the joystick 7. The Y drive unit 5 is further loaded on the moving table 4 to support the retracting mechanism 20 and the photographing unit 10. The Y drive unit 5 moves the photographing unit 10 in the Y direction together with the retracting mechanism 20. Each of the alignment mechanisms 4 and 5 may be driven based on a control signal from the control unit 80 (see FIG. 3).

The retreat mechanism 20 moves the photographing unit 10 in the retreat direction according to the load by applying a load in the retreat direction to the tip portion 140. In this embodiment, the retracting mechanism 20 integrally retracts the entire photographing unit 10. The retreat mechanism 20 of this embodiment includes a drive unit for controlling retreat based on a control signal.

<Shooting optical system>
Next, the photographing optical system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. Here, FIG. 2A shows an optical system when the eye E to be examined is photographed without compression, and FIG. 2B shows an optical system for photographing the eye E to be examined in a compressed state.

The photographing optical system 100 of this embodiment has a tip portion 140 (first prism 140A or second prism 140B), a switching portion 130, and an image pickup element 160. Further, the angle photographing device 100 includes a light source 110 and a focus adjusting unit 150.

In this embodiment, a replaceable prism is used for the tip portion 140. The prism is an objective optical system in the photographing optical system, and bends the illumination light toward the angle region.

As an example, it is exchanged between the first prism 140A (see FIG. 2A) and the second prism 140B (see FIG. 2B). In FIG. 2A, the first prism 140A (see FIG. 2A) is mounted, and in FIG. 2B, the second prism 140B is mounted. The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus 1 may further include a sensor 170 for detecting which of the first prism 140A and the second prism 140B is attached.

As shown in FIG. 2A, when the eye E to be examined is photographed without compression, the angle image can be photographed with a space between the eye E to be examined and the tip of the prism 140A. At this time, the gel G may be interposed between the eye E to be inspected and the prism 140A. Gel G is useful for suppressing total internal reflection at the corneal interface in the return light from the angle region.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the image to be imaged is taken with the eye E to be inspected pressed, the angle image is taken with the prism 140B in contact with the cornea. The second prism 140B also serves as a compression portion, and the front surface (first surface in the embodiment) of the prism 140B is pressed against the cornea to compress the eyeball. In this case as well, the gel G may be applied to the cornea in advance. The gel G may fill the gap between the cornea and the anterior surface of the second prism 140B in the compressed state. In addition, gel G is useful for reducing the friction generated between the second prism 140B and the cornea.

The optical features of the prisms 140A and 140B will be described later.

The light source 110 is a light source of illumination light emitted to a corner. In this embodiment, the light source 110 emits visible light. In the following description, in order to obtain a corner image as a color image, it is assumed that at least light of a plurality of colors having different wavelength ranges (for example, white light) can be emitted.

The illumination light from the light source 110 is reflected by the beam splitter 120 and directed toward the switching unit 130. At this time, the reflected light of the illumination light is guided to the switching unit 130 along the fixed optical axis L1. The beam splitter 120 separates the light emitting path and the light receiving path of the illumination light in the photographing optical system 100. As the beam splitter 120, a half mirror, a perforated mirror, or the like may be used.

The switching unit 130 is a unit that displaces the shooting position of the reflected image within the entire circumference of the corner. By providing the switching unit 130, it is possible to capture the reflected image of the angle at a plurality of imaging positions on the entire circumference of the angle. In this embodiment, the switching unit 130 includes mirrors 131 and 132 and a motor 133 (see FIG. 3). The switching unit 130 is driven based on the control signal from the control unit 170, and as a result, the photographing optical axis L2 is rotated around the fixation optical axis L1.

The two mirrors 131 and 132 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are arranged in parallel, and shift the optical path center of the illumination light by a predetermined interval with respect to the fixation light axis L1. By rotating the mirrors 131 and 132 around the fixation optical axis L1 by a drive source (not shown), the illumination light from the switching portion 130 to the tip portion 140 (first prism 140A or second prism 140B) is emitted. The position of the irradiation optical path is displaced.

Each of the prisms 140A and 140B has a reflecting surface that bends the illumination light toward the fixed optical axis L1 side. The optical axis of the illumination light reflected by the reflecting surface is bent so as to be greatly inclined with respect to the fixation light axis L1 and guided to the outside of the apparatus. At this time, the optical axis guided to the outside of the device is used as the photographing optical axis L2.

In this embodiment, a plurality of reflecting surfaces are formed on the prisms 140A and 140B side by side around the fixation optical axis L1. Such prisms 140A and 140B may have a regular polygonal cross section orthogonal to the fixed optical axis L1. For example, a prism having 16 side surfaces, 0 °, 22.5 °, 45 °, 67.5 °, 90 ° ... (Omitted) ... 337.5 °, respectively, when viewed from the eye E to be inspected. A reflecting surface directed to the optometry optical axis L1 may be arranged in the direction. The control unit 170 controls the switching unit 130 and selects the surface on which the illumination light is guided as one of the 16 reflecting surfaces, so that the imaging surface corresponding to each reflecting surface is taken in the entire circumference of the corner. Illumination light can be guided to the position.

The first prism 140A has a reflecting surface so that the return light from the predetermined angle region follows the light projection path (photographing optical axis L2) of the illumination light with a predetermined distance between the front surface and the cornea. Reflects the return light. Further, the second prism 140B emits the return light by the reflecting surface so that the return light from the predetermined angle region follows the projection path (photographing light axis L2) of the illumination light while the cornea is pressed by the front surface. reflect. At this time, the reflected light reflected by the prisms 140A and 140B is guided to the image sensor 160 side via the rear surfaces of the prisms 140A and 140B. That is, in this embodiment, even if the first prism 140A and the second prism 140B are replaced, the imaging position of the corner region in the photographing optical system 100 is not displaced. Therefore, the angle image can be satisfactorily taken in both the case where the eye E to be inspected is photographed without compression and the case where the eye E to be inspected is photographed in a compressed state. The shapes of the prisms 140A and 140B, the refractive index of the glass material, and the like may be appropriately determined so that light can be transmitted and received as described above.

The reflected light from the angle region is guided to the beam splitter 120 by going back to the first prism 140A or the second prism 140B and the switching unit 130. The illumination light that has passed through the beam splitter 120 toward the image sensor 160 is received by the image sensor 160 via the focusing lens 151. As a result, a reflected image of the angle as shown in FIG. 5 is taken.

The focusing lens 151 is a part of the focus adjusting unit in the angle photographing apparatus 100. The angle photographing device 100 is provided with a drive unit 152 that moves the focusing lens 151 along the optical axis. Instead of the focusing lens 151, the focus may be adjusted by moving the image sensor 160 in the optical axis direction, or the focus may be adjusted by another method.

<Control system>
Next, the control system will be described with reference to FIG. The ophthalmologic imaging device 1 includes a control unit (processor) 80. The control unit 80 executes control processing for the entire device and various arithmetic processing. The control unit 80 may include a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. Temporary data used for shooting and measurement is stored in the RAM, for example.

The control unit 80 includes, for example, an alignment mechanism 4, 5, a joystick 7, a monitor 8, a drive unit 20, a light source 110, a motor 133, a drive unit 152, a light receiving element 160, a storage device 81, and an operation unit 85 via a bus or the like. , Etc. are connected.

The storage device 81 is a rewritable non-volatile storage device. As the storage device 81, various storage devices such as a hard disk, a flash memory, and a USB memory can be applied. Further, the storage device 81 may store at least a program for causing the ophthalmologic imaging device 1 to execute various operations such as imaging operations.

The angle image taken by the ophthalmologic imaging device 1 may be stored in the storage device 81. It may also be displayed on the monitor 8.

The operation unit 85 is an input interface in the ophthalmologic imaging device 1. An instruction corresponding to the operation to the operation unit 85 is input to the control unit 80. The operation unit 85 may be, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse and a touch panel, or a keyboard. Further, the joystick 7 may be used as one of the operation units 85.

<Operation explanation>
Next, the operation of the apparatus will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, one of the first prism 140A and the second prism 140B is attached and detached by the examiner. At this time, when the first prism 140A is attached, the gel G is applied to the front surface of the prism by the examiner. After the desired prism is attached, the subject's face is supported by the face support unit 6.

Which prism is attached to the photographing optical system 100 is detected based on the output signal of the sensor 170. The control unit 80 sets a shooting mode according to the type of prism. When the first prism 140A is mounted, the control unit 80 sets the photographing mode to the first mode. On the other hand, when the second prism 140B is mounted, the control unit 80 sets the shooting mode to the second mode. Therefore, in this embodiment, the shooting mode is automatically switched according to the prism to be mounted.

<1st mode>
In the first mode, shooting is performed without pressing the eyeball. For example, in this embodiment, as a result of alignment, the first prism 140A and the cornea are arranged at a distance of several mm. For the specific method of alignment, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-89356 by the applicant.

Since the proper working distance is as short as several mm, it is considered that the cornea is likely to come into contact with the first prism 140A due to the movement of the subject's face. On the other hand, in the first mode, when the load sensor 20b detects a load of the first threshold value T1 or more, the control unit 80 controls the drive unit 20b so that the photographing unit 10 retracts. As a result, in the first mode, the angle image is likely to be taken without pressing the eyeball. The first threshold value T1 is a value sufficiently smaller than the second threshold value T2 in the second mode.

After the alignment is completed, for example, when a release operation is input, a corner image is taken. Since the angle region has a large height difference, the control unit 80 controls the focusing lens 151 to displace the focusing position and capture one or a plurality of angle images with respect to one imaging position. You may. When a plurality of corner images having different focus states are taken, the control unit 80 may combine the plurality of images to generate an image in focus in a wide range. Further, any one of the plurality of images may be treated as an image representing the shooting position. The control unit 80 may take a corner image at a plurality of positions on the entire circumference of the corner by repeating the shooting while controlling the switching unit 130 to change the shooting position. The captured angle image is stored in the memory 81. Each corner image is stored in the memory 81 in association with, for example, information indicating a shooting position.

<Second mode>
In the second mode, shooting is performed with the eyeballs pressed. For example, in this embodiment, as a result of the alignment, the second prism 140B and the cornea are lightly contacted. At the time of photographing, the examiner may hold the head so that the subject's face does not escape, or the head may be fixed to the face support unit by using a band or the like (not shown). In the second mode, the load value (an example of information on the magnitude of the load) detected by the load sensor 20b is displayed on the monitor in real time. The examiner proceeds with the shooting while checking the load value. If the eyeball is strongly compressed, take appropriate measures such as weakening the force to press the subject's head.

At this time, display control may be performed to distinguish between the case where the load value is within the appropriate range (details will be described later) and the case where the load value is outside the appropriate range. For example, the color of the graphic indicating the load value may be switched between the case where the load value is within the proper range and the case where the load value is outside the proper range. This makes it easier for the examiner to respond when the eyeball is strongly compressed.

In this embodiment, when the release operation is input, the control unit 80 drives the drive unit 20a, slightly advances the imaging unit 10, and then captures the angle image. As a result of advancing, the eyeball is compressed by the second prism 140B.

In the second mode, when the load sensor 20b detects a load equal to or higher than the second threshold value T2, the control unit 80 controls the drive unit 20b so that the movable portion of the photographing unit 10 retracts. Further, at this time, the drive unit 20b may be controlled so that the load sensor 20b detects a load less than the second threshold value T2 and greater than or equal to the third threshold value T3. The second threshold value T2 and the third threshold value T3 are both larger values than the above-mentioned first threshold value T1. Further, the second threshold value T2 and the third threshold value T3 are values having a size sufficiently large to widen the angle. With such control, in the second mode, the angle image is satisfactorily taken in a state where the eyeball is compressed without imposing an excessive burden on the eye to be inspected by the compression.

At this time, as in the first mode, the control unit 80 controls the focusing lens 151 to displace the focusing position and capture one or a plurality of angle images with respect to one imaging position. You may. Each corner image is stored in the memory 81 in association with the information indicating the shooting position, as in the first mode, for example. Further, the angle image taken in the second mode is associated with the value of the load detected at the time of shooting (an example of information on the magnitude of the load) and stored in the memory 81 (that is, output to the memory). Will be).

If the load value deviates from the appropriate range (for example, less than the second threshold value T2 and more than the third threshold value T3) during the shooting operation, the control unit 80 executes a notification operation to notify that fact. You may perform re-shooting. The notification operation may be to display a text such as "shooting error" on the monitor 8 or to give voice guidance.

<Display of shooting results>
The angle images taken in the first mode and the second mode may be displayed on the monitor 8 at the same time. Further, the angle images taken in each mode may be selectively displayed on the monitor 8.

FIG. 5 shows an example of simultaneous display. In FIG. 5, two angle images 200 and 300 taken at the same shooting position are arranged side by side. One of the two corner images 200 is an image taken in the first mode, and the other corner image 300 is an image taken in the second mode.

As an example, the identification display of the photographing method is displayed in association with the respective corner angle images 200 and 300. As an example, in FIG. 5, in FIG. 5, the corner image 200 taken in the first mode is given the character “static”, and the corner image 300 taken in the second mode is given the character “dynamic”. Attached.

As shown in FIG. 5, the value of the load at the time of shooting (character "○○ g" as an example) is displayed and output in association with the corner image 300 shot in the second shooting mode. As a result, the examiner can easily grasp whether or not the image is taken with an appropriate load applied.

By the way, in this embodiment, the optical system conditions such as the shape of the prism and the working distance are different between the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode, so that between the angle images shot in each mode. It is conceivable that there is a difference in magnification and distortion (for example, trapezoidal distortion). Therefore, in displaying the two angle images 200 and 300, the difference in magnification and the distortion may be corrected in advance by the control unit 80. By correcting the difference in magnification and distortion due to the difference in the optical system conditions between the first shooting mode and the second mode, it becomes easier to compare the two angle images 200 and 300 well.

Further, for example, the control unit 80 may execute image processing for comparing the two angle images 200 and 300. In the angle image, a plurality of tissues constituting the angle structure are drawn in layers (stripes). After detecting the region corresponding to the corner bottom from the striped image, the position where the corner bottom is interrupted (hidden) may be specified in both of the two corner images. At the identified location, there may be an organic obstruction (adhesions and no angle base observed). Therefore, for example, a marker may be attached to the specified position in one or both of the two angle images. This makes it easier for the examiner to find the location where the organic blockage is occurring.

In this embodiment, the angle images taken at one shooting position are displayed on the monitor 8, but the plurality of corner images taken at the plurality of shooting positions are displayed on the monitor 8. May be done. The plurality of corner images may be displayed as a collage image. As a result, the state of the corner angle in a wide range can be confirmed collectively.

It should be noted that the above-described embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present disclosure in any way, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

Further, the present disclosure discloses the following embodiments of the optical element. That is, the optical element includes a first surface for compressing while contacting the corneum of the eye to be inspected, a second surface formed so as to face the first surface, and the first surface and the second surface. An optical element having a reflective surface formed between them, which has a light-receiving optical axis that guides an incident light beam to the light-receiving element, and photographs a corner region of the eye to be inspected based on a signal from the light-receiving element. As an objective optical unit in the optical system, the optical element is removable, and the reflective surface is attached to the photographing optical system from the corner region incident through the first surface. The light beam is reflected through the second surface along the light receiving optical axis.

1 Ophthalmology device 80 Control unit 100 Imaging optical system 140B Second prism E Eye to be inspected

Claims (12)

A compression means for compressing the eyeball of the eye to be inspected,
An imaging optical system for capturing an angle image, which is an image of the angle region of the eye to be inspected,
An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus comprising: a control means for controlling the imaging optical system to capture the angle image in a state where the eyeball is compressed by the compression means with a load such that the angle region moves. The control means
A first imaging mode for capturing the angle image without compressing the eye to be inspected by the compression means.
A second imaging mode for capturing the angle image while the eye to be inspected is compressed by the compression means.
The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging mode is switched between. An imaging unit including the imaging optical system and the compression means,
A tip portion formed on the compression means for contacting and compressing the cornea of the eye to be inspected, and
The imaging unit further includes a moving mechanism for moving a movable portion including at least the tip portion in the front-rear direction.
The ophthalmologic imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the control means changes the drive control of the movable portion in the front-rear direction between the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode. The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a detecting means for detecting a load applied to the tip portion in a backward direction, which is a direction away from the eye to be inspected. The control means controls the drive of the movable portion based on the load.
The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control of the movable portion with respect to the magnitude of the load is changed between the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode. The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising display control means for displaying information on the magnitude of the load on a monitor in association with at least the angle image captured in the second mode. The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the control means captures the angle image in different imaging sequences between the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode. In the photographing unit, a first tip portion which is the tip portion for photographing the eye to be inspected without compression, and a second tip portion which is the tip portion for photographing the eye to be inspected in a compressed state. The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to claim 2 to 7, which is interchangeable between. A second detection means for determining the type of the tip portion is provided.
The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control means switches the imaging mode based on the type of the tip portion detected by the second detecting means. The photographing optical system has a two-dimensional light receiving element that captures the angle image.
Regardless of which of the first tip portion and the second tip portion is attached, the first tip portion and the second tip portion determine the imaging position of the angle region in the photographing optical system. The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 9, which is set on a light receiving surface of a two-dimensional light receiving element. An optical element included in the photographing optical system in order to correct the displacement of the imaging position of the angle region in the photographing optical system between the first photographing mode and the second photographing mode. The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 9, further comprising a driving correction means. The ophthalmologic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 11, further comprising an output control means that outputs identification information that identifies the imaging mode at the time of imaging in association with each of the angle images.

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