JP2021164589A - Model eye and ophthalmologic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a model eye suitable as a phantom for OCT-Angiography (OCTA).SOLUTION: A model eye 600 of an exemplary embodiment is used in an ophthalmologic field. The model eye 600 includes a liquid storage part 630-m (m=1, ..., M; M is an integer equal to or more than 1). Stored in the liquid storage part 630-m is a liquid in which particles float. Applying OCTA to the model eye 600 as a phantom may obtain an image expressing variation in light scattering caused by particles moving in the liquid by Brownian motion. Using the image, the performance of an OCTA function can be evaluated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6B

Description

The present invention relates to model eyes and ophthalmic devices.

Various imaging modality is used in ophthalmic practice, and a typical example thereof is optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT is used not only for structural imaging but also for functional imaging.

For example, OCT angiography (OCTA) is a functional imaging modality for visualizing blood flow and is used to obtain retinal blood vessel images and choroidal blood vessel images (see, for example, Patent Document 1). OCTA is a technology that focuses on the fact that the signal from the fundus tissue (structure) does not change with time, while the signal from the blood flow inside the blood vessel changes with time, and such a change with time exists. A blood vessel image is constructed by emphasizing the part (blood flow signal). OCTA is also called OCT motion contrast imaging (OCT motion contrast imaging) or the like. Images constructed by OCTA are called angiographic images, angiograms, motion contrast images, and the like.

Ophthalmic devices that can perform OCTA are extremely precise optical instruments, and in order to fully demonstrate their performance, adjustments and calibrations based on rigorous evaluation are required. There are various methods for evaluating ophthalmic devices, but a method using a model eye as a phantom is widely used (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3 and Non-Patent Document 1).

Special Table 2015-515894 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-110575 JP-A-2019-76181

7 people from outside Jigesh Baxi, "Retina-simulating phantom for optical coherence tomography", Journal of Biomedical Optics, published in February 2014, Vol. 19, No. 2,021106-1 to 021106-8

However, although the conventional model eye can be used as a phantom for OCT structure imaging, it cannot be used as a phantom for OCTA.

It is conceivable to construct a phantom system that imitates blood flow by flowing liquid, but a device that generates liquid flow is required, the structure of the model eye and system becomes complicated, and the system is large. There is a problem of becoming a model.

One object of the present invention is to provide a model eye suitable as a phantom for OCTA and an ophthalmic apparatus including the model eye.

Some exemplary embodiments are model eyes used in the field of ophthalmology, including a liquid reservoir containing a liquid in which fine particles are suspended.

The model eye of some exemplary embodiment comprises a plurality of said liquid reservoirs.

In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of liquid reservoirs contain the liquids of different viscosities.

In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of liquid compartments contain the liquid in which the fine particles of different dimensions are suspended.

In some exemplary embodiments, at least one of the plurality of liquid reservoirs is arranged to be tilted with respect to the axial direction.

In some exemplary embodiments, at least two of the plurality of liquid reservoirs are arranged at different tilt angles with respect to the axial direction.

In some exemplary embodiments, the liquid reservoir is arranged at an angle with respect to the axial direction.

The model eye of some exemplary embodiments further comprises a multi-layered laminate.

In some exemplary embodiments, the liquid reservoir is located within any of the plurality of layers.

In some exemplary embodiments, the liquid reservoir is provided in each of at least two of the plurality of layers.

In some exemplary embodiments, the liquid reservoir is located over at least two of the plurality of layers.

In some exemplary embodiments, a portion of the liquid reservoir is exposed from the laminate.

In some exemplary embodiments, the orientation of the liquid reservoir can be changed.

The model eye of some exemplary embodiment further includes a first temperature control unit for keeping the temperature of the liquid constant.

The model eye of some exemplary embodiment further comprises a second temperature control unit for varying the temperature of the liquid.

In some exemplary embodiments, the liquid reservoir comprises a tubular body containing the liquid.

Some exemplary embodiments are ophthalmic devices including a data acquisition unit for optically acquiring eye data and a model eye for evaluation of the data acquisition unit, wherein the model eye is a model eye. It includes a liquid storage unit in which a liquid in which fine particles are suspended is stored.

Some exemplary embodiments of the ophthalmic apparatus further include an evaluation unit that generates evaluation information based on data acquired from the model eye by the data acquisition unit.

In some exemplary embodiments, the data acquisition unit comprises an optical system, and the ophthalmic apparatus further comprises an alignment system that aligns the optical system with respect to a model eye placed at a predetermined position, said evaluation. After the alignment, the unit generates the evaluation information based on the data acquired from the model eye by the data acquisition unit.

In some exemplary embodiments, the data acquisition unit has executed data acquisition from the specific portion of the model eye at least twice, and the evaluation unit has been acquired from the specific portion by the data acquisition unit. The evaluation information is generated based on two or more data.

According to some exemplary embodiments, it is possible to provide a model eye suitable as a phantom for OCTA or an ophthalmic apparatus equipped with the model eye.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the model eye which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the laminated body in the model eye which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the laminated body in the model eye which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the laminated body in the model eye which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the manufacturing method and structure of the liquid storage part in a model eye which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the arrangement of the liquid storage part in a model eye which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the arrangement of the liquid storage part in a model eye which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the arrangement of the liquid storage part in a model eye which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the arrangement of the liquid storage part in a model eye which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is a flowchart which shows the operation which can perform the ophthalmic apparatus which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is an OCTA image of a model eye which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing method of the laminated body which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the model eye which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic for demonstrating the model eye which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic for demonstrating the model eye which concerns on an exemplary aspect. It is the schematic for demonstrating the model eye which concerns on an exemplary aspect.

Some exemplary embodiments of the model eye and ophthalmic apparatus according to the embodiment will be described. The ophthalmic apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment includes a model eye according to the exemplary embodiment. In addition, the performance of the ophthalmic apparatus can be evaluated using the model eye according to the exemplary embodiment.

The ophthalmic apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment described below is a multifunction device in which an OCTA apparatus capable of performing OCTA is combined with a fundus camera, but the ophthalmic apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment is not limited to this, and has an OCTA function. It may be any ophthalmic device having. The ophthalmic apparatus according to some exemplary embodiments has at least one of an alignment function and a performance evaluation function. Some exemplary embodiments of the ophthalmic device include a model eye for performance evaluation. On the other hand, some exemplary embodiments of the ophthalmic apparatus do not include a model eye for performance evaluation.

Spectral domain OCT is adopted for the OCT apparatus included in the ophthalmic apparatus of the exemplary embodiment described below, but the type of OCT applicable to the ophthalmic apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment is limited to the spectral domain OCT. Instead, for example, it may be a swept source OCT.

Here, the spectral domain OCT divides the light from the low coherence light source into the measurement light and the reference light, and superimposes the return light of the measurement light from the test object on the reference light to generate interference light, and this interference occurs. This is a method in which the spectral distribution of light is detected by a spectroscope and the detected spectral distribution is subjected to Fourier transform or the like to form an image.

On the other hand, the swept source OCT divides the light from the variable wavelength light source into the measurement light and the reference light, and superimposes the return light of the measurement light from the test object on the reference light to generate interference light. This is a method in which interference light is detected by an optical detector such as a balanced photodiode, and the detection data collected in response to the sweeping of the wavelength and the scanning of the measurement light is subjected to Fourier transform or the like to form an image.

As described above, the spectral domain OCT is an OCT method for acquiring the spectral distribution by spatial division, and the swept source OCT is an OCT method for acquiring the spectral distribution by time division. In addition, other OCT methods such as time domain OCT may be used.

In the present specification, unless otherwise specified, "image data" and "image" which is visual information based on the "image data" are not distinguished. Further, unless otherwise specified, no distinction is made between the part or tissue of the eye to be inspected and the corresponding part of the model eye. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the part or tissue of the eye to be inspected is not distinguished from the image thereof, and the part of the model eye is not distinguished from the image.

<Configuration of ophthalmic equipment>
An exemplary aspect of the ophthalmic apparatus is shown in FIG. The ophthalmic apparatus 1 includes a fundus camera unit 2, an OCT unit 100, and an arithmetic control unit 200. The fundus camera unit 2 is provided with an optical system and mechanism for acquiring a frontal image of the eye E to be inspected, and an optical system and mechanism for executing OCT. The OCT unit 100 is provided with an optical system and a mechanism for executing OCT. The arithmetic control unit 200 includes one or more processors configured to perform various processes (arithmetic, control, etc.). Further, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 includes two front eye cameras 300 for photographing the front eye from two different directions.

The fundus camera unit 2 is provided with a chin rest and a forehead pad for holding the subject's face. The chin rest and forehead rest correspond to the face holding portion 450 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. A drive mechanism and an arithmetic control circuit are stored in the base 310. The optical system is housed in the housing 320 provided on the base 310. The objective lens 22 is housed in the lens accommodating portion 330 projecting from the front surface of the housing 320.

Further, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 includes a lens unit for switching a site to which OCT is applied. Specifically, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 includes an anterior ocular segment OCT attachment 400 for applying OCT to the anterior ocular segment. The anterior eye portion OCT attachment 400 may be configured in the same manner as the optical unit disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-160103.

As shown in FIG. 1, the anterior segment OCT attachment 400 can be arranged between the objective lens 22 and the eye E to be inspected. When the anterior segment OCT attachment 400 is located in the optical path, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 can apply an OCT scan to the anterior segment. On the other hand, when the anterior ocular segment OCT attachment 400 is retracted from the optical path, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 can apply an OCT scan to the posterior ocular segment. The front eye OCT attachment 400 is moved manually or automatically.

In some embodiments, an OCT scan can be applied to the posterior eye when the attachment is placed in the optical path, and an OCT scan can be applied to the anterior eye when the attachment is retracted from the optical path. It may be there. Further, the measurement site that can be switched by the attachment is not limited to the posterior eye portion and the anterior eye portion, and may be any region of the eye. The configuration for switching the site to which the OCT scan is applied is not limited to such an attachment. For example, a configuration including a lens that can move along the optical path or a lens that can be inserted into and removed from the optical path. It is also possible to adopt a configuration provided with.

At least some of the functions of the elements disclosed herein are implemented using a circuit configuration or a processing circuit configuration. The circuit configuration or processing circuit configuration is a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor, an integrated circuit, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) configured and / or programmed to perform at least a part of the disclosed functions. ), ASIC (Application Special Integrated Circuit), programmable logic device (for example, SPLD (Simple Program Logic Device), CPLD (Complex Program A processor is considered to be a processing circuit configuration or circuit configuration, including transistors and / or other circuit configurations. In the present disclosure, circuit configurations, units, means, or similar terms are disclosed. Hardware that performs at least a portion of the disclosed functionality, or hardware that is programmed to perform at least a portion of the disclosed functionality. Hardware is the hardware disclosed herein. It may be, or it may be known hardware programmed and / or configured to perform at least some of the described functions. A processor in which the hardware can be considered as a type of circuit configuration. If, a circuit configuration, unit, means, or similar terminology is a combination of hardware and software, which software is used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

<Fundus camera unit 2>
The fundus camera unit 2 is provided with an optical system for photographing the fundus Ef (and the anterior eye portion) of the eye to be inspected E. The acquired digital image of the fundus Ef (called a fundus image, a fundus photograph, etc.) is generally a front image such as an observation image, a photographed image, or the like. The observed image is obtained by taking a moving image using near infrared light. The captured image is a still image using flash light in the visible region.

The fundus camera unit 2 includes an illumination optical system 10 and a photographing optical system 30. The illumination optical system 10 irradiates the eye E to be inspected with illumination light. The photographing optical system 30 detects the return light of the illumination light applied to the eye E to be inspected. The measurement light from the OCT unit 100 is guided to the eye E to be inspected through the optical path in the fundus camera unit 2. The return light of the measurement light projected on the eye E (for example, fundus Ef) is guided to the OCT unit 100 through the same optical path in the fundus camera unit 2.

The light (observation illumination light) output from the observation light source 11 of the illumination optical system 10 is reflected by the concave mirror 12, passes through the condenser lens 13, passes through the visible cut filter 14, and becomes near-infrared light. Further, the observation illumination light is once focused in the vicinity of the photographing light source 15, reflected by the mirror 16, and passed through the relay lens system 17, the relay lens 18, the diaphragm 19, and the relay lens system 20 to the perforated mirror 21. Be guided. Then, the observation illumination light is reflected at the peripheral portion of the perforated mirror 21 (the region around the perforated portion), passes through the dichroic mirror 46, is refracted by the objective lens 22, and illuminates the eye E (fundus Ef) to be inspected. do. The return light of the observation illumination light from the eye E to be inspected is refracted by the objective lens 22, passes through the dichroic mirror 46, passes through the hole formed in the central region of the perforated mirror 21, and passes through the dichroic mirror 55. , It is reflected by the mirror 32 via the photographing focusing lens 31. Further, this return light passes through the half mirror 33A, is reflected by the dichroic mirror 33, and is imaged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 35 by the imaging lens 34. The image sensor 35 detects the return light at a predetermined frame rate. The focus of the photographing optical system 30 can be adjusted to match the fundus Ef or its vicinity, and can be adjusted to match the anterior eye portion or its vicinity.

The light output from the photographing light source 15 (photographing illumination light) is applied to the fundus Ef through the same path as the observation illumination light. The return light of the photographing illumination light from the eye E to be examined is guided to the dichroic mirror 33 through the same path as the return light of the observation illumination light, passes through the dichroic mirror 33, is reflected by the mirror 36, and is reflected by the imaging lens 37. An image is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 38.

The liquid crystal display (LCD) 39 displays a fixation target (fixation target image). A part of the light flux output from the LCD 39 is reflected by the half mirror 33A, reflected by the mirror 32, passes through the photographing focusing lens 31 and the dichroic mirror 55, and passes through the hole portion of the perforated mirror 21. The luminous flux that has passed through the hole of the perforated mirror 21 passes through the dichroic mirror 46, is refracted by the objective lens 22, and is projected onto the fundus Ef. The fixation target is typically used to guide and fix the line of sight. The direction in which the line of sight of the eye E to be examined is guided (and fixed), that is, the direction in which the fixation of the eye E to be examined is promoted is called the fixation position.

The fixation position can be changed by changing the display position of the fixation target image on the screen of the LCD 39. Examples of fixation positions include the fixation position for acquiring an image centered on the macula, the fixation position for acquiring an image centered on the optic nerve head, and the position between the macula and the optic nerve head ( There is a fixation position for acquiring an image centered on the fundus (center of the fundus) and a fixation position for acquiring an image of a portion (peripheral part of the fundus) far away from the macula.

A graphical user interface (GUI) or the like for designating at least one of such typical fixation positions can be provided. In addition, a GUI or the like for manually moving the fixation position (display position of the fixation target) can be provided. It is also possible to apply a configuration that automatically sets the fixation position.

The configuration for presenting the fixation target whose fixation position can be changed to the eye E to be inspected is not limited to a display device such as an LCD. For example, a device (fixation matrix) in which a plurality of light emitting units (light emitting diodes and the like) are arranged in a matrix can be adopted instead of the display device. In this case, the fixation position of the eye E to be inspected by the fixation target can be changed by selectively lighting the plurality of light emitting units. As another example, a device having one or more movable light emitting units can generate an fixation target whose fixation position can be changed.

The alignment optical system 50 generates an alignment index used for alignment of the optical system with respect to the eye E to be inspected. The alignment light output from the light emitting diode (LED) 51 passes through the aperture 52, the aperture 53, and the relay lens 54, is reflected by the dichroic mirror 55, passes through the hole portion of the perforated mirror 21, and passes through the dichroic mirror 46. It is transmitted and projected onto the eye E to be inspected through the objective lens 22. The return light of the alignment light from the eye E to be inspected is guided to the image sensor 35 through the same path as the return light of the observation illumination light. Manual alignment or auto alignment can be executed based on the received light image (alignment index image).

The alignment method applicable to the exemplary embodiment is not limited to the one using such an alignment index, and is formed by a method using the anterior segment camera 300 or by projecting a light beam from the front onto the cornea. Any known method, such as a method using a corneal reflex image (Pulkiner image), or a method using an optical teco that projects a light beam from an oblique angle onto the cornea and detects the corneal reflex light in the opposite direction. You can.

The focus optical system 60 generates a split index used for focus adjustment with respect to the eye E to be inspected. The focus optical system 60 is moved along the optical path (illumination optical path) of the illumination optical system 10 in conjunction with the movement of the imaging focusing lens 31 along the optical path (photographing optical path) of the photographing optical system 30. The reflection rod 67 is inserted and removed from the illumination optical path. When adjusting the focus, the reflecting surface of the reflecting rod 67 is inclined and arranged in the illumination optical path. The focus light output from the LED 61 passes through the relay lens 62, is separated into two luminous fluxes by the split index plate 63, passes through the two-hole diaphragm 64, is reflected by the mirror 65, and is reflected by the condensing lens 66. Once imaged on the reflecting surface of, it is reflected. Further, the focus light is reflected by the perforated mirror 21 via the relay lens 20, passes through the dichroic mirror 46, and is projected onto the eye E to be inspected via the objective lens 22. The return light (reflected light from the fundus, etc.) of the focus light from the eye E to be inspected is guided to the image sensor 35 through the same path as the return light of the alignment light. Manual focusing or auto focusing can be executed based on the received light image (split index image).

The diopter correction lenses 70 and 71 can be selectively inserted into the photographing optical path between the perforated mirror 21 and the dichroic mirror 55. The diopter correction lens 70 is a plus lens (convex lens) for correcting high-intensity hyperopia. The diopter correction lens 71 is a minus lens (concave lens) for correcting intense myopia.

The dichroic mirror 46 synthesizes a fundus photography optical path and an OCT optical path (measurement arm). The dichroic mirror 46 reflects light in the wavelength band used for OCT and transmits light for fundus photography. The measuring arm is provided with a collimator lens unit 40, a retroreflector 41, a dispersion compensation member 42, an OCT focusing lens 43, an optical scanner 44, and a relay lens 45 in this order from the OCT unit 100 side.

The retroreflector 41 is movable along the optical path of the measurement light LS incident on the retroreflector 41, whereby the length of the measurement arm is changed. The change in the measurement arm length is used, for example, for correcting the optical path length according to the axial length and adjusting the interference state.

The dispersion compensating member 42, together with the dispersion compensating member 113 (described later) arranged on the reference arm, acts to match the dispersion characteristics of the measurement light LS and the dispersion characteristics of the reference light LR.

The OCT focusing lens 43 is moved along the measuring arm to adjust the focus of the measuring arm. The movement of the photographing focusing lens 31, the movement of the focus optical system 60, and the movement of the OCT focusing lens 43 can be controlled in a coordinated manner.

The optical scanner 44 is substantially located at a position optically conjugate with the pupil of the eye E to be inspected. The optical scanner 44 deflects the measurement light LS guided by the measurement arm. The optical scanner 44 is, for example, a galvano scanner capable of two-dimensional scanning. Typically, the optical scanner 44 is a one-dimensional scanner (x-scanner) for deflecting the measurement light in the ± x direction and a one-dimensional scanner (y-scanner) for deflecting the measurement light in the ± y direction. And include. In this case, for example, one of these one-dimensional scanners is arranged at a position optically conjugate with the pupil, or a position optically conjugate with the pupil is arranged between these one-dimensional scanners.

<OCT unit 100>
The exemplary OCT unit 100 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with an optical system for performing spectral domain OCT. This optical system includes an interference optical system. This interference optical system divides the light from the low coherence light source (broadband light source) into the measurement light and the reference light, and superimposes the return light of the measurement light projected on the eye E to be examined and the reference light passing through the reference optical path. Together, it produces interference light. The spectral distribution of the interference light generated by the interference optical system is detected by the spectroscope. The data (detection signal) obtained by detecting the spectral distribution of the interference light is sent to the arithmetic control unit 200.

The light source unit 101 outputs wideband low coherence light L0. The low coherence light L0 includes, for example, a wavelength band in the near infrared region (about 800 nanometers to 900 nanometers) and has a temporal coherence length of about several tens of micrometers. The low coherence light L0 may be near-infrared light having a wavelength band invisible to the human eye, for example, a central wavelength of about 1040 to 1060 nanometers. The light source unit 101 includes an optical output device such as a superluminescent diode (SLD), an LED, and a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA).

When the swept source OCT is adopted, the light source unit includes, for example, a near-infrared wavelength tunable laser that changes the wavelength of the emitted light at high speed.

The low coherence light L0 output from the light source unit 101 is guided by the optical fiber 102 to the polarization controller 103, and its polarization state is adjusted. The light L0 whose polarization state has been adjusted is guided by the optical fiber 104 to the fiber coupler 105 and divided into the measurement light LS and the reference light LR. The optical path that guides the measurement light LS is called a measurement arm or the like, and the optical path that guides the reference light LR is called a reference arm or the like.

The reference light LR generated by the fiber coupler 105 is guided by the optical fiber 110 to the collimator 111, converted into a parallel luminous flux, and guided to the retroreflector 114 via the optical path length correction member 112 and the dispersion compensation member 113. The optical path length correction member 112 acts to match the optical path length of the reference light LR with the optical path length of the measurement light LS. The dispersion compensating member 113, together with the dispersion compensating member 42 arranged on the measurement arm, acts to match the dispersion characteristics between the reference light LR and the measurement light LS. The retroreflector 114 is movable along the optical path of the reference light LR incident on it, thereby changing the length of the reference arm. The change of the reference arm length is used, for example, for correcting the optical path length according to the axial length and adjusting the interference state.

The reference light LR that has passed through the retroreflector 114 is converted from a parallel luminous flux to a focused luminous flux by the collimator 116 via the dispersion compensating member 113 and the optical path length correction member 112, and is incident on the optical fiber 117. The reference light LR incident on the optical fiber 117 is guided by the polarization controller 118 to adjust its polarization state, is guided to the attenuator 120 through the optical fiber 119 to adjust the amount of light, and is guided to the fiber coupler 122 through the optical fiber 121. Be guided.

On the other hand, the measurement optical LS generated by the fiber coupler 105 is guided to the collimator lens unit 40 through the optical fiber 127 and converted into a parallel light beam, and is converted into a parallel light beam, the retroreflector 41, the dispersion compensation member 42, the OCT focusing lens 43, and the optical scanner 44. , And is reflected by the dichroic mirror 46 via the relay lens 45, refracted by the objective lens 22, and projected onto the eye E to be inspected. The measurement light LS is scattered and reflected at various depth positions of the eye E to be inspected. The return light from the eye E to be inspected of the measurement light LS travels in the opposite direction on the measurement arm, is guided to the fiber coupler 105, and reaches the fiber coupler 122 via the optical fiber 128.

The fiber coupler 122 superimposes the measurement light LS incidented via the optical fiber 128 and the reference light LR incidented via the optical fiber 121 to generate interference light LC.

The interference light LC generated by the fiber coupler 122 is guided to the spectroscope 130 through the optical fiber 129. The spectroscope 130, for example, converts the incident interference light LC into a parallel light beam by a collimator lens, decomposes the interference light LC converted into the parallel light beam into a spectral component by a diffraction grating, and decomposes the spectral component by the diffraction grating. Is projected onto the image sensor by the lens 114. This image sensor is, for example, a line sensor, and detects a plurality of spectral components of the interference light LC to generate an electric signal (detection signal). The generated detection signal is sent to the arithmetic control unit 200.

When the swept source OCT is adopted, the interference light generated by superimposing the measurement light and the reference light is branched at a predetermined branching ratio (for example, 1: 1) to generate a pair of interference lights. The pair of interference lights generated is guided to the photodetector. Photodetectors include, for example, balanced photodiodes. The balanced photodiode includes a pair of photodetectors that detect each pair of interference lights, and outputs the difference between the pair of detection signals obtained by these. The photodetector sends this output (detection signal such as a difference signal) to a data collection system (DAQ). A clock is supplied to the data collection system from the light source unit. The clock is generated in the light source unit in synchronization with the output timing of each wavelength swept within a predetermined wavelength range by the tunable light source. The light source unit, for example, branches light of each output wavelength to generate two branched lights, optically delays one of the branched lights, synthesizes these branched lights, and detects the obtained combined light. , Generates a clock based on the detected signal. The data collection system performs sampling of the detection signal (difference signal) input from the photodetector based on the clock. The data obtained by this sampling is used for processing such as image construction.

In the ophthalmic apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an element for changing the measurement arm length (for example, the retroreflector 41) and an element for changing the reference arm length (for example, the retroreflector 114 or the reference mirror) are included. ), But in some exemplary embodiments, only one of these elements is provided. The coherence gate position is changed by changing the measurement arm length and the reference arm length relative to each other (that is, by changing the optical path length difference between the measurement arm and the reference arm). The element for changing the optical path length difference is not limited to the element disclosed in this embodiment, and may be any element (optical member, mechanism, etc.).

<Operation control unit 200>
The arithmetic control unit 200 controls each part of the ophthalmic apparatus 1. In addition, the arithmetic control unit 200 executes various arithmetics. For example, the arithmetic control unit 200 forms a reflection intensity profile in each A line by performing signal processing such as Fourier transform on the spectral distribution acquired by the spectroscope 130. Further, the arithmetic control unit 200 forms image data by imaging the reflection intensity profile of each A line. The arithmetic processing for that purpose is the same as that of the conventional spectral domain OCT.

The arithmetic control unit 200 includes, for example, a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk drive, a communication interface, and the like. Various computer programs are stored in a storage device such as a hard disk drive. The arithmetic control unit 200 may include an operation device, an input device, a display device, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the user interface 240 includes a display unit 241 and an operation unit 242. The display unit 241 includes, for example, a display device 3. The operation unit 242 includes various operation devices and input devices. The user interface 240 may include a device such as a touch panel in which a display function and an operation function are integrated. Ophthalmic devices according to some exemplary embodiments may not include at least a portion of the user interface. For example, the display device and / or the operation device may be a peripheral device of an ophthalmic device.

<Front eye camera 300>
The anterior segment camera 300 captures the anterior segment of the eye E to be inspected from two or more different directions. The front eye camera 300 includes an image sensor such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. In this embodiment, two anterior eye cameras 300 are provided on the front surface (the surface facing the subject) of the fundus camera unit 2 (see the anterior eye cameras 300A and 300B shown in FIG. 4A). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4A, the front eye cameras 300A and 300B are provided at positions deviating from the optical path passing through the objective lens 22. In the present disclosure, one of the anterior segment cameras 300A and 300B may be indicated by reference numeral 300, and both may be collectively indicated by reference numeral 300. Further, the anterior segment camera that can be used instead of the anterior segment cameras 300A and 300B may be indicated by reference numeral 300.

In this embodiment, two front-eye cameras 300A and 300B are provided, but the number of front-eye cameras 300 may be any number of 1 or more. Considering the arithmetic processing described later, it is sufficient (but not limited to) a configuration in which the anterior segment can be photographed from two different directions. Alternatively, a movable anterior segment camera 300 may be provided to sequentially perform anterior segment imaging from two or more positions different from each other.

In this embodiment, two anterior segment cameras 300 are provided separately from the illumination optical system 10 and the photographing optical system 30, but for example, the anterior segment imaging can be performed using the photographing optical system 30. That is, one of the two or more front eye cameras 300 may be the photographing optical system 30. The anterior segment camera 300 according to this aspect may be capable of photographing the anterior segment from two (or more) directions different from each other.

A configuration for illuminating the anterior segment of the eye may be provided. The front eye illumination means includes, for example, one or more light sources. Typically, at least one light source (for example, an infrared light source) can be provided in the vicinity of each of the two or more front eye cameras 300.

Typically, anterior ocular imaging from two or more different directions is performed substantially simultaneously. “Substantially simultaneous” means that the timings of anterior segment imaging from two or more different directions are simultaneous, and for example, a timing difference that can ignore eye movements is also allowed. Show that. By such substantially simultaneous imaging, it is possible to image the anterior segment from two or more directions different from each other when the eye E to be inspected is in substantially the same position and orientation.

The anterior segment photography from two or more directions different from each other may be a moving image shooting or a still image shooting. In the case of moving image shooting, for example, by controlling the shooting start timings of two or more front eye cameras 300 to match, or by controlling the frame rate and the acquisition timing of each frame, the above-mentioned substantially simultaneous shooting is performed. It is possible to realize anterior segment imaging. On the other hand, in the case of still image shooting, for example, by controlling the shooting timings of two or more front-eye camera 300 to match, it is possible to realize substantially simultaneous front-eye shooting.

When photographing a model eye as described later, it is not necessary to perform such substantially simultaneous photography.

<Control system>
An example of the configuration of the control system (processing system) of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The control unit 210, the image forming unit 220, and the data processing unit 230 are provided in, for example, the arithmetic control unit 200.

<Control unit 210>
The control unit 210 includes a processor and controls each unit of the ophthalmic apparatus 1. The control unit 210 includes a main control unit 211 and a storage unit 212.

<Main control unit 211>
The main control unit 211 includes a processor and controls each element of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 (including the element shown in FIGS. 1 to 3B). The main control unit 211 is realized, for example, by the cooperation between the hardware including the circuit and the control software.

The photographing focusing lens 31 arranged in the photographing optical path and the focusing optical system 60 arranged in the illumination optical path are integrally or linked by a photographing focusing drive unit (not shown) under the control of the main control unit 211. Moved to. The retroreflector 41 provided on the measuring arm is moved by the retroreflector (RR) drive unit 41A under the control of the main control unit 211. The OCT focusing lens 43 arranged on the measuring arm is moved by the OCT focusing driving unit 43A under the control of the main control unit 211. The movement of the OCT focusing lens 43 can be performed in conjunction with the movement of the photographing focusing lens 31 and the focus optical system 60. The retroreflector 114 arranged on the reference arm is moved by the retroreflector (RR) drive unit 114A under the control of the main control unit 211. Each of the mechanisms exemplified herein typically includes an actuator such as a pulse motor that operates under the control of the main control unit 211. The optical scanner 44 provided on the measuring arm operates under the control of the main control unit 211. Further, the main control unit 211 can control any element included in the ophthalmic apparatus 1, such as a polarization controller 103, a polarization controller 118, an attenuator 120, various light sources, various optical elements, various devices, and various mechanisms. .. Further, the main control unit 211 controls arbitrary peripheral devices (devices, devices, devices, etc.) connected to the ophthalmic device 1, and controls any device, device, device, etc. accessible by the ophthalmic device 1. It may be possible.

The moving mechanism 150 moves, for example, at least the fundus camera unit 2 three-dimensionally. In a typical example, the moving mechanism 150 includes an x stage that can move in the ± x direction (horizontal direction), an x moving mechanism that moves the x stage, and a y stage that can move in the ± y direction (vertical direction). , The y-moving mechanism that moves the y-stage, the z-stage that can move in the ± z direction (depth direction), and the z-moving mechanism that moves the z-stage are included. Each of these moving mechanisms includes an actuator such as a pulse motor that operates under the control of the main control unit 211.

<Memory unit 212>
The storage unit 212 stores various types of data. The data stored in the storage unit 212 includes, for example, image data of an OCT image, image data of a fundus image, eye information to be inspected, and the like. The eye test information includes subject information such as patient ID and name, left eye / right eye identification information, electronic medical record information, and the like.

<Image forming unit 220>
The image forming unit 220 forms OCT image data based on the data acquired by the spectroscope 130. The image forming unit 220 includes a processor. The image forming unit 220 is realized, for example, by the collaboration between the hardware including the circuit and the image forming software.

The image forming unit 220 forms the cross-sectional image data based on the data acquired by the spectroscope 130. This image forming process includes signal processing such as sampling (A / D conversion), noise removal (noise reduction), filtering processing, and fast Fourier transform (FFT), as in the conventional spectral domain OCT.

The image data formed by the image forming unit 220 is a group of images formed by imaging reflection intensity profiles in a plurality of A lines (scan lines along the z direction) arranged in an area to which an OCT scan is applied. A data set containing image data (a group of A-scan image data).

The image data formed by the image forming unit 220 is, for example, one or more B-scan image data or stack data formed by embedding a plurality of B-scan image data in a single three-dimensional coordinate system. The image forming unit 220 can also perform voxelization processing on the stack data to construct volume data (voxel data). The stack data and the volume data are typical examples of the three-dimensional image data represented by the three-dimensional coordinate system.

The image forming unit 220 can process three-dimensional image data. For example, the image forming unit 220 can construct new image data by applying rendering to the three-dimensional image data. Rendering methods include volume rendering, maximum value projection (MIP), minimum value projection (MinIP), surface rendering, and multi-section reconstruction (MPR). Further, the image forming unit 220 can construct the projection data by projecting the three-dimensional image data in the z direction (A line direction, depth direction). Further, the image forming unit 220 can construct a shadow gram by projecting a part of the three-dimensional image data (three-dimensional partial image data) in the z direction. The three-dimensional partial image data is set, for example, by applying segmentation to the three-dimensional image data.

As described above, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 of this embodiment is capable of performing OCTA. When performing OCTA, the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 repeatedly scans the same area of the fundus Ef a predetermined number of times. The image forming unit 220 constructs a motion contrast image from the data set collected by this repeated scanning. This motion contrast image is an angiographic image that emphasizes the temporal change of the interference signal due to the blood flow of the fundus Ef. Typically, OCTA is applied to the three-dimensional region of the fundus Ef to obtain image data (three-dimensional angiographic image data) representing the three-dimensional distribution of blood vessels of the fundus Ef.

The image forming unit 220 can construct arbitrary two-dimensional angiographic image data and / or arbitrary pseudo three-dimensional angiographic image data from the three-dimensional angiographic image data. For example, the image forming unit 220 can construct two-dimensional angiographic image data representing an arbitrary cross section of the fundus Ef by applying the multi-section reconstruction to the three-dimensional angiographic image data. In addition, the image forming unit 200 can construct front image data from an image region (slab) corresponding to a predetermined tissue specified by applying segmentation to the three-dimensional angiographic image data. Typically, frontal image data is constructed for various depth areas such as the superficial retinal layer, the deep retinal layer, and the choroid.

<Data processing unit 230>
The data processing unit 230 executes various data processing. For example, the data processing unit 230 can apply image processing or analysis processing to OCT image data, or apply image processing or analysis processing to observation image data or captured image data. The data processing unit 230 includes a processor. The data processing unit 230 is realized, for example, by the collaboration between the hardware including the circuit and the data processing software.

Next, the functional configuration of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 realized by the elements (hardware element, software element) shown in FIGS. 1 to 3A will be described. An example of the functional configuration of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 is shown in FIG. 3B. This example provides a configuration for evaluating the ophthalmic apparatus 1 using the model eye 500.

<Model eye 500>
The model eye 500 is a model eye according to an exemplary embodiment, and is attached to the face holding portion 450 via the attachment 460 for performance evaluation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1. In this aspect, the model eye 500 is arranged at the same position as the eye E to be inspected. As a result, the alignment function of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 can be used to align the data acquisition optical system 410 with respect to the model eye 500 to facilitate the evaluation work, and further, the data acquisition optical system 410 makes it possible to facilitate the evaluation work. Not only the quality of the acquired data can be evaluated, but also the quality of the alignment performed by the alignment system 420 can be evaluated.

An exemplary configuration of the model eye 500 is shown in FIG. The model eye 500 of this example corresponds to a corneal portion 510 (corneal equivalent lens) corresponding to the cornea, an iris portion 520 corresponding to the iris, a crystalline lens portion 550 corresponding to the crystalline lens (lens equivalent to the crystalline lens), and a vitreous body. It includes a vitreous body portion 560 and a fundus portion 570 corresponding to the fundus of the eye. The number of elements included in the model eye 500 (for example, the number of lenses) is arbitrary.

The iris portion 520 forms an opening 540 corresponding to the pupil. Further, the iris portion 520 may be provided with a variable portion 530 for changing the size (opening diameter) of the opening 540. The variable portion 530 is detachable from, for example, the iris portion 520, and a plurality of members corresponding to different aperture diameters are selectively applied. Alternatively, the variable portion 530 is configured to be movable with respect to the iris portion 520. The size of the opening 540 may be fixed. The vitreous body 560 is filled with a liquid such as oil. The substance filled in the vitreous body portion 560 is arbitrary, and may be, for example, any gas, any liquid, or any solid. A gas (air) is typically present in the space between the corneal portion 510 and the crystalline lens portion 550. The substance provided in the space between the corneal portion 510 and the crystalline lens portion 550 is arbitrary, and may be, for example, any gas, any liquid, or any solid.

The fundus portion 570 has a laminated structure corresponding to the fundus of the human eye. For example, fundus 570 comprises one or more layers corresponding to any tissue of the fundus of the human eye. The tissues of the fundus include the inner limiting membrane, nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer, outer plexiform layer, outer nuclear layer, outer limiting membrane, photoreceptor layer, retinal pigment epithelial layer, and Bruch's membrane. , Choroid, sclera, etc. The thickness and refractive index of each layer of the fundus 570 may be equivalent to the thickness and refractive index of the corresponding one or more tissues. The shape of the fundus 570 is not limited to the flat plate shape as shown in FIG. 5, and may be a curved surface shape such as a spherical shape or an elliptical shape. Further, the fundus 570 may have a structure corresponding to any part or tissue of the human eye. For example, the fundus 570 may have a structure corresponding to the macula, a structure corresponding to the optic nerve head, a structure corresponding to a blood vessel, and the like. In addition, the fundus 570 may have a structure corresponding to any disease, any pathological condition, or any lesion. For example, it may have a structure corresponding to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (Drusen or the like), a structure corresponding to retinal detachment, a structure corresponding to bleeding, a structure corresponding to a tumor, a structure corresponding to atrophy, and the like.

The value of the parameter of the model eye 500 may be designed to have a value equivalent to or similar to that of the human eye. The parameter values for the model eye 500 are obtained, for example, from standard model eyes or clinical data. Standard model eyes include Gullstrand model eye, Navarro model eye, Liou-Brennan model eye, Badal model eye, Arizona model eye, Indiana model eye, any standardized model eye, and a model equivalent to any of these. There are eyes and so on. Further, the model eye 500 may be designed based on an eye having a disease such as severe myopia. Further, the model eye 500 may have a structure corresponding to any disease, any pathological condition, or any lesion. For example, the model eye 500 may have a structure corresponding to any corneal disease, any lens disease, or the like. Further, the model eye 500 may have a structure corresponding to an artificial object. For example, the model eye 500 may include an intraocular lens (IOL) or a structure corresponding thereto.

The distance between the center position of the anterior surface of the corneal portion 510 (the position corresponding to the apex of the cornea) and the anterior surface of the fundus portion 570 may be designed based on the axial length of the human eye. Further, the focal length of the corneal portion 510, the crystalline lens portion 550, and the vitreous body portion 560 as a whole may be designed to have a value equivalent to the focal length of the human eye. For example, it may have means (for example, a spacer) for changing the optical distance between the crystalline lens portion 550 and the fundus portion 570. This makes it possible to change the refractive power of the model eye 500, and for example, it is possible to evaluate imaging and measurement for an eye having a long axial length.

The reflectance of the front surface (the surface on the corneal portion 510 side) of the iris portion 520 (variable portion 530) may be designed to have a reflectance equivalent to that of the human eye. This reflectance may be, for example, the reflectance of an infrared wavelength. Similarly, the front surface of the corneal portion 510 and the like can be designed to have a reflectance equivalent to that of the human eye. Further, the model eye 500 may be designed so that the entrance pupil of the iris portion 520 (variable portion 530, opening 540) is arranged at the same position as the entrance pupil of the iris of the human eye.

The light used by the data acquisition optical system 410 (measurement light LS in this embodiment) and the light used by the alignment system 420 (in this embodiment, the wavelength band detected by the anterior segment camera 300 (for example, infrared wavelength)) In order to prevent multiple reflections in the model eye 500, it is possible to provide an antireflection film on the lens or the like or apply an antireflection paint to the internal member.

When alignment is performed using two or more anterior ocular cameras 300 (cameras having sensitivity to infrared wavelengths) as in the ophthalmic apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the following parameter values can be set, for example. First, the entrance pupil of the opening 540 may be arranged at a position approximately 3.06 mm away from the corneal portion 510. Further, the diameter of the opening 540 may be set to a value in the range of 2 to 10 mm. Further, the infrared light reflectance of the iris portion 520 (variable portion 530) may be set to a value in the range of 2.0 to 2.5%. With such a design, it is possible to perform alignment with respect to the model eye 500 with reference to the opening 540, as in the case of performing alignment with reference to the pupil of the human eye.

Even when another alignment method is used, the parameter value of the model eye 500 is set according to the method. For example, when alignment is performed using a corneal reflex image (Pulkiner image), the radius of curvature of the corneal portion 510 (the radius of curvature of the front surface of the corneal equivalent lens) may be set to approximately 7.7 mm. Similarly, when the alignment is performed using the optical lever, the radius of curvature of the corneal portion 510 (the radius of curvature of the front surface of the corneal equivalent lens) can be set to approximately 7.7 mm.

The fundus 570 is constructed using a laminate. Some exemplary embodiments of the laminate applicable to the fundus 570 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

FIG. 6A is a side view of the laminated body 600 in an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a top view of the laminated body 600. The laminate 600 includes a plurality of layers 620-1, 620-2, ..., 620-N. Here, N is an integer of 2 or more. Any one of the plurality of layers 620-1, 620-2, ..., 620-N may be represented by 620-n (n = 1, 2, ..., N). The plurality of layers 620-1, 620-2, ..., 620-N have, for example, different scattering characteristics from each other.

The shape of the layer 620-n is arbitrary, and may be formed in a flat plate shape or a curved plate shape, for example. Further, of the plurality of layers 620-1, 620-2, ..., 620-N, two layers 620-n and 620- (n + 1) (n = 1, ..., N-1) adjacent to each other. Is formed after one layer has been cured. As a result, the material of the layer 620-n and the material of the layer 620- (n + 1) do not mix with each other, and the intended characteristics of each layer are exhibited. An example of a method for producing such a laminate will be described later.

The plurality of layers 620-1, 620-2, ..., 620-N are formed on the substrate 610. The plurality of layers 620-1, 620-2, ..., 620-N and the substrate 610 are integrally formed. That is, the lower surface of the layer 620-N located at the bottom of the plurality of layers 620-1, 620-2, ..., 620-N and the upper surface of the substrate 610 are directly or indirectly bonded. Has been done. As an example of indirect bonding, an antireflection film can be arranged between the lower surface of the layer 620-N and the upper surface of the substrate 610.

The substrate 610 is typically formed of transparent crystals. Examples of the material of the substrate 610 include silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ), calcium fluoride (CaF ₂ ), aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ), magnesium fluoride (MgF ₂ ), zinc selenium (ZnSe), and germanium (Germanium). Ge), calcium carbonate (CaCO ₃ ), polymethylmethacrylate resin, polyimide resin, polyethylene resin, and at least one of polycarbonate resin can be adopted, but is not limited thereto. In some exemplary embodiments, the laminate may or may not include a substrate.

Layer 620-n has features (composition, function, characteristics) that mimic some tissues (layered tissue, membranous tissue) of the human fundus. For example, layer 620-n is one tissue of the human fundus, one sub-tissue of one tissue, a combination of two or more sub-tissues of one tissue, a combination of two or more tissues, or any of these. It has features (configuration, function, characteristics) corresponding to a combination of two or more.

The layer 620-n is formed by at least a base material and fine particles dispersed in the base material. In some exemplary embodiments, the substrates in the layers 620-1, 620-2, ..., 620-N have (substantially) equal refractive indexes to each other. The refractive index of this substrate is determined according to the refractive index of the human fundus or the refractive index of one or more substructures of the human fundus.

When the refractive index of the base material is determined according to the refractive index of the human fundus, the refractive index of the base material may be, for example, the standard refractive index of the entire human fundus or a refractive index close thereto. Alternatively, the refractive index of the base material is a refractive index (statistical value: average value, median value, etc.) statistically calculated from a plurality of standard refractive indexes corresponding to a plurality of substructures of the human fundus, or a refractive index close thereto. It may be. Alternatively, the refractive index of the base material may be the standard refractive index of a predetermined representative substructure of the human fundus or a refractive index close thereto. The standard index of refraction is obtained, for example, from standard model eyes or clinical data.

When the refractive index of the substrate is determined according to the refractive index of one or more substructures of the human fundus, the refractive index of the substrate is, for example, the standard refractive index of a predetermined portion (one or more substructures) of the human fundus or the standard refractive index thereof. It may have an approximate refractive index. Alternatively, the refractive index of the base material is a refractive index (statistical value: average value, median value, etc.) statistically calculated from two or more standard refractive indexes corresponding to two or more substructures of the human fundus, or an approximation thereof. It may be the refractive index. Alternatively, the refractive index of the base material may be the standard refractive index of a predetermined representative substructure of the human fundus or a refractive index close thereto. The standard index of refraction is obtained, for example, from standard model eyes or clinical data. One or more sub-tissues of the human fundus referred to to determine the substrate refractive index may include one or more sub-tissues of the human retina or human retina and / or one of the human choroid or human choroid. The above sub-organization may be included.

For example, the refractive index of the human retina is about 1.38, and it is considered necessary to achieve a value of about 1.40 or less in order to realize a base material refractive index equivalent to that of the human fundus. Therefore, an organosilicon compound can be used as the material of the base material. As a result, the refractive index of the base material can be reduced to about 1.41. Further, by adopting a fluorine compound as the material of the base material, the refractive index of the base material can be reduced to less than 1.40.

The characteristics considered in the design of the plurality of layers 620-1, 620-2, ..., 620-N are not limited to the refractive index (refractive index). For example, arbitrary optical characteristics such as transmittance characteristics (transmittance, transmittance) and diffusion characteristics (diffusion rate, diffusion coefficient, diffusion degree) can be considered.

In addition, scattering characteristics (scattering degree, scattering intensity, scattering coefficient) are taken into consideration in the design of the plurality of layers 620-1, 620-2, ..., 620-N. As described above, the plurality of layers 620-1, 620-2, ..., 620-N have different scattering characteristics from each other. The scattering characteristics of the layer 620-n are designed, adjusted, and controlled according to any one or more of the characteristics of the layer, the characteristics of the base material, the characteristics of the fine particles, and the characteristics of the combination of the base material and the fine particles. To determine the scattering properties of layer 620-n, for example, at least one of the type, size and amount of fine particles added is referenced.

When the scattering characteristics of the layer 620-n are determined at least according to the amount of fine particles added, the amount of fine particles added is set as the weight percent of the fine particles relative to the substrate, for example in the range of 0.001% by weight to 20% by weight. However, it is not limited to this. In some exemplary embodiments, the amount of fine particles added may be set in the range of 0.04 weight percent to 4 weight percent.

If the thickness of layer 620-n is referenced to determine the scattering properties of layer 620-n, the layer thickness can be set in the range of 5 micrometers to 500 micrometers, but is limited to this. It's not something. Further, the thickness of the laminated body 600 may be, for example, in the range of 50 micrometers to 700 micrometers, but is not limited thereto.

In order to determine the scattering characteristics of layer 620-n, as the material of the fine particles, aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium oxide (TIO ₂ ), zirconium oxide (ZrO ₂ ), calcium carbonate ( At least one of CaCO ₃ ), barium sulfate (BaSO ₄ ), polymethyl methacrylate resin, polyimide resin, polyethylene resin, and polycarbonate resin can be adopted, but is not limited thereto.

In order to determine the scattering properties of layer 620-n, the particle size of the fine particles can be set in the range of 10 nanometers to 100 micrometers, but is not limited to this.

In order to determine the scattering characteristics of the layer 620-n, at least one of spherical, spherical, needle-shaped, and star-shaped can be adopted as the shape of the fine particles, but the shape thereof is not limited to this. No.

An example of the schematic configuration of the two layers in the laminated body thus constructed is shown in FIG. The layer 620-n ₁ of FIG. 7 corresponds to any one of the plurality of layers 620-1, 620-2, ..., 620-N of FIG. 6, and the layer 620-n ₂ corresponds to the other one. Corresponds to a layer. The refractive index of the layer _{620-n 1} of the substrate _{621-n 1,} the refractive index of the layer _{620-n 2} of the base material _{621-n 2,} equal to each other. Further, the two layers 620-n ₁ and 620-n ₂ have different scattering characteristics from each other. For such control of the scattering properties, the fine particles _{622-n 1} layer _620-n in _1, the fine particles _{622-n 2} in the layer _{620-n 2,} differ from each other in both the least dimension and the amount ing.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the laminated body 600 of this example is provided with liquid storage portions 630-1, ..., 630-M. Here, M is an integer of 1 or more. Any one of one or more liquid storage units 630-1, ..., 630-M may be represented by 630-m (m = 1, ..., M). That is, the laminated body 600 is provided with one or more liquid storage portions 630-1, ..., 630-M.

An example of a method for producing the liquid storage unit 630-m and an example of the configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, in the first step (A), a capillary (capillary, tubular body) 640 that imitates a blood vessel of the fundus is prepared. Both ends of the capillary 640 are openings. The material of the capillary 640 may be, but is not limited to, at least one of _{silicon dioxide (SiO 2), polymethyl methacrylate resin, polypropylene, and vinylidene chloride resin.} The inner diameter of the capillary 640 (diameter of the hollow region) may be in the range of, for example, 10 micrometers to 300 micrometers.

Further, although not shown, a liquid in which fine particles are suspended is prepared. The base of the liquid may be, for example, water or water-based, alcohol or alcohol-based, or glycol or glycol-based, but is not limited thereto. The viscosity of the liquid may be, for example, in the range of 0.5 millipascals to 100 millipascals, but is not limited to this. Further, the material of the fine particles added to the liquid may be, for example, a metal complex (copper complex, iron complex, etc.), but is not limited thereto. The concentration of the fine particles added to the liquid may be in the range of 0.01% by weight to 5.00% by weight, but is not limited thereto.

In the next step (B), the liquid 641 in which the fine particles are suspended is injected into the capillary 640. As a result, the hollow region of the capillary 640 is filled with the liquid 641 in which the fine particles are suspended.

In the next step (C), both ends (openings) of the capillary 640 whose hollow region is filled with the liquid 641 in which the fine particles are suspended are closed. The method of closing the opening is arbitrary, for example welding is adopted. The locations at both ends of the capillary 640 closed in this way are indicated by reference numerals 642 and 643.

In the next step (D), a cover 644 that covers the closed portion 642 at the first end of the capillary 640 and a cover 645 that covers the closed portion 64 at the second end are attached.

In the final step (E), the gap between the closed portion 642 and the cover 644 of the capillary 640 is filled with the adhesive 646, and the gap between the closed portion 643 and the cover 645 is filled with the adhesive 647. By curing the adhesives 646 and 647, the liquid 641 in which the fine particles are suspended is completely sealed inside the capillary 640. As a result, a liquid storage unit 630-m in which the liquid 641 in which the fine particles are suspended is stored is obtained.

When a plurality of liquid storage units 630-1, ..., 630-M (M is an integer of 2 or more) are provided, these liquid storage units 630-1, ..., 630-M may be provided with each other. It may have different characteristics (configuration, function, characteristics). For example, the plurality of liquid storage units 630-1, ..., 630-M may have different forms from each other. Typically, the plurality of liquid reservoirs 630-1, ..., 630-M may have different shapes and / or different dimensions (length, thickness, diameter, etc.) from each other. .. Further, the plurality of liquid storage portions 630-1, ..., 630-M may be made of different materials from each other.

The plurality of liquid storage units 630-1, ..., 630-M may be configured such that the moving speeds of the fine particles suspended in the stored liquid are different from each other. To that end, any parameter with respect to the liquid and / or any parameter with respect to the fine particles can be considered. The parameters considered may be any parameters that affect the Brownian motion of the particles in the liquid. For example, the moving speed of the fine particles floating in the liquid can be controlled by adjusting any of the parameters of the viscosity of the liquid, the temperature of the liquid, and the morphology (shape, size) of the fine particles. That is, liquids having different viscosities may be stored in the plurality of liquid storage units 630-1, ..., 630-M, liquids having different temperatures may be stored, and fine particles having different dimensions are suspended. The liquid may be stored.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the liquid storage unit 630-m may be arranged so as to be inclined with respect to a predetermined axial direction 650. Axial direction 650 may be defined by model eyes (laminates 600A, 600B) and / or evaluation method. For example, the axial direction 650 may be a direction corresponding to the eye axis in a model eye (laminated body 600A, 600B) having a structure imitating an eye. Alternatively, the axial direction 650 may be the direction in which the plurality of layers in the laminated body (600A, 600B) are laminated (that is, the thickness direction, the depth direction, etc. of the laminated body). Alternatively, the axial direction 650 may be the axial direction used in OCT (that is, the z direction, the A scan direction, the measurement light incident direction, etc.). By inclining in this way, it is possible to acquire blood flow parameters (blood flow velocity, blood flow volume, etc.) in addition to the presence or absence of blood flow. That is, it is possible to evaluate the amount of Doppler shift due to the direction of blood flow.

When a plurality of liquid storage units 630-1, ..., 630-M (M is an integer of 2 or more) are provided, among these liquid storage units 630-1, ..., 630-M. At least one may be arranged at an angle with respect to the axial direction 650. Further, at least two of these liquid storage portions 630-1, ..., 630-M may be arranged at different inclination angles with respect to the axial direction 650. For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, both of the two liquid storage portions 630-m ₁ and 630-m ₂ are inclined with respect to the axial direction 650, and the liquid storage portion 630-m with respect to the axial direction 650. _{The inclination angle of 1 and} the inclination angle of the liquid storage unit 630-m ₂ with respect to the axial direction 650 may be different from each other. This makes it possible to obtain information representing the relationship between the tilt angle and the blood flow parameter. For example, the blood flow parameters for each of the different tilt angles can be determined and the evaluation can be performed accordingly. In addition, changes in blood flow parameters and sensitivities can be obtained in response to changes in the tilt angle, and evaluation can be performed accordingly.

When a model eye including a laminated body composed of a plurality of layers is adopted as in the model eye 500 of this example, the arrangement relationship between the plurality of layers and the liquid storage portion may be arbitrary. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, a liquid storage unit may be arranged between the layers. Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, the liquid storage portion 630-m may be arranged inside any layer 620-n of the laminated body. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the liquid storage unit 630-m is arranged inside the layer 620-n of the laminated body, and the liquid storage unit 630- (m + 1) is arranged inside the layer 620- (n + 1). ) May be arranged. The number of layers provided with the liquid storage portions is arbitrary, and the two layers provided with the liquid storage portions may or may not be adjacent to each other. As shown in FIG. 10C, a single liquid storage unit 630-m may be arranged over the two layers 620-n and 620- (n + 1) of the laminate. The liquid storage unit may be arranged over three or more layers. Another example of the case where a single liquid storage unit 630-m is arranged over two layers 620-n and 620- (n + 1) is shown in FIG. 10 (D). In this example, the liquid storage unit 630-m is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to a predetermined axial direction. These are some examples of model eyes that mimic the distribution of blood vessels in the fundus.

In order to easily determine the part of the model eye (fundus, laminate) to which the OCT scan for performance evaluation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 is applied, a configuration is adopted so that the liquid storage portion or its position can be recognized from the outside. be able to.

In some exemplary embodiments, it is possible to employ a configuration in which a portion of the liquid storage is exposed from the laminate. FIG. 11 is a top view of the laminated body 600C having such a configuration. The central portion 630a of the liquid storage portion 630 provided in the laminated body 600C is embedded in the laminated body 600C, and both end portions 630b and 630c are exposed from the laminated body 600C. The user can grasp the position of the liquid storage unit 630 by referring to the exposed both ends 630b and 630c. This makes it possible to determine the range to which the OCT scan for performance evaluation is applied and the orientation in which the model eye is arranged.

The embodiments that can be adopted to obtain the same effect are not limited to this. For example, the outer surface of the model eye, the outer surface of the fundus, and the outer surface of the laminate can be marked to indicate the position of the liquid storage portion embedded in the laminate. Alternatively, a transparent material may be used to form the laminate.

The orientation of the liquid storage unit when performing an OCT scan for performance evaluation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 may be arbitrary. In addition, one or more of the model eye, the fundus, and the laminated body can be movably and / or variably configured, and a part of the model eye, a part of the fundus, and a part of the laminated body. One or more can be movably and / or variably configured. For example, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the laminated body 600D can be rotatably configured around a predetermined axis, thereby changing the orientation of the liquid storage unit 630D. Is possible.

In some exemplary embodiments, the capillary may be filled with a liquid having such a high viscosity that Brownian motion of the fine particles does not substantially occur. The purpose of the evaluation of the OCTA function is to acquire a signal (motion signal) indicating the motion of fine particles in a liquid, but according to this embodiment, a signal (reference) for a state in which the motion of fine particles is substantially zero. (Signal) can be acquired and the motion signal can be analyzed using this reference signal. For example, the motion signal can be corrected by using the reference signal as an offset. Further, by treating the reference signal as a signal representing the intrinsic noise generated from the element group (optical system, processing system, etc.) for OCTA, the noise of the motion signal can be removed. The reference signal can also be used to evaluate and calibrate the model eye for acquiring the motion signal (that is, the model eye containing a capillary filled with a liquid having a low viscosity that causes Brownian motion of fine particles). can. For example, it is possible to refer to the difference (difference, ratio, etc.) between the reference signal and the motion signal in order to adjust the parameters (temperature, etc.) of the model eye for acquiring the motion signal.

<Face holding part 450, attachment 460>
The face holding portion 450 is a member that holds the face of the subject in order to fix the position of the eye E to be inspected. A general ophthalmic apparatus is provided with a chin rest and a forehead pad (see, for example, JP-A-2010-200905 and JP-A-2015-139527). The subject's chin is placed on the chin rest. The forehead of the subject is applied (contacted) to the forehead pad.

The attachment 460 is a member for attaching the model eye 500 to the ophthalmic apparatus 1. Typically, the attachment 460 is interposed between the model eye 500 and the ophthalmologic device 1. In some exemplary embodiments, the model eye 500 and the attachment 460 may be integrally configured, but in this embodiment the model eye 500 is removable from the attachment 460. For example, the model eye 500 is attached to the attachment 460, and the attachment 460 is attached to the face holding portion 450. In other words, the model eye 500 is indirectly attached to the ophthalmic apparatus 1 via the attachment 460.

The location of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 to which the model eye 500 (attachment 460) is attached is not limited to the face holding portion 450. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the model eye 500 is mounted on the outer surface of the housing accommodating the data acquisition optical system 410, or a configuration in which the model eye 500 is built in the housing. When the model eye 500 is built in the housing, the model eye 500 may be configured to be inserted into the optical path of the data acquisition optical system 410, or may be arranged in an optical path branched from the optical path of the data acquisition optical system 410. May be good. In the latter case, for example, when performing performance evaluation using the model eye 500, a total reflection mirror or a beam splitter is inserted into the optical path of the data acquisition optical system 410, and the data acquisition optical system 410 is transmitted through the branch optical path. A light (for example, measurement light LS) is directed to the model eye 500.

<Data acquisition optical system 410>
The data acquisition optical system 410 is an optical system for acquiring data of the eye E to be inspected. When evaluating the ophthalmic apparatus 1, the data acquisition optical system 410 acquires data from the model eye 500 in the same manner as when acquiring data from the eye E to be inspected. For example, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 of this embodiment can apply an OCT scan to the model eye 500 to acquire data from the fundus 570. In addition, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 of this embodiment can photograph the fundus portion 570 of the model eye 500 by using the fundus camera unit 2.

<Alignment system 420>
The alignment system 420 is configured to align the data acquisition optical system 410 with respect to the model eye 500 installed at a predetermined position.

In this embodiment, the alignment system 420 includes two front eye camera 300, a processing unit 430, and a moving mechanism 150. As described above, the two front eye cameras 300 include an image sensor having sensitivity to infrared wavelengths, and are configured to capture the model eye 500 installed at a predetermined position from two different directions. Further, the moving mechanism 150 is configured to move the data acquisition optical system 410.

<Processing unit 430>
The processing unit 430 controls the moving mechanism 150 based on two or more images of the model eye 500 acquired by the two front eye cameras 300.

The processing unit 430 is configured to execute, for example, the processing described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-248376 by the applicant. More specifically, the processing unit 430 first identifies the pupil region in each image by analyzing each of the two images of the model eye 500 acquired by the two front eye camera 300.

Next, the processing unit 430 calculates the three-dimensional movement amount of the data acquisition optical system 410 based on the two pupil regions identified from the two images. Trigonometry is used for this operation.

Further, the processing unit 430 controls the moving mechanism 150 based on the calculated three-dimensional moving amount. More specifically, the processing unit 430 moves the data acquisition optical system 410 by the calculated three-dimensional movement amount (movement amount in the x direction, movement amount in the y direction, movement amount in the z direction). Control 150.

For details of the processing executed by the processing unit 430, refer to a series of documents by the applicant regarding inventions using two or more anterior eye cameras, such as Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-248376 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-113385. Please refer. The processing unit 430 is realized by, for example, the main control unit 211 and the data processing unit 230.

The ophthalmic apparatus 1 of this embodiment may use the alignment optical system 50 to align the data acquisition optical system 410 with respect to the model eye 500. In this case, auto-alignment (described above) using the alignment index is applied to the model eye 500.

Some exemplary embodiments of the ophthalmic device may be capable of performing the XY alignment and / or Z alignment described in JP-A-2018-164616 by Applicants. XY alignment is an alignment method using a corneal reflex image (Purkinje image), and Z alignment is an alignment method using an optical beam.

When applying the method using the corneal reflex image (Purkinje image) to the alignment of the data acquisition optical system 410 with respect to the model eye 500, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 13A can be adopted instead of the configuration shown in FIG. 3B. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 13A, the alignment system 420 shown in FIG. 3B is replaced with the alignment system 420A. Of the elements shown in FIG. 13A, elements similar to those in FIG. 3B are indicated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the elements will not be repeated unless otherwise specified.

The model eye 500 of this example includes at least a corneal portion (510) corresponding to the cornea, and the radius of curvature of this corneal portion is set to approximately 7.7 mm.

The alignment system 420A includes a projection unit 421A, a photographing unit 422A, a processing unit 430A, and a moving mechanism 150.

The projection unit 421A projects a luminous flux onto the model eye 500. In particular, the projection unit 421A projects a luminous flux onto the model eye 500 from the front. Typically, the projection unit 421A is configured to project a parallel light flux onto the model eye 500 through a portion of the optical path of the data acquisition optical system 410. As a result, a bright spot image (corneal reflex image, Purkinje image) is formed on the corneal portion of the model eye 500.

The photographing unit 422A photographs the model eye 500 in a state where the light flux is projected by the projection unit 421A. A corneal reflex image is depicted in the image of the model eye 500 obtained by the photographing unit 422A. The image of the model eye 500 obtained by the photographing unit 422A is input to the processing unit 430A. The photographing unit 422A is an area sensor in which a plurality of light receiving elements (photoelectric conversion elements) are two-dimensionally arranged.

The processing unit 430A analyzes the image of the model eye 500 acquired by the photographing unit 422A to identify the corneal reflex image. This analysis includes, for example, image processing based on changes in luminance values (eg, edge detection).

Further, the processing unit 430A controls the moving mechanism 150 based on the corneal reflex image identified from the image of the model eye 500. For example, the processing unit 430A calculates the deviation of the corneal reflex image with respect to a predetermined reference position (for example, the position corresponding to the optical axis of the data acquisition optical system 410), and cancels this deviation (the corneal reflex image cancels out). Control the moving mechanism 150 (so that it is placed in the reference position). As a result, the optical axis of the data acquisition optical system 410 can be guided to the apex position of the corneal portion of the model eye 500.

For details of the processing executed by the processing unit 430A, refer to, for example, JP-A-2018-164616 and JP-A-10-024019. The processing unit 430A is realized by, for example, the main control unit 211 and the data processing unit 230.

When the method using the optical lever is applied to the alignment of the data acquisition optical system 410 with respect to the model eye 500, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 13B can be adopted instead of the configuration shown in FIG. 3B. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 13B, the alignment system 420 shown in FIG. 3B is replaced with the alignment system 420B. Of the elements shown in FIG. 13B, elements similar to those in FIG. 3B are indicated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the elements will not be repeated unless otherwise specified.

The model eye 500 of this example includes at least a corneal portion (510) corresponding to the cornea, and the radius of curvature of this corneal portion is set to approximately 7.7 mm.

The alignment system 420B includes a projection unit 421B, a photographing unit 422B, a processing unit 430B, and a moving mechanism 150.

The projection unit 421B projects a luminous flux onto the model eye 500. In particular, the projection unit 421B projects a luminous flux onto the model eye 500 from an oblique angle. Typically, the projection unit 421B is configured to project a parallel light flux onto the model eye 500 from a position outside the optical path of the data acquisition optical system 410. As a result, the luminous flux projected onto the corneal portion of the model eye 500 is reflected on the surface of the corneal portion.

The photographing unit 422B is arranged in a direction substantially symmetrical with respect to the optical axis of the data acquisition optical system 410 in the projection direction of the light flux by the projection unit 421B. Typically, the projection unit 421B and the photographing unit 422B are arranged at positions substantially symmetrical with each other with respect to the optical axis of the data acquisition optical system 410. The photographing unit 422B is typically a line sensor in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged one-dimensionally. The photographing unit 422B may be an area sensor in which a plurality of light receiving elements are two-dimensionally arranged. When the distance between the model eye 500 and the data acquisition optical system 410 is within a predetermined range, the reflected light (corneal reflex light) of the luminous flux emitted from the projection unit 421B by the corneal unit is detected by the photographing unit 422B. .. When the corneal reflex light is not detected by the photographing unit 422B, the image obtained by the photographing unit 422B is an entirely black image. On the other hand, when the corneal reflex light is detected by the photographing unit 422B, the image obtained by the photographing unit 422B includes a bright spot image. The image obtained by the photographing unit 422B is input to the processing unit 430B.

The processing unit 430B analyzes the image acquired by the photographing unit 422B to determine the presence or absence of a bright spot image, and if there is no bright spot image, sends a predetermined control signal to the moving mechanism 150. On the other hand, when there is a bright spot image, the processing unit 430B specifies the position of the bright spot image and obtains the deviation of the position of the bright spot image with respect to a predetermined reference position. In other words, the processing unit 430B identifies the address of the light receiving element that has detected the corneal reflex light among the plurality of light receiving elements of the photographing unit 422B, and determines the deviation between the address of the light receiving element and the predetermined reference address. Ask.

Further, the processing unit 430B controls the moving mechanism 150 based on the deviation thus identified. For example, the processing unit 430B controls the moving mechanism 150 so as to cancel this deviation (so that the reflected light from the cornea is detected by the light receiving element at the reference address). Thereby, the distance between the model eye 500 and the data acquisition optical system 410 can be guided to a predetermined working distance (working distance).

For details of the processing executed by the processing unit 430B, refer to, for example, JP-A-2018-164616 and JP-A-2015-146859. The processing unit 430B is realized by, for example, the main control unit 211 and the data processing unit 230.

<Evaluation Department 440>
For example, after the alignment is executed by the alignment system 420 (420A, 420B), the data acquisition optical system 410 acquires the data of the model eye 500. For example, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 aligns the data acquisition optical system 410 with respect to the model eye 500 by the alignment system 420, and then applies the OCT scan to the model eye 500 by the data acquisition optical system 410. This OCT scan is typically a scan for OCTA and applies the scan a predetermined number of times to a specific portion of the model eye 500.

The evaluation unit 440 generates evaluation information based on the data of the model eye 500 acquired after the alignment. For example, the evaluation unit 440 may be configured to generate data quality evaluation information indicating the quality of the data acquired by the data acquisition optical system 410. Further, the evaluation unit 440 may be configured to generate alignment quality evaluation information indicating the quality of the alignment performed by the alignment system.

When generating the data quality evaluation information, the evaluation unit 440 executes a predetermined data quality evaluation process. For example, as described above, when the fundus 570 of the model eye 500 has a laminated structure corresponding to the fundus of the human eye, the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 applies an OCT scan to the fundus 570 by the data acquisition optical system 410. do. The image forming unit 220 forms an image of the fundus 570 from the OCT data acquired by the data acquisition optical system 410. The evaluation unit 440 compares, for example, an image of the formed fundus 570 with a predetermined evaluation image. This evaluation image is, for example, an image of the fundus 570 with high data quality. The evaluation unit 440 can generate data quality evaluation information based on the result of comparison between the image of the fundus 570 and the evaluation image.

In this aspect, the evaluation unit 440 is configured to perform quality evaluation of OCTA data. The ophthalmologic apparatus 1 uses the data acquisition optical system 410 to cover the area of the fundus 570 including at least a part of at least one of the plurality of liquid storage units 630-1, ..., 630-M. , The OCT scan is applied a predetermined number of times. For example, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 may repeatedly apply an OCT scan to the entire fundus 570. The image forming unit 220 constructs a motion contrast image from the data set collected by this repetitive OCT scan. This motion contrast image is a simulated (pseudo) angiographic image that emphasizes the temporal change of the interference signal caused by the Brownian motion of the fine particles in the liquid storage portion 630-m. This simulated angiography image is three-dimensional image data, and the image forming unit 220 constructs arbitrary two-dimensional image data and / or arbitrary three-dimensional image data from the three-dimensional image data as described above. Is possible. The evaluation unit 440 can generate quality evaluation information of OCTA data by, for example, comparing the constructed image of the fundus 570 (OCTA image) with a predetermined evaluation image.

As another example of generating data quality evaluation information, the evaluation unit 440 can obtain the value of a predetermined evaluation parameter representing the data quality by analyzing the data acquired by the data acquisition optical system 410. This evaluation parameter may be, for example, an image quality evaluation parameter such as contrast or SN ratio. Further, the evaluation parameter may be, for example, a measurement quality evaluation parameter such as a measurement accuracy parameter or a measurement accuracy parameter.

When generating the alignment quality evaluation information, the evaluation unit 440 executes a predetermined alignment quality evaluation process. For example, the evaluation unit 440 can evaluate the alignment quality based on the time required for alignment, the processing content, and the result. The evaluation unit 440 can also evaluate the alignment error with respect to the liquid storage unit 630-m as the alignment target.

In some exemplary embodiments, the evaluation unit 440 is based on the length of time (alignment time) from the start of alignment to the arrival of a suitable alignment state (eg, a state in which the alignment error is within a predetermined range). Alignment quality evaluation information can be generated. For example, the evaluation unit 440 compares the alignment time with a predetermined threshold value, evaluates it as "low quality" when the alignment time exceeds the threshold value, and evaluates it as "high quality" when the alignment time is equal to or less than the threshold value. be able to. Alternatively, the evaluation unit 440 determines which of a plurality of predetermined ranges (high quality range, acceptable range, defective range) the alignment time belongs to, and evaluates the alignment quality based on the range to which the alignment time belongs. It may be configured to generate information.

In some exemplary embodiments, the evaluation unit 440 can generate alignment quality evaluation information based on the content of the process performed by the alignment system 420 (420A, 420B). For example, the evaluation unit 440 can generate alignment quality evaluation information based on the number of iterations of the alignment operation executed from the start of alignment to the arrival of a suitable alignment state. The alignment operation is, for example, the number of times that the processing unit 430 (430A, 430B) processes the image from the anterior eye camera 300. For example, the evaluation unit 440 compares the number of repetitions of the alignment operation with a predetermined threshold value, evaluates it as "low quality" when the number of repetitions exceeds the threshold value, and evaluates it as "low quality" when the number of repetitions is less than or equal to the threshold value. Can be evaluated as. Alternatively, the evaluation unit 440 determines which of a plurality of predetermined ranges (high quality range, acceptable range, defective range) the number of repetitions belongs to, and evaluates the alignment quality based on the range to which the number of repetitions belongs. It may be configured to generate information.

In some exemplary embodiments, the evaluation unit 440 can generate alignment quality evaluation information based on the results of processing performed by the alignment system 420 (420A, 420B). For example, the evaluation unit 440 can obtain an alignment state (for example, an alignment error) reached by the alignment system 420 performing an alignment operation for a predetermined time, and can generate alignment quality evaluation information based on the alignment error. For example, the evaluation unit 440 compares the alignment error with a predetermined threshold value, evaluates it as "low quality" when the alignment error exceeds the threshold value, and evaluates it as "high quality" when the alignment error is less than or equal to the threshold value. be able to. Alternatively, the evaluation unit 440 determines which of a plurality of predetermined ranges (high quality range, acceptable range, defective range) the alignment error belongs to, and evaluates the alignment quality based on the range to which the alignment error belongs. It may be configured to generate information.

As mentioned above, temperature is a parameter that affects the Brownian motion of fine particles in a liquid. Here, an embodiment in which the temperature of the liquid can be controlled will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration shown in FIG. 14 is obtained by adding the temperature control unit 470 to the configuration shown in FIG. 3B. The configuration in which the liquid temperature control can be performed is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration equal to the configuration shown in FIG. 3B, a configuration equal to or equal to the configuration shown in FIG. 13A, a configuration shown in FIG. 13B, or a configuration equal to this. The temperature control unit 470 or an equal element may be added to the temperature control unit 470 or any of the configurations of any other embodiment.

In the first aspect, the temperature control unit 470 is configured to keep the temperature of the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 630-m constant. For example, in the temperature control unit 470 of this embodiment, the first means for changing the amount of heat energy of the liquid, the second means for measuring the temperature of the liquid, and the temperature measured by the second means are predetermined. It includes a third means of controlling the first means to be a value. Each means may have any known configuration. For example, the first means may be a means for outputting hot and / or cold air, the second means may be a thermistor or a thermocouple sensor, and the third means may be a processor. According to this aspect, since the temperature of the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 630-m can be kept substantially constant, the state of Brownian motion of the fine particles floating in the liquid (moving speed of the fine particles, etc.) can be adjusted. It is possible to stabilize. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy, accuracy, reproducibility, etc. of the performance evaluation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1.

In the second aspect, the temperature control unit 470 is configured to change the temperature of the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 630-m. The temperature control unit 470 of this aspect may be the same as that of the first aspect. According to this aspect, since the temperature of the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 630-m can be changed to a desired temperature, the state of Brownian motion of the fine particles floating in the liquid (movement speed of the fine particles, etc.) ) Can be brought to the desired state. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy, accuracy, reproducibility, etc. of the performance evaluation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1.

<motion>
An example of the operation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 according to this aspect will be described. An example of the operation of the ophthalmic apparatus 1 is shown in FIG.

First, the model eye 500 is installed at a predetermined position for evaluating the ophthalmic apparatus 1 (S1). In this embodiment, for example, two model eyes 500 (left model eye and right model eye) are attached to the face holding portion 450 by using the attachment 460. The model eye 500 may be attached directly to the chin rest, the model eye 500 may be attached directly or indirectly to the forehead pad, or the model eye 500 may be attached directly or directly to another part of the ophthalmic apparatus 1. It may be possible to wear it indirectly.

After the model eye 500 is attached to the ophthalmologic device 1, the ophthalmologic device 1 starts alignment with the model eye 500 (S2). This alignment is performed using, for example, any of the alignment system 420 of FIG. 3B, the alignment system 420A of FIG. 13A, and the alignment system 420B of FIG. 13B.

Alignment is performed, for example, until a suitable alignment condition is achieved. Alternatively, the alignment is performed over a predetermined time. Alternatively, the alignment is performed until the number of iterations of the alignment operation reaches a predetermined number. The preferred alignment state referred to here is a state suitable for evaluating the OCTA function, and typically, a state in which the OCT scan is applied to at least one liquid storage unit 630-m. Is.

When the alignment is completed (S3), the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 applies an OCT scan to the model eye 500 (S4). This OCT scan is an OCT scan on the fundus 570 and is a repetitive OCT scan for OCTA. An OCT scan is (additionally) performed on the portion corresponding to the anterior segment of the eye (one or more of the corneal portion 510, the iris portion 520, the variable portion 530, the opening 540, and the crystalline lens portion 550). May be good. Also, a scan for evaluation of OCT function for structural imaging and / or a scan for evaluation of OCT function for functional imaging other than OCTA may be performed (additionally).

The ophthalmic apparatus 1 forms an OCTA image from the data set collected by the iterative OCT scan in step S4 by the image forming unit 220 (S5).

Further, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 generates evaluation information by the evaluation unit 440 based on the OCTA image formed in step S5 (S6). For example, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 can generate data quality evaluation information about the OCTA function by the evaluation unit 440. In addition, the ophthalmic apparatus 1 can generate alignment quality evaluation information based on the data obtained for the alignment in step S3 by the evaluation unit 440.

The evaluation information generated in step S6 is displayed on, for example, the display unit 241. Further, the evaluation information generated in step S6 is transmitted from the ophthalmic device 1 to the external device. Further, the evaluation information generated in step S6 is recorded on the recording medium. This is the end of the process of this operation example.

<OCTA image of model eye>
FIG. 16 represents an OCTA image obtained by an ophthalmic apparatus of an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 16A is a front view (OCTA front image) 700 of an OCTA image of a model eye provided with three liquid storage portions. The three liquid reservoirs provided in this model eye have the following characteristics: the three capillary morphologies (shape, length, diameter, etc.) corresponding to the three liquid reservoirs are the same; different viscosities from each other. Liquids (relatively low viscosity liquids, relatively medium viscosity liquids, relatively high viscosity liquids) are enclosed; three types of liquids with different viscosities have the same form (material, dimensions, etc.) ) Fine particles are added in the same amount (weight percent).

In the OCTA front image 700, three images (three pseudo blood vessel images) 701, 702, and 703 corresponding to the three liquid storage portions are depicted. The pseudo blood vessel image 701 is an image caused by Brownian motion of fine particles in a liquid having a relatively low viscosity (that is, an image expressing a change in light scattering due to the Brownian motion fine particles). The pseudo-vascular image 702 is an image caused by Brownian motion of fine particles in a liquid having a relatively medium viscosity (that is, an image expressing a change in light scattering due to the Brownian motion fine particles). The pseudo-vascular image 703 is an image caused by Brownian motion of fine particles in a relatively high-viscosity liquid (that is, an image expressing a change in light scattering due to Brownian motion fine particles).

That is, the pseudo blood vessel image 701 is an image expressing light scattering by fine particles moving in a liquid at a relatively high speed, and is an image of a signal having a relatively high intensity. The pseudo blood vessel image 702 is an image expressing light scattering by fine particles moving in a liquid at a relatively medium speed, and is an image of a signal having a relatively medium intensity. The pseudo blood vessel image 703 is an image expressing light scattering by fine particles moving in a liquid at a relatively low speed, and is an image of a signal having a relatively low intensity.

Image 710 of FIG. 16B is a B-scan image along the longitudinal direction of the pseudoblood vessel image 701. Image 720 of FIG. 16C is a B-scan image along the longitudinal direction of the simulated blood vessel image 702. Image 730 of FIG. 16 (D) is a B-scan image along the longitudinal direction of the simulated blood vessel image 703.

The B-scan image 710 includes an image (pseudo-blood vessel image) 711 corresponding to the pseudo-blood vessel image 701. Pseudovascular image 711 is an image caused by Brownian motion of fine particles in a liquid having a relatively low viscosity. That is, the pseudo blood vessel image 711 is an image caused by fine particles moving in the liquid at a relatively high speed, and represents a signal having a relatively high intensity.

The B-scan image 720 includes an image (pseudo-blood vessel image) 721 corresponding to the pseudo-blood vessel image 702. Pseudovascular image 721 is an image caused by Brownian motion of fine particles in a relatively medium-viscosity liquid. That is, the pseudo-blood vessel image 721 is an image caused by fine particles moving in a liquid at a relatively medium speed, and represents a signal having a relatively medium intensity.

The B-scan image 730 includes an image (pseudo-blood vessel image) 731 corresponding to the pseudo-blood vessel image 703. Pseudovascular image 731 is an image caused by Brownian motion of fine particles in a relatively high-viscosity liquid. That is, the pseudo blood vessel image 731 is an image caused by fine particles moving in the liquid at a relatively low speed, and represents a signal having a relatively low intensity.

The signal strength corresponding to the pseudo-vascular image increases as the contrast difference (contrast ratio) with the surroundings of the pseudo-vascular image increases, and decreases as the contrast difference (contrast ratio) decreases.

As can be seen from the image shown in FIG. 16, by using the model eye according to the exemplary embodiment, an OCTA image similar to the OCTA image of the human fundus can be obtained. That is, it can be said that the model eye according to the exemplary aspect has characteristics similar to those of the human fundus, at least with respect to the characteristics that can be perceived by OCTA.

<Manufacturing method of laminated body>
A method for producing a laminate according to an exemplary embodiment will be described. FIG. 17 shows an example of a method of manufacturing a laminate in which liquid storage portions are arranged between layers. As described above, the installation position of the liquid storage unit is not limited to this (see, for example, FIGS. 9 to 12). When the liquid storage unit is installed at a position other than the layers, a manufacturing method according to the installation position can be adopted.

In the example shown in FIG. 17, it is assumed that some design items of the laminated body are set in advance. Examples of such design items include the number of layers, the number of liquid storage units, the position of the liquid storage unit, and the like.

In addition, design items related to the liquid storage unit may be set in advance. For example, the form (shape, length, diameter, etc.) of the liquid storage portion, the material of the liquid, the viscosity of the liquid, the material of the fine particles, the amount of the fine particles added to the liquid, and the like can be determined in advance.

Further, the shape and dimensions (area, thickness, volume, etc.) of each layer may be set in advance. The shape and dimensions of each layer may not be set in advance. For example, the shape and dimensions of the layers may be determined and adjusted according to the state of the formed layers. In this example, for each of the plurality of layers contained in the target laminate, the amount of the base material to be separated in step S11-1 and the amount of fine particles to be separated in step S11-2 are preset (). For example, see the amount of fine particles added above).

In the laminate manufacturing method of this example, first, a predetermined number of liquid storage units are created according to predetermined design items (S10). The liquid storage unit is created as described above (see, for example, FIG. 8).

Next, the material for forming the first layer is weighed (S11). In this example, the base material is weighed (S11-1) and the fine particles added to the first layer are weighed (S11-2). These give a predetermined amount of substrate and a predetermined amount of fine particles used to form the first layer.

Next, the predetermined amount of fine particles acquired in step S11-2 is charged into the predetermined amount of the base material acquired in step S11-1 (S12).

Next, in step S12, the base material into which the fine particles are charged is agitated, and deblasting (deaeration) is performed to remove the gas dissolved in the base material (S13). Any known method is used for stirring and defoaming. As a result, unnecessary gas in the base material is removed, and fine particles are dispersed in the base material.

Next, the mixture obtained in step S13 (a substance containing at least a base material and fine particles) is processed into layers (S14). Any known method is used for this layered processing, and for example, a spin coating method may be applied.

Next, the layered mixture is cured in step S14 (S15). For this curing treatment, for example, a physical curing method by heating or the like, or a scientific curing method using a predetermined substance is used. This completes the formation of the first layer.

When the last layer of the preset number of layers is formed in the immediately preceding step S15 (S16: Yes), the target laminate is completed (end). On the other hand, when the layer formed in the immediately preceding step S15 is not the last layer among the predetermined number of layers (S16: No), the process proceeds to the next step S17. Since two or more layers are formed in this example, it is determined as "No" at this stage where only the first layer is formed, and the process proceeds to step S17.

When "No" is selected in step S16, one or more of the predetermined number of liquid storage units created in step S11 is installed at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the layer formed in the immediately preceding step S15. .. The step S17 is performed only when the liquid storage portion is arranged between the layer formed in the immediately preceding step S15 and the layer formed immediately after. That is, when "No" is selected in step S16 and the liquid storage portion is not arranged between the layer formed in the immediately preceding step S15 and the layer formed immediately after, the step of step S17 is performed. It is skipped and the process proceeds to step S18. Then, steps S11 to S15 are performed again to form the next layer. Further, the execution or skip of step S17 is selected according to the predetermined installation position of the liquid storage unit.

Steps S11 to S15 and steps S17 are repeatedly executed until it is determined as "Yes" in step S16. That is, steps S11 to S15 are repeatedly executed as many times as the number of preset layers, together with steps S17 that are appropriately executed. As a result, a laminated body containing one or more liquid storage portions having a preset arrangement and having a preset number of layers overlapped can be obtained.

According to such a laminate manufacturing method, it is possible to easily and surely produce a laminate containing a predetermined number of layers each having a predetermined characteristic and a predetermined number of pseudo blood vessels. In particular, since it is configured so that one layer is cured and then the process proceeds to the process of forming the next layer, it is possible to produce the desired laminate with high ease and high certainty.

When the laminate contains two or more layers, the same base material may be used for all the layers, or two or more base materials may be used properly. By using the same base material for all the layers, a laminated body in which all the layers have the same refractive index can be obtained.

The same fine particles may be used for all layers, or two or more fine particles may be used properly. Further, it is possible to continuously form two or more layers having the same scattering characteristics and treat these two or more layers as a single layer.

The model eye of the above exemplary embodiment comprises a laminate comprising a substrate and a plurality of layers, whereas the model eye of another exemplary embodiment does not have to have the plurality of layers. Some examples of such model eyes are described below.

It is a top view of the pseudo fundus 800 shown in FIG. 18A, and the simulated fundus 800 can be used as the fundus 570 of the model eye 500. The simulated fundus 800 includes a substrate 810. On the substrate 810, the liquid storage unit 830-m may have the same configuration as the liquid storage unit 630-m described above. The liquid storage portion 830-m is fixed to the upper surface of the substrate 810 by the fixing portions 840-1 and 840-2. The fixing mode by the fixing portions 840-1 and 840-2 is arbitrary, and may be, for example, bonding using an adhesive. In this example, a plurality of layers are not provided on the substrate 810, but the present invention is not limited to this.

When the ophthalmologic apparatus 1 applies a scan for OCTA to the pseudo fundus 800, the measurement light LS that has passed through the substantially center of the objective lens 22 is projected onto the pseudo fundus 800. The ophthalmic apparatus 1 detects the return light of the measurement light LS projected on the pseudo fundus 800 and constructs an OCTA image. Unlike the case where a plurality of layers 620-1, 620-2, ..., 620-N are provided as in the laminated body 600 of the above-described embodiment, in the pseudo fundus 800 of this embodiment, the refractive index matching (refraction) is performed. Since rate matching) is not applied, very strong specular reflection occurs. Specular reflection also occurs on the surface of the liquid storage unit 830-m (capillary). As described above, since the measurement light LS is projected from the front to the pseudo fundus 800 through the center of the objective, OCTA is strongly affected by specular reflection. That is, the return light of the measurement light LS contains a large specular reflection component. Under such a state, the state of Brownian motion in the liquid storage portion 830-m cannot be suitably grasped. In order to solve this problem, in this embodiment, the state of Brownian motion in the liquid storage portion 830-m is detected by utilizing diffuse reflection. Hereinafter, this action will be described with reference to FIG. 18B.

As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the liquid storage unit 830-m is arranged at a position outside the central region of the substrate 810. Reference numeral 850 indicates a range (observation range) to which the scan for OCTA is applied. Further, reference numeral 860 indicates a region in which the measurement light LS that has passed through the center of the objective is projected. The projection region 860 of the measurement light LS is arranged in the central region of the substrate 810.

With this configuration, the diffused reflection of the measurement light LS projected at a position outside the liquid storage unit 830-m is used without directly projecting the measurement light LS onto the liquid storage unit 830-m. Then, the state of Brownian motion in the liquid storage unit 830-m can be detected. That is, the return light of the measurement light LS projected on the projection region 860 includes the diffuse reflection light that has passed through the liquid storage portion 830-m among the diffuse reflection light in the projection region 860. Based on this diffusely reflected light, the state of brown motion in the liquid storage portion 830-m can be detected.

In the pseudo fundus 800A shown in FIG. 18C, one or more liquid storage portions 830A are provided in the central region of the substrate 810A. The liquid storage portion 830A is fixed to the upper surface of the substrate 810A by the fixing portion 840A. Reference numeral 850A indicates an observation range. When the simulated fundus 800A is used for the evaluation of the OCTA function, the projection region 860A of the measurement light LS overlaps the liquid storage unit 830A, so that strong specular reflection is mixed in the return light of the measurement light LS, and the Brownian motion in the liquid storage unit 830A. The state of is not suitable for detection. Although it is possible to adopt such a configuration, it is desirable to additionally provide means for preventing specular reflection. For example, a coating for suppressing specular reflection may be applied to the surface of the liquid storage unit 830A and / or the upper surface of the substrate 810, an optical filter for reducing or blocking specular reflection may be provided, or a specular reflection component of return light may be reduced or removed. It is possible to perform filtering processing.

FIG. 19 shows another aspect of the simulated fundus in which the liquid storage portion is arranged at a position outside the projection region of the measurement light LS. The simulated fundus 900 includes a substrate 910. On the substrate 910, M liquid storage portions 930-1, 930-2, ..., 930-M are arranged so as to form an M square (M is an integer of 1 or more). The M liquid storage portions 930-1, 930-2, ..., 930-M are fixed to the upper surface of the substrate 910 by the M fixing portions 940-1, 940-2, ..., 940-M. Has been done. Each liquid storage unit 930-m may have the same configuration as the liquid storage unit 630-m described above. Reference numeral 950 indicates an observation range. Further, reference numeral 960 indicates a projection region of the measurement light LS. Also in this embodiment, it is possible to detect the state of Brownian motion in the liquid storage portion 930-m by utilizing diffuse reflection without being affected by strong specular reflection.

<Characteristics, actions, effects>
Some features, some actions, and some effects will be described for the exemplary embodiments disclosed above.

The model eye (500) of some exemplary embodiments is used in the field of ophthalmology and includes a liquid reservoir (630-m) in which a liquid in which fine particles are suspended is stored.

According to the model eye having such a configuration, it is possible to detect the state of Brownian motion of the fine particles floating in the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion by OCTA. Thus, the model eye of the exemplary embodiment can be used as a phantom for OCTA.

Further, according to the model eye of the exemplary embodiment, since Brownian motion is used to generate the OCTA signal, a liquid flow generator for imitating blood flow is not required. Therefore, the structure of the model eye of the exemplary embodiment is simple and compact. The liquid storage portion may have a shape imitating a blood vessel, and may include, for example, a tubular body (640) in which a liquid to which fine particles are added is enclosed.

In order to further improve the action or effect by such an exemplary embodiment and / or to obtain other action or effect, various configurations or features described below are optionally adopted. Is possible.

The model eye (500) of some exemplary embodiments may include a plurality of liquid reservoirs (630-1 to 630-M). In this case, liquids having different viscosities may be stored in the plurality of liquid storage units (630-1 to 630-M). According to this configuration, it is possible to simulate a plurality of different blood flow states.

In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of liquid compartments (630-1 to 630-M) may contain liquids in which fine particles of different dimensions are suspended. According to this configuration, it is possible to simulate a plurality of different blood flow states.

In some exemplary embodiments, at least one of the plurality of liquid reservoirs (630-1 to 630-M) may be arranged at an angle with respect to the axial direction. According to this configuration, the blood vessel distribution of the human fundus can be simulated. Furthermore, since it is possible to detect signal changes due to the Doppler effect caused by Brownian motion, it is possible to use a model eye of an exemplary embodiment as a phantom for evaluating the blood flow parameter measurement function.

In some exemplary embodiments, at least two of the plurality of liquid reservoirs (630-1 to 630-M) may be arranged at different tilt angles with respect to the axial direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to simulate a plurality of different blood flow states.

The model eye (500) of some exemplary embodiments may further comprise a laminate (600) consisting of multiple layers (620-1 to 620-N). Since such a model eye has a structure similar to that of the human fundus, it can be used not only as a phantom for OCTA but also as a phantom for OCT structure imaging.

The arrangement of the liquid storage portion (630-m) in the model eye (500) of the exemplary embodiment is arbitrary. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 (A), the liquid storage unit may be arranged inside any one of the plurality of layers. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, a liquid storage unit may be provided in each of at least two layers of the plurality of layers. Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 (C) and 10 (D), the liquid storage unit may be arranged over at least two of the plurality of layers. These present non-limiting examples that mimic the mode of blood vessel distribution in the human fundus.

Also, in some exemplary embodiments, a portion of the liquid reservoir may be exposed from the laminate. In the example shown in FIG. 11, both ends of the liquid storage portion are exposed from the laminated body, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, a configuration in which only one end of the liquid storage portion is exposed from the laminated body or a configuration in which the central portion of the liquid storage portion is exposed from the laminated body can be adopted. In general, any part of the liquid storage may be exposed from the laminate. According to such a configuration, since the liquid storage portion can be visually recognized from the outside, the work of arranging the model eye with respect to the ophthalmic apparatus can be facilitated, and the application portion of the OCT scan is determined. The work can be facilitated.

In some exemplary embodiments, it is possible to employ a configuration in which the orientation of the liquid reservoir can be changed. In the example shown in FIG. 12, in the plane orthogonal to the direction (axial direction) in which the plurality of layers of the laminated body are laminated (the plane substantially corresponding to the xy plane when the OCT scan by the ophthalmic apparatus 1 is applied). The liquid storage unit is configured to be rotatable, but the orientation change mode of the liquid storage unit is not limited to this. For example, the surface to which the rotation trajectory of the liquid storage unit belongs is not limited to the xy plane, and may be any surface. Further, the rotation direction of the liquid storage unit is not limited to a single direction, and for example, rotation in any two modes of rotation in the xy plane, rotation in the yz plane, and rotation in the zx plane is possible. It may be there.

The model eye (500) of some exemplary embodiments may further include a first temperature control unit (470) for keeping the temperature of the liquid in the liquid storage unit (630-m) constant. .. According to such a configuration, the state of Brownian motion of the fine particles floating in the liquid can be stabilized, and the performance as a phantom can be stabilized. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy, accuracy, and reproducibility in the performance evaluation of the OCTA function. Although the temperature control unit 470 in the example shown in FIG. 14 is expressed as an element different from the model eye 500, at least a part of the first temperature control unit (470) is inside the model eye (500). It may be incorporated, attached to the model eye (500), or connected to the model eye (500) by wire or wirelessly.

The model eye (500) of some exemplary embodiments may further include a second temperature control unit (470) for changing the temperature of the liquid in the liquid storage unit (630-m). According to such a configuration, the state of Brownian motion of the fine particles floating in the liquid can be adjusted so as to exert a desired action as a phantom. Although the temperature control unit 470 in the example shown in FIG. 14 is expressed as an element different from the model eye 500, at least a part of the second temperature control unit (470) is inside the model eye (500). It may be incorporated, attached to the model eye (500), or connected to the model eye (500) by wire or wirelessly.

The model eye (500) according to the exemplary embodiment includes a laminate (570; 600) according to any exemplary embodiment and a lens (510, 550) capable of forming a focus on the laminate. You may.

It is possible to combine any matter disclosed in the above exemplary embodiment with the model eye of the exemplary embodiment.

The ophthalmic apparatus (1) according to the exemplary embodiment includes a data acquisition unit and a model eye. The data acquisition unit (2, 100, 210, 220; 410) has a configuration for optically acquiring eye data. The model eye (500) is used for evaluation of the data acquisition unit. The model eye includes a liquid storage unit (630-m) in which a liquid in which fine particles are suspended is stored.

By using an ophthalmic apparatus equipped with a model eye having such a configuration, the performance of the OCTA function of this ophthalmic apparatus can be evaluated by utilizing the Brownian motion of fine particles floating in the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion. Is possible.

The ophthalmic apparatus (1) of some exemplary embodiments may further include an evaluation unit (440). The evaluation unit is configured to generate evaluation information based on the data acquired from the model eye by the data acquisition unit.

According to such an aspect, since the performance can be evaluated by the ophthalmic apparatus itself, for example, adjustment and calibration after installation in a medical institution or the like can be easily performed. In addition, remote maintenance services can be provided by configuring the system to automatically perform periodic quality evaluation and transmission of evaluation results to the maintenance server. The method of using the evaluation results is not limited to these.

In some exemplary embodiments of the ophthalmic apparatus (1), the data acquisition unit may include an optical system (2, 100; 410). The ophthalmic apparatus may further include an alignment system (420, 420A, 420B). The alignment system is configured to align the optical system with respect to the model eye (500) installed at a predetermined position. In addition, the evaluation unit (440) may be configured to generate evaluation information based on the data acquired from the model eye by the data acquisition unit after the alignment.

According to such an aspect, it is possible to facilitate the evaluation work of the ophthalmic apparatus using the model eye. That is, in order to properly perform the evaluation using the model eye, it is necessary to accurately arrange the model eye with respect to the optical system of the ophthalmic device to be evaluated. However, according to the ophthalmic device of this embodiment, the model eye There is no need for complicated work such as manually adjusting the position of.

Further, according to this aspect, the ophthalmic apparatus can be evaluated with the model eye installed in a suitable alignment state. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately evaluate the ophthalmic apparatus. For example, according to this aspect, it is possible to improve the accuracy, accuracy, and reproducibility in the evaluation of the ophthalmic apparatus.

Further, according to this aspect, it is possible to evaluate not only the imaging performance and the measurement performance of the ophthalmic apparatus but also the alignment performance.

In some exemplary embodiments of the ophthalmic apparatus (1), the data acquisition unit (2, 100, 210, 220; 410) performs at least two acquisitions of data from a particular portion of the model eye (500). be able to. Further, the evaluation unit (440) can generate evaluation information based on two or more data acquired from a specific portion of the model eye by the data acquisition unit. By adopting this configuration, it becomes possible to evaluate the performance of the OCTA function by the ophthalmic apparatus itself.

It is possible to combine any matter disclosed in the above exemplary embodiment with the ophthalmic apparatus of the exemplary embodiment.

The above disclosure is merely an example of the practice of the present invention. A person who intends to carry out the present invention can make arbitrary modifications (omission, substitution, addition, etc.) within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

1 Ophthalmic device 500 Model eye 630-m (m = 1, ..., M; M is an integer of 1 or more) Liquid storage unit

Claims (20)

A model eye used in the field of ophthalmology
Including a liquid storage unit in which a liquid in which fine particles are suspended is stored,
Model eye. Including the plurality of said liquid storage parts,
The model eye of claim 1. The liquids having different viscosities are stored in the plurality of liquid storage units.
The model eye of claim 2. The liquids in which the fine particles having different dimensions are suspended are stored in the plurality of liquid storage units.
The model eye of claim 2 or 3. At least one of the plurality of liquid storage portions is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the axial direction.
A model eye according to any one of claims 2 to 4. At least two of the plurality of liquid storage portions are arranged at different inclination angles with respect to the axial direction.
The model eye of claim 5. The liquid storage portion is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the axial direction.
The model eye of claim 1. Further including a laminate consisting of a plurality of layers,
The model eye according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The liquid storage is arranged inside any one of the plurality of layers.
The model eye of claim 8. The liquid storage unit is provided in each of at least two of the plurality of layers.
The model eye of claim 8. The liquid storage is arranged over at least two of the plurality of layers.
The model eye of claim 8. A part of the liquid storage portion is exposed from the laminated body.
The model eye of claim 8. The orientation of the liquid storage unit can be changed.
The model eye according to any one of claims 1 to 12. A first temperature control unit for keeping the temperature of the liquid constant is further included.
The model eye according to any one of claims 1 to 13. A second temperature control unit for changing the temperature of the liquid is further included.
The model eye according to any one of claims 1 to 14. The liquid storage includes a tubular body containing the liquid.
The model eye according to any one of claims 1 to 15. A data acquisition unit for optically acquiring eye data,
An ophthalmic apparatus including a model eye for evaluation of the data acquisition unit.
The model eye includes a liquid storage portion in which a liquid in which fine particles are suspended is stored.
Ophthalmic equipment. Further including an evaluation unit that generates evaluation information based on the data acquired from the model eye by the data acquisition unit.
The ophthalmic apparatus of claim 17. The data acquisition unit includes an optical system and includes an optical system.
It further includes an alignment system that aligns the optical system with respect to the model eye installed at a predetermined position.
After the alignment, the evaluation unit generates the evaluation information based on the data acquired from the model eye by the data acquisition unit.
The ophthalmic apparatus of claim 18. The data acquisition unit acquires data from the specific part of the model eye at least twice.
The evaluation unit generates the evaluation information based on two or more data acquired from the specific portion by the data acquisition unit.
The ophthalmic apparatus of claim 18 or 19.

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