JP3735241B2 - An eyeball protection cap and an eyeball microscope apparatus including the same. - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an eyeball microscope apparatus and a method for suppressing reflected light from a cornea.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in an eyeball microscope, a corneal microscope apparatus for observing or photographing a cell layer of the cornea is known. The corneal microscope apparatus includes a contact-type apparatus that observes the cornea by bringing the tip of the apparatus (the objective lens part of the microscope) into contact with a patient's cornea, and a non-contact that observes the cornea without contacting the tip. A corneal microscope is known.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The contact-type corneal microscope device makes the objective lens part of the microscope come into contact with the cornea, so it is not easily affected by the reflected light on the cornea, and observes the cell layers of each cell layer (epithelium, Bowman membrane, endothelium, etc.) However, it is very burdensome for the patient to use a part of the apparatus body while contacting a part of the cornea. In addition, contact-type devices must be careful about infectious diseases.
[0004]
On the other hand, since the non-contact type corneal microscope apparatus is used without bringing the objective lens into contact with the cornea, the burden on the patient is small, and there is little concern about infection. However, since this apparatus is easily affected by the reflected light on the cornea, it is difficult to satisfactorily observe a cell layer near the surface of the cornea, such as the corneal epithelium, and the observation area becomes narrow.
[0005]
In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide an eyeball microscope apparatus that can perform favorable observation and photographing without bringing the microscope portion into contact with the cornea.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration.
[0007]
(1) In an eyeball microscope apparatus for observing or photographing an eyeball, a microscope unit having an objective lens and having a confocal optical system, and a cap for protecting an eyeball disposed between the objective lens and a patient's eyeball And a cap made of a translucent member having a bottom portion positioned on the objective lens side and having an edge of an opening to be in close contact with the periphery of the patient's eye, and the cap is substantially filled with a translucent liquid It is characterized by having used the structure.
[0008]
(2) In the eyeball microscope apparatus according to (1), the bottom surface of the cap is formed of a material having a refractive index that is equal to or close to the refractive index of the cornea.
[0009]
(3) In the eyeball microscope device of (1), an antireflection film is provided on the bottom surface of the cap.
[0010]
(4) In the eye microscope apparatus of (1), the refractive index of the liquid substantially filled in the cap is the same as or close to the refractive index of the cornea.
[0011]
(5) A cap for protecting an eyeball having an edge of an opening closely attached to the periphery of a patient's eye, wherein the bottom surface located on the opposite side of the opening has a refractive index that is equal to or approximates the refractive index of the cornea The cap formed in (1) is disposed in front of the patient's eye, and the cap is used by being substantially filled with a liquid having the same or approximate refractive index of the cornea.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a corneal microscope apparatus which is a kind of eyeball microscope apparatus.
[0013]
Reference numeral 1 denotes a corneal microscope apparatus main body. A top plate 9 is provided in the middle of the apparatus main body 1, and the gantry 4 is installed on the top plate 9. Reference numeral 2 denotes a microscope unit incorporating a confocal optical system, which will be described later, and an objective lens unit 3 for irradiating observation light (illumination light) and observing the cornea is provided at the tip of the microscope unit 2.
[0014]
A drive means (not shown) composed of a motor or the like is installed in the gantry 4, and the microscope unit 2 can be moved in the front-rear and left-right directions by using the joystick 6 placed on the top plate 9. It is. 6a is a switch for moving the microscope unit 2 in the vertical direction. 6b is a switch for photographing and storing an image of the corneal tissue layer to be observed.
[0015]
Reference numeral 5 denotes a display for projecting a corneal tissue layer photographed by a high-sensitivity camera 34 described later through the objective lens unit 3 and observing each layer of the cornea. Reference numeral 7 denotes a face holder provided with a forehead support and a chin rest for fixing and holding the patient's face. The chin rest can move up and down, thereby adjusting the height of the patient's eyes.
[0016]
Reference numeral 8 denotes a computer unit for storing and analyzing the data of the corneal tissue layer to be imaged, and reference numeral 10 denotes a keyboard for instructing the computer unit 8. Various analysis results of the corneal tissue layer are displayed on the display 5. Reference numeral 11 denotes an eye protection cap that covers the patient's eyes. When the cornea is observed, the cornea is observed by covering the eye with a liquid such as water in the eye protection cap 11. Details of corneal observation using the eye protection cap 11 will be described later.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an optical system installed in the microscope unit 2.
[0018]
The illumination optical system and the observation optical system of the corneal microscope apparatus used in the present embodiment are configured by a confocal optical system using slit light.
[0019]
Reference numeral 20 denotes a light source that emits illumination light, and a halogen lamp is used. The lamp light source may be a more powerful lamp such as a mercury lamp. 21 and 22 are condenser lenses, 23 is a filter that absorbs infrared light and ultraviolet light, and 24 is a collimator lens for uniformly illuminating the entire slit. Reference numeral 25 denotes a slit plate, which is provided with slit aperture stops 25a and 25b having the same width at two positions on the left and right. The slit aperture stop 25a is located in the illumination optical path, and the slit aperture stop 25b is located in the optical path of the observation optical system. The slit plate 25 is reciprocated (scanned) by a predetermined width in the direction of arrow A by driving means (not shown). Reference numeral 26 denotes a projection lens, reference numerals 27 and 28 denote reflection mirrors, and reference numeral 29 denotes an objective lens. An illumination optical system is configured by the optical members described above.
[0020]
Here, the position of the slit aperture stop 25 a is a conjugate position with the focal position E ₀ by the projection lens 26 and the objective lens 29. The objective lens 29 is a long-acting lens having a long focal distance, and the focus position of the slit image is positioned on the cornea in a state where the eye protection cap 11 is put on the patient's eye E. .
[0021]
The observation optical system includes an objective lens 29 shared with the illumination optical system, reflection mirrors 30 and 31, a condenser lens 32, a slit aperture stop 25b of the slit plate 25, an imaging lens 33, and a high-speed camera 34. Condensing lens 32 and the focal position E ₀ and the slit aperture stop 25b has its installation position is determined to be a conjugate position.
[0022]
The high-speed camera 34 is equipped with a high-sensitivity light amplification image device, which converts the optical image into an electronic image by performing sensitivity amplification, converts the electronic image into a visible light image again on the phosphor screen, and more than the incident light. An optical image can be taken out.
[0023]
The illumination light beam emitted from the light source 20 of the illumination optical system is condensed by the condenser lens 21 and the condenser lens 22 placed on the optical axis L1, and then passes through the filter 23, whereby infrared light and ultraviolet light are converted. Cut. The light beam that has passed through the filter 23 uniformly illuminates the entire slit aperture stop 25 a by the collimator lens 24. The light beam that has passed through the slit aperture stop 25 a passes through the projection lens 26 and is reflected by the reflection mirror 27 and the reflection mirror 28.
[0024]
The illumination light beam reflected by the reflection mirror 28 passes through the objective lens 29, and forms an image on the cornea (corneal cell layer) of the patient eye E through the eye protection cap 11 that covers the patient eye E. The reflected light image of the slit formed on the cornea passes through the objective lens 29 again and is reflected by the reflection mirrors 30 and 31. The reflected light images reflected by the reflecting mirrors 30 and 31 are picked up by a high-speed camera 34 through a condenser lens 32, a slit aperture stop 25b, and an imaging lens 33 placed on the optical axis L2. At this time, since the slit plate 25 is reciprocated at a high speed with a predetermined width in the A direction, the range actually displayed on the display 5 is the range in which the slit aperture stop is reciprocating.
[0025]
Next, the configuration of the eye protection cap 11 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the drawing, the eye protection cap 11 has a cup shape having an opening on the upper surface. At the time of observation / photographing in each layer of the corneal tissue, since the eye protection cap 11 is put on the patient's eye, the material for forming the eye protection cap 11 is preferably a highly transparent material. In this case, the entire eye protection cap 11 does not necessarily have to be transparent, and only the flat bottom surface portion 11b (surface facing the objective lens portion 3) may be formed of a light-transmitting material. . Furthermore, it is preferable to apply an antireflection film on both sides of the bottom surface portion 11b.
[0026]
Further, while the patient's eye E is being observed and photographed, the liquid 12 having translucency such as water is placed in the eye protective cap 11, so that the liquid 12 does not leak out. The edge 11a of the opening is shaped so as to be in close contact with the shape around the eye. When the eye protection cap 11 is put on the patient's eye, the lower cup height is positioned on the nose side and used in common for the left and right eyes.
[0027]
The liquid 12 is used to suppress the reflected light on the corneal surface that obstructs observation and imaging of the corneal tissue layer. Therefore, the refractive index of the liquid 12 put in the eye protection cap 11 is preferably the same as or close to the refractive index of the cornea (about 1.376). For example, water or physiological saline (about 1.333 to 1.336) Is preferably used. Furthermore, in addition to the water and physiological saline described above, any liquid that does not have a harmful effect on the human body and has a refractive index close to that of the cornea is suitable while suppressing reflected light on the cornea surface. Can be used for
[0028]
In addition, the material forming the eye protection cap 11 also suppresses the reflected light generated between the liquid 12 and the eye protection cap 11 as long as the material has a refractive index that is the same as or close to the refractive index of the liquid 12. Can do. In the present embodiment, since the liquid to be used uses water having a refractive index of about 1.333, a fluorine-based resin having a refractive index close to that of water and high transmittance is used.
[0029]
An operation of the eyeball microscope having the above configuration will be described.
[0030]
The operator holds the patient's face on the face holding unit 7 and moves the chin rest up and down to adjust the height of the patient's eye E in advance. Next, the face is once separated from the face holding part 7, and after putting an appropriate amount of water into the eye protection cap 11, it is put on the eye to be examined while being careful not to spill water. When the eye protection cap 11 is put on the patient's eye E, the patient himself / herself holds the eye protection cap 11 on the patient's eye E and holds the hand with the eye protection cap 11 as it is. .
[0031]
Further, the amount of water to be put into the eye protection cap 11 is sufficient if it is sufficient to immerse the entire patient's eye E, but it is not necessary to be limited to this, and the portion of the cornea that is to be examined is sufficiently immersed. It only needs to contain the amount of water.
[0032]
When the eye protection cap 11 is put on the patient's eye E, the face is placed on the face holding unit 7 again, and the patient's face is fixedly held. Next, the operator uses the joystick 6 to visually adjust the position of the final emission end 3 so as to be substantially coaxial with the patient's eye E. When the patient's eye E and the final emission part 3 are substantially coaxial, the operator uses the joystick 6 to further anteroposteriorly, right and left, left and right so that the corneal endothelium image is projected most clearly while looking at the display 5. Finely move the microscope unit 2 in the vertical direction and aim.
[0033]
In the conventional contact-type corneal microscope apparatus, observation, photographing, and the like were performed in a state where the cornea and the tip of the apparatus were in contact with each other, and there was a concern about infectious diseases. However, in this embodiment, since each tissue layer of the cornea is observed through the eye protection cap 11, there is no need to worry about infectious diseases. Moreover, since an instrument does not contact an eyeball, it can observe while suppressing the psychological anxiety to a patient.
[0034]
When the microscope unit 2 is aimed, the operator uses the switch 6b on the joystick 6. When the switch 6b is pressed, the microscope unit 2 is driven in the front-rear direction by a predetermined amount (about the thickness of the cornea) and stores video data of each tissue layer of the cornea in the computer 8. Corneal observation is performed by projecting the stored video data on the display 5 again. The illumination light that has passed through the objective lens 29 by the illumination optical system is reflected by the bottom surface portion 11b of the eye protection cap 11, but this is far away from the focal length of the objective lens 29. Do not enter 34. In the present embodiment, a substance close to the refractive index of the cornea is interposed between the cornea and the microscope unit 2 to suppress reflected light that interferes with observation that occurs on the cornea, so that it is close to the surface of the cornea. It is also possible to observe the tissue layer.
[0035]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the eye protection cap 11 containing a liquid having a refractive index close to the refractive index of the cornea is attached to the patient's eye for observation, thereby suppressing reflected light on the cornea. However, if it is desired to suppress even the reflected light generated at the bottom surface portion 11b of the eye protection cap 11, a gel 40 is placed between the eye protection cap 11 and the most advanced portion 3 as shown in FIG. Add it. The refractive index of the gel used at this time is preferably close to the refractive index of the eye protection cap 11.
[0036]
In this embodiment, a corneal microscope apparatus for observing the cornea is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is applicable to an eyeball microscope apparatus in which it is desirable to reduce unnecessary reflected light on the cornea. Can do.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the eyeball microscope apparatus does not come into contact with the eyeball, it is possible to remove the worry of infection and the anxiety of the patient. Further, since there is little extra reflected light on the cornea, each tissue layer of the cornea can be observed without contact.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic external view showing a corneal microscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of an optical system.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of an eye protection cap.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modified example of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 2 Microscope part 3 Objective lens part 5 Display 6 Joystick 11 Eye protection cap 20 Light source 21 Condenser lens 22 Condenser lens 23 Filter 24 Collimator lens 25 Slit plate 26 Projection lens 29 Objective lens 32 Condensing lens 33 Imaging lens 34 High speed camera

Claims (5)

In an eyeball microscope apparatus for observing or photographing an eyeball, a microscope unit having an objective lens and having a confocal optical system, and an eye protection cap disposed between the objective lens and a patient's eyeball, the patient eye And a cap made of a translucent member at the bottom of the objective lens and having an opening edge to be closely attached to the periphery of the lens, and the cap is filled with a translucent liquid for use. An ophthalmic microscope apparatus characterized by having a configuration to perform. 2. The ocular microscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the cap is formed of a material having a refractive index equal to or close to a refractive index of the cornea. The eyeball microscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an antireflection film is provided on a bottom surface of the cap. The eyeball microscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the liquid substantially filled in the cap is the same as or close to the refractive index of the cornea. A cap for protecting an eyeball having an edge of an opening to be in close contact with the periphery of a patient's eye, wherein a bottom surface located on the opposite side of the opening is formed of a material having a refractive index equivalent to or close to the refractive index of the cornea An eye protection cap, wherein the cap is placed in front of the patient's eye and the cap is used by substantially filling a liquid having the same or similar refractive index as that of the cornea.

Images