JP4606069B2 - Ophthalmic measuring device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ophthalmologic measurement apparatus including a calibration unit that performs predetermined ophthalmic measurement on an eye to be examined and calibrates the ophthalmic measurement.

  Conventionally, an ophthalmic measuring device called a flare meter that irradiates a subject's eye with laser light, condenses and scans the inside of the anterior chamber, analyzes scattered light from cells in the anterior chamber, and performs predetermined ophthalmic measurements. It has been known.

In this type of ophthalmic measurement apparatus, a technique for performing calibration related to ophthalmic measurement by arranging a calibrator at a position to be occupied by an eye to be examined is known (for example, Patent Document 1 below).
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-051229

  The calibrator as described in Patent Document 1 is separate from the ophthalmic measuring apparatus, and the user needs to perform the detaching operation in order to calibrate in the user environment. There was a problem that it was likely to occur. In addition, it is up to the user whether or not proper calibration is performed even though it is necessary to perform calibration work at an appropriate frequency to maintain the measurement accuracy of the device. Despite the decrease in data reliability, the conventional configuration cannot prevent it.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily calibrate an ophthalmologic measuring apparatus at an appropriate frequency without causing loss of a calibrator.

In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, a laser beam is irradiated on the eye to be examined, condensed in the anterior chamber and scanned, and scattered light from the anterior chamber is analyzed to perform a predetermined ophthalmic measurement. In the ophthalmologic measurement apparatus, as a measurement object for the calibration of the ophthalmic measurement, with respect to the apparatus main body, the calibration means used by being arranged at a calibration position equivalent to the position to be occupied by the eye to the apparatus main body, And a support unit that supports the calibration unit so as to be movable to the calibration position or the storage position, and when the calibration process using the calibration unit has not been performed for a predetermined period or longer, the calibration process is performed on the condition. When the measurement is started and the ophthalmic measurement is performed without performing the calibration process in response to a predetermined user operation, a mark is displayed to indicate that the reliability of the measurement value may be lowered. Associate Adopting a structure for storing or outputting a constant result.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to reliably solve the conventional problem such as the loss of the calibrator, and it is possible to calibrate the ophthalmic measuring apparatus easily and surely at an appropriate frequency. There is.

  Below, the structure of the ophthalmic measuring apparatus which integrated the calibrator is illustrated.

  1 to 6 show the configuration of a flare meter as an ophthalmologic measuring apparatus employing the present invention. 1 to 4 are perspective views from the front of the apparatus (on the subject side), FIG. 5 is a top view, and FIG. 6 is a side view.

  In the following, first, the overall configuration of the apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 (FIGS. 3 and 4 show a configuration for shielding light in particular, and FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 will be described in detail later).

  1, 2, 5, and 6, the main body 10 of the apparatus is movably disposed on a gantry 11, and the subject's head (especially the subject's eye) on a chin 13 disposed in front of the gantry 11. ) To a desired position.

  The upper surface of the main body 10 on the side opposite to the jaw table 13 is configured as an operation unit 14 including a display unit 142 and a keyboard 143. The keyboard 143 includes various operation switches and a joystick 143 a for moving the main body 10 on the gantry 11.

  An optical head 12 is supported on the upper part of the main body 10, and as shown in FIG. 1, the optical head 12 has a light receiving measurement optical system 121 for measuring scattered light and an observation optical system for observing the anterior segment. 122, a light projection / calibration unit 123 for performing illumination light scanning required for scattered light measurement.

  As shown by the broken lines in FIG. 1, the optical axes of the light receiving measurement optical system 121, the observation optical system 122, and the light projecting optical axis of the light projecting / calibration unit 123 are in the direction of the eye to be examined (not shown) on the jaw table 13. Is directed.

  As is clear from the name of the member 123, in the present embodiment, the light projecting / calibrating unit 123 serves as both the light projecting unit and the calibration means, and the calibration means of the ophthalmic measurement apparatus is thereby integrated with the ophthalmic measurement apparatus itself. Has been.

  The light projecting / calibrating unit 123 is rotatably supported by the optical head 12 (or the upper part of the main body 10) via a support column 124 (arrow A in FIG. 5), and the light projecting / calibrating unit 123 is in the normal position (stored in FIG. 1). Position) and the calibration position shown in FIG. Whether the light projection / calibration unit 123 is in the normal position in FIG. 1 or the calibration position in FIG. 2 can be detected by a sensor (a limit switch or an optical sensor) (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 5, a light projecting light source unit 200 for measuring and calibrating scattered light is disposed at the center of the column 124. Although only one part of the light projecting light source unit 200 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the detailed structure thereof will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The light projecting optical axis (arrow B in FIG. 5) of the light projecting light source unit 200 does not change even when the light projecting / calibrating unit 123 is moved to any of the normal position in FIG. 1 or the calibration position in FIG.

  A calibration plate made of a standard scattering plate is disposed at the end of the projection / calibration unit 123 opposite to the projection light source unit 200. The broken lines 123b and 123d in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 indicate this calibration plate, and the broken lines 123a and 123c indicate the position of a calibration mirror which will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light projection / calibration unit 123 is moved to the calibration position, that is, in FIG. 5, the light projection / calibration unit 123 is moved from the solid line position to the position indicated by the thin line. The calibration plate and the calibration mirror are moved from the positions of the broken lines 123b and 123a to the positions of the broken lines 123d and 123c, respectively. In this calibration position, the calibration plate can be scanned with the scanning light of the light projecting light source unit 200 of the light projecting / calibrating unit 123, and the diffused light can be emitted in the direction of the light receiving measurement optical system 121 with a broken line 123b (123d). The position of the calibration plate shown may be determined in advance.

  12 and 13 show in detail the turning structure of the light projecting / calibrating unit 123 and the structure of the light projecting light source unit 200 inside.

  12 and 13, the calibration plate and the calibration mirror are indicated by reference numerals 201 and 202, respectively (in order to show the relation with FIG. 5, the reference numerals indicating the positions of these members in FIG. 5 are also shown in parentheses. is there).

  The support column 124 disposed so as to protrude from the main body 10 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and is coupled to the main body 10 and the rigid body by a flange at the base portion. Inside the main body 10 and the support column 124, main parts of a light source for measurement / calibration, that is, a laser element 203, a lens group 204, a scanning mirror 205, and a mirror 206 are arranged. The angle of the scanning mirror 205 is controlled by a control means such as a CPU, which will be described later, in order to perform a two-dimensional scanning of an object performed by a known flare meter or the like.

  In FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the main part of the light projecting light source unit 200 is arranged inside the main body 10, but it may of course be arranged inside the column 124.

  A window 124a is disposed in front of the column 124 (in the direction toward the eye to be examined). The window 124a is for emitting the scanning light of the light projecting light source unit 200 from the mirror 206, and its position is fixed.

  The light projecting / calibrating unit 123 is rotatably supported on the column 124 configured as described above as shown in the figure. FIG. 12 shows a state where the light projection / calibration unit 123 is in the measurement position, and FIG. 13 shows a state where the light projection / calibration unit 123 is in the calibration position.

  The light projecting / calibrating unit 123 has a hollow box shape as shown (both ends are semicircular in the example shown, but such a design is optional), and is arranged at the end opposite to the support column 124. A calibration plate 201 and a calibration mirror 202 are arranged.

  A window 125 a is provided at the end of the light projection / calibration unit 123 on the column 124 side. The state of the window 125a coincides with the window 124a of the column 124 in the measurement position of FIG.

  Further, a window 126 is provided on the side surface of the light projecting / calibrating unit 123 for emitting the diffused light of the calibration plate in the direction of the light receiving measurement optical system 121 at the calibration position (FIG. 13) (FIGS. 1 and 5). Etc.)

  As shown in detail in FIGS. 12 and 13, the number of parts of the apparatus is increased by adopting a configuration in which the light projection / calibration unit 123 is a rotary type and the light source used for measurement and calibration is shared. In addition, since the calibration means is integrated in the apparatus, problems such as loss of the calibrator do not occur.

  Next, the configuration of FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described. 3 and 4 show a structure in which a light shielding unit for preventing disturbance light that adversely affects measurement and calibration from entering the light receiving measurement optical system 121, the observation optical system 122, and the light projecting / calibration unit 123 is provided. It is shown.

  In the configuration of FIG. 3, the light shielding box 15 that covers the light receiving measurement optical system 121, the observation optical system 122, and the light projecting / calibration unit 123 of the optical head 12 configured similarly to FIGS. 1 to 2 is shielded. It is used as a means. The light shielding box 15 is detachable and is positioned by an appropriate positioning means with respect to the optical head 12 or the main body 10.

  The front portion and the side portion of the light shielding box 15 have an opening 15 a so that the light receiving measurement optical system 121, the observation optical system 122, and the light projecting / calibrating unit 123 can be seen. By providing an opening 15a to the side of the light shielding box 15 as shown in the figure, the light projecting / calibration unit 123 can freely move between the normal position (measurement position) and the calibration position with the light shielding box 15 attached. Can be made.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the light receiving measurement optical system 121, the observation optical system 122, and the light projecting / calibrating unit 123 are used while preventing disturbance light that adversely affects measurement and calibration by covering the light shielding box 15 as shown in FIG. Anterior eye observation, scattered light measurement, or calibration can be performed.

  By using such a light shielding box 15, the pupil of the eye to be examined can be opened to some extent even in a semi-dark room or a room with normal brightness, so that ophthalmic diagnosis and measurement can be facilitated.

  In the configuration of FIG. 4, a light shielding curtain 16 made of cloth, a plastic sheet, or the like is disposed in the opening 15 a of the light shielding box 15 of FIG. 3 so as to cover a corner portion of the opening 15 a. In the configuration in which the opening 15a of the light shielding box 15 is provided up to the side portion as shown in FIG. 3, disturbance light from the side portion is likely to enter, but by providing the light shielding curtain 16 as shown in FIG. The disturbance light can be effectively eliminated. If the light shielding curtain 16 is made of a flexible material such as cloth or a plastic sheet, the movement of the light projecting / calibrating unit 123 is not hindered.

  FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the control system of the ophthalmologic measurement apparatus according to this embodiment. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU. The CPU 101 controls input / output with respect to the display unit 142 and the keyboard 143 of the operation unit 14, and controls each part of the apparatus, for example, an optical system and other movable parts via the interface circuit 104. Various motors / solenoids 105 to be controlled, various sensors 106, light receiving elements 107 included in the light receiving measurement optical system 121 and used for calibration and measurement, and illumination included in the light projecting light source unit 200 used in the light projecting / calibrating unit 123 The operation of the light source 108 (laser element 203 described later) and the like are controlled.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the sensor 106 has at least the rotation position of the light projecting / calibration unit 123, in particular, the light projecting / calibration unit 123 is any of the normal position (measurement position) in FIG. 1 or the calibration position in FIG. Or a light sensor for detecting the brightness in the vicinity of the optical head 12 used in the control described later (however, a light receiving element (107) included in the light receiving measurement optical system 121 and a light sensor for exposure control). Etc. are not necessary).

  Connected to the CPU 101 are a ROM 102 storing control procedures described later as a control program for the CPU 101, and a RAM 103 used as a control work area described later or a work area for image processing.

  Next, the operation in the above configuration will be described.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the calibration means is integrated with the light projecting system to constitute the light projecting / calibrating unit 123, and the light projecting / calibrating unit 123 is changed from the normal position (measurement position) in FIG. 1 to the calibration position in FIG. The ophthalmologic measuring apparatus can be calibrated by moving to. The light projection / calibration unit 123 can be easily moved between the normal position (measurement position) in FIG. 1 and the calibration position in FIG.

  By integrating the calibrating means with the light projecting system and forming the light projecting / calibrating unit 123, the conventional problem that the user loses the calibrator can be reliably solved. Further, the user can easily perform the calibration work simply by moving the light projection / calibration unit 123 between the normal position (measurement position) in FIG. 1 and the calibration position in FIG. Without giving it, the user can regularly perform a predetermined calibration operation, and thus, an accurate ophthalmic measurement can be performed.

  Furthermore, by performing the control as shown in FIG. 7 by the CPU 101, the calibration process can be surely performed at a predetermined interval, and the measurement result can be used effectively.

  The control procedure in FIG. 7 may be stored in a predetermined storage medium such as the ROM 102 as a control program for the CPU 101. In the control of FIG. 7, it is assumed that the previous calibration result is stored in the RAM 103 or other non-volatile memory in order to reflect the calibration result in the measurement, and data relating to the calibration execution date is stored. In addition, it is assumed that the elapsed time from the calibration execution date and time can be measured by the timing routine (or other timing element) of the CPU 101. Further, the state of each part of the apparatus such as the position of the light projecting / calibration unit 123 and the mounting state of the light shielding box 15 in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be detected by appropriate detection means (such as an optical sensor or a limit switch).

  When the apparatus is turned on in step S1 of FIG. 7, the CPU 101 initializes each part of the apparatus. Subsequently, in step S2, the CPU 101 checks the elapsed time from the previous calibration, and the predetermined period from the previous calibration. It is determined whether or not the above has elapsed. This predetermined period corresponds to the time interval at which calibration is to be performed, and is set in advance to an arbitrary length such as several hours, weeks, months, etc. according to the specifications of the apparatus. If step S2 is affirmed, a new calibration should be performed, so the process proceeds to step S3, and if not, the process proceeds to step S12.

  If calibration is required, a message 81 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 142 in step S3. FIG. 8 also suggests to some extent that the apparatus needs to be calibrated, and further, the calibrator (light projection / calibration unit 123) is rotated and set. Such a message may be output by synthetic voice or the like. In the example of FIG. 8, a button 82 for proceeding with the measurement after the calibration process is displayed (for the time being). The button 82 is operated using a pointing device (such as a mouse) or a cursor key on the keyboard 143.

  In step S4, it is determined whether or not the button 82 for postponing the calibration is operated. If the button 82 is operated, the process proceeds to the measurement process in step S12. If not, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, it waits for the calibrator (light projection / calibration unit 123) to be rotated to the calibration position of FIG.

  When the calibrator (light projecting / calibration unit 123) is rotated to the calibration position of FIG. 2, the illuminance (brightness) around the optical head 12 is measured in step S6, and is dark enough not to interfere with the calibration process. It is determined whether or not it is in a state. The illuminance (brightness) around the optical head 12 is measured by using a light receiving element or an exposure measuring element provided in the light receiving measurement optical system 121, or a dedicated optical sensor is provided in the vicinity of the optical head 12. This may be measured.

  If step S6 is negative, that is, if the periphery of the optical head 12 is bright, it is determined in step S7 whether the light shielding box 15 is attached. If the light shielding box 15 is attached, a message requesting to darken the room is displayed on the display unit 142 in step S8. If the light shielding box 15 is not attached, the light shielding box 15 (or the light shielding box 15 (or step S9)) is displayed. Further, a message requesting to install the light shielding curtain 16) or to darken the room is displayed, and the process loops to step S6.

  As described above, when step S6 is affirmative, that is, when a dark state is formed so as not to interfere with the calibration process, a predetermined calibration process is performed using the calibrator (light projection / calibration unit 123) in step S10. To do. At this time, the light projecting light source unit 200 of the light projecting / calibrating unit 123 illuminates the calibration plate made of the standard diffusion plate or the like, and the received light measurement optical system 121 performs scattered light measurement.

  When the calibration process is completed, the calibration end date and time is stored in the RAM 103 or other nonvolatile memory in step S11. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the measurement process in step S12.

  In step S12, each part necessary for the measurement process is initialized and the measurement process is executed. Although explicit illustration is omitted in FIG. 7, in the measurement process of step S12, the same determination loop as that shown in step S5 is naturally executed, and the calibrator (light projection / calibration unit 123) is executed. It is checked whether or not it is located at the measurement position of FIG. 1, and if the calibrator (light projecting / calibration unit 123) is located at the calibration position of FIG. 2, it waits for it to be returned to the measurement position. .

  In step S13, the elapsed time from the previous calibration is checked, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined period (same as in step S2) has elapsed since the previous calibration. If a predetermined period or more has elapsed since the previous calibration, in step S14 it is indicated that there is a possibility that the reliability of the measurement value has been lowered. Add a mark to memorize. When the measurement value data with this mark (reliability reduction mark) is output (output on the display unit 142 or output by a printer not shown), the measurement value data is displayed with a specific symbol display, etc. By performing the display control, the user reliably distinguishes between the measurement result obtained by performing the proper calibration and the measurement result obtained without performing the proper calibration (for example, when the measurement is forced by the button 82 in FIG. 8). be able to.

  In step S15, the user determines whether or not to continue the measurement, and the operation unit 14 performs an appropriate operation according to the determination. At this stage, if a specific symbol (mark) display is output together with the measured value data on the display unit 142 (or print output) as described above, the user sees this symbol display and continues measurement. It can be determined whether or not to operate, and the operation unit 14 can be operated. Here, when the measurement is continued as it is, the process loops to step S12, and when the measurement is stopped, the process is ended.

  During the calibration process (step S12 in FIG. 7), the progress of the calibration process is displayed on the display unit 142 as shown in FIG. When the calibration process is completed, the calibration result is displayed on the display unit 142 as shown in FIG.

  In the display example of FIG. 9, the calibration process is performed in three stages (Step 1 to Step 3) denoted by reference numerals 91 to 93. In the first Step 1 (91), the shutter (not shown) of the light receiving measurement optical system 121 is closed, and the dark current of the light receiving element 107 configured by a photomultiplier tube (PMT) included in the light receiving measurement optical system 121 is measured. To do.

  In the next Step 2 (92), the received light amount corresponding to the brightness around the apparatus is measured with the shutter of the received light measuring optical system 121 opened. In this measurement, after confirming that the ambient brightness of the apparatus in step S6 is suitable for the calibration process (the brightness is about the same as that of the semi-dark room without the light shielding box 15), the calibration process is performed. As part of it.

  In Step 3 (93), the shutter of the light receiving measurement optical system 121 is opened, the illumination light source 108 (laser element 203 in FIGS. 12 and 13) is controlled, and the calibration plate 201 is scanned two-dimensionally. Particle measurement is performed with the shutter open.

  As shown in FIG. 9, during the calibration process, the step being executed is highlighted by a reverse display or the like, and a message prompting the user to wait for a while and the process are displayed as a whole (or for each step). ) Display the percentage of progress.

  When the calibration process is completed, the status display 94 at the bottom of the screen is switched to a count value (for example, the number of photons counted by the photomultiplier tube (PMT)) for displaying the calibration process result as shown in FIG. Further, a button 95 for selecting whether to store the calibration result in order to reflect it in the actual measurement process is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

  With the above control, the user can be urged to perform calibration work at appropriate intervals. If the period for performing the calibration has elapsed, the user can easily perform the calibration work simply by moving the light projecting / calibration unit. Also, the user can perform the calibration even if the period for performing the calibration has elapsed. Can force measurement by a predetermined operation. Further, the measurement value obtained by the forced measurement in this way can be stored or displayed / printed out with a predetermined mark (reliability reduction mark) added thereto, so that the user can measure the measurement value. Can be appropriately evaluated. Furthermore, it is possible to perform light shielding by a light shielding box or a light shielding curtain, adjustment of room illuminance, and the like according to the brightness in the vicinity of the optical head.

  The present invention is applied to various ophthalmic examination apparatuses that use calibration means that is arranged and used at a calibration position equivalent to the position to be occupied by the eye to be inspected with respect to the apparatus body as a measurement object for calibration of ophthalmic measurement. be able to.

It is the perspective view which showed the structure of the ophthalmic examination apparatus which employ | adopted this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the structure of the ophthalmic examination apparatus which employ | adopted this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the structure of the ophthalmic examination apparatus which employ | adopted this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the structure of the ophthalmic examination apparatus which employ | adopted this invention. It is the top view which showed the structure of the ophthalmic examination apparatus which employ | adopted this invention. It is the side view which showed the structure of the ophthalmic examination apparatus which employ | adopted this invention. It is the flowchart figure which showed the control procedure of the ophthalmic examination apparatus which employ | adopted this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of a display in the ophthalmic examination apparatus which employ | adopted this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of a display in the ophthalmic examination apparatus which employ | adopted this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of a display in the ophthalmic examination apparatus which employ | adopted this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the control system of the ophthalmic examination apparatus which employ | adopted this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the structure of the principal part of the ophthalmic examination apparatus which employ | adopted this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the structure of the principal part of the ophthalmic examination apparatus which employ | adopted this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main body 11 Mount 12 Optical head 13 Chin 14 Operation part 15 Shading box 16 Shading curtain 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 104 Interface circuit 105 Motor / solenoid 106 Sensor 107 Light receiving element 108 Illumination light source 121 Light reception measurement optical system 122 Observation optical system 123 Light projection / calibration unit 124 Support | pillar 126 Window 142 Display part 143 Keyboard 200 Projection light source part 201 Calibration board 202 Calibration mirror 203 Laser Element 204 Lens Group 205 Scanning Mirror 206 Mirror

Claims (6)

In an ophthalmologic measurement apparatus that irradiates the eye with a laser beam, collects and scans within the anterior chamber, analyzes the scattered light from the anterior chamber and performs a predetermined ophthalmic measurement,
As a measurement object for the calibration of the ophthalmic measurement, a calibration means that is used by being arranged at a calibration position equivalent to the position to be occupied by the eye to be examined with respect to the apparatus main body,
A support means for supporting the calibration means movably to the calibration position or the storage position with respect to the apparatus main body ,
When the calibration process using the calibration unit has not been executed for a predetermined period or longer, the ophthalmic measurement is started on the condition of the calibration process, and the ophthalmic measurement is performed without performing the calibration process according to a predetermined user operation. An ophthalmic measurement apparatus that stores or outputs a measurement result in association with a mark for indicating that there is a possibility that the reliability of a measurement value is lowered when forced .   2. The same light projecting light source is also used as a light projecting unit that scans an eye to be examined in the ophthalmic measurement and a light projecting unit that illuminates the calibration unit in a calibration process using the calibration unit. An ophthalmologic measuring apparatus according to 1.   2. The ophthalmologic measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a calibration process using the calibration unit is started on the condition that the calibration unit is moved to the calibration position.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for measuring an elapsed time from a previous calibration process using the calibration means, and prompting the user to perform the calibration process when the calibration process has not been executed for a predetermined period or longer. An ophthalmologic measuring apparatus according to 1.   The ophthalmic measurement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a removable light-shielding unit configured to shield ambient light from the surroundings so as not to affect the measurement unit of the apparatus. Detecting the brightness of ambient light in the vicinity of the measurement unit, and prompting the user to install the light shielding means when the brightness of the ambient light is greater than a predetermined value and the light shielding means is not installed. The ophthalmic measurement apparatus according to claim 5 .

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